Printable, stretchable metal-vapor-desorption layers for high-fidelity patterning in soft, freeform electronics.

High-fidelity patterning of thin metal films on arbitrary soft substrates promises integrated circuits and devices that can significantly augment the morphological functionalities of freeform electronics. However, existing patterning methods that decisively rely on prefabricated rigid masks are severely incompatible with myriad surfaces. Here, we report printable, stretchable metal-vapor-desorption layers (s-MVDLs) that can enable high-fidelity patterning of thin metal films on freeform polymeric surfaces.