Open AccessFrom Playroom to Lab: Tough Stretchable Electronics Analyzed with a Tabletop Tensile Tester Made from Toy‐Bricks
Author(s) -
Moser Richard,
Kettlgruber Gerald,
Siket Christian M.,
Drack Michael,
Graz Ingrid M.,
Cakmak Umut,
Major Zoltan,
Kaltenbrunner Martin,
Bauer Siegfried
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.201500396
Subject(s) - conformable matrix , electronics , microelectronics , elastomer , stretchable electronics , materials science , mechanical engineering , computer science , nanotechnology , electrical engineering , engineering , composite material
Toy bricks are an ideal platform for the cost‐effective rapid prototyping of a tabletop tensile tester with measurement accuracy on par with expensive, commercially available laboratory equipment. Here, a tester is presented that is not only a versatile demonstration device in mechanics, electronics, and physics education and an eye‐catcher on exhibitions, but also a powerful tool for stretchable electronics research. Following the “open‐source movement” the build‐up of the tester is described and all the details for easy reproduction are disclosed. A a new design of highly conformable all‐elastomer based graded rigid island printed circuit boards is developed. Tough bonded to this elastomer substrate are imperceptible electronic foils bearing conductors and off‐the‐shelf microelectronics, paving the way for next generation smart electronic appliances.