Crack-induced Ag nanowire networks for transparent, stretchable, and highly sensitive strain sensors.

Crack-based strain sensor systems have been known for its high sensitivity, but suffer from the small fracture strain of the thin metal films employed in the sensor which results in its negligible stretchability. Herein, we fabricated a transparent (>90% at 550 nm wavelength), stretchable (up to 100%), and sensitive (gauge factor (GF) of 30 at 100% strain) strain gauge by depositing an encapsulated crack-induced Ag nanowire (AgNW) network on a hydroxylated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) film. Stretching the encapsulated AgNWs/PDMS resulted in the formation of a percolation network of nanowire ligaments with abundant percolation paths.

Silver Nanowire/Colorless-Polyimide Composite Electrode: Application in Flexible and Transparent Resistive Switching Memory.

Improving the performance of resistive switching memories, while providing high transparency and excellent mechanical stability, has been of great interest because of the emerging need for electronic wearable devices. However, it remains a great challenge to fabricate fully flexible and transparent resistive switching memories because not enough research on flexible and transparent electrodes, for their application in resistive switching memories, has been conducted. Therefore, it has not been possible to obtain a nonvolatile memory with commercial applications.

Highly Stretchable and Waterproof Electroluminescence Device Based on Superstable Stretchable Transparent Electrode.

Realization of devices with enhanced stretchability and waterproof properties will significantly expand the reach of electronics. To this end, we herein fabricate an elastic transparent conductor that comprises silver nanowires (AgNWs) on a hydroxylated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate covered by polyurethane urea (PUU), which is fully compatible with both materials. Carboxylic acid groups of PUU was designed to form hydrogen bonds with the carbonyl groups of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) on the AgNW surface, resulting in an enhanced affinity of AgNWs for PUU.