Development of an electronic element that can stick to rough surfaces

Image: (left) Using cilia structure, electronic print was made on a fabric. (center) Close up image. (right) Microscopy image of cilia forming around a thin-film polyimide substrate.

A research team led by GIST Professor Heung Cho Ko has developed an electronic element that can stick to rough surface, such as rocks and fabrics. This electronic element has fine hair-like structures called cilia. The cilia can grab on to anything.

This technology can be used in various wearable technology, medical, and environmental monitoring sensors. The printable transfers are eco-friendly and can benefit the advancement of user interface and IoT technologies as a core technology platform for a hyperconnected society.

Their paper entitled "Robust and stretchable indium gallium zinc oxide-based electronic textiles formed by cilia-assisted transfer printing" was published in Nature Communications on June 1, 2016.