Directly photo-patternable, conductive, stretchable PEDOT:PSS

The Zhenan Bao Research Group at Stanford University developed and manufactured a photo-curable, directly patternable, stretchable, and highly conductive polymer that is ideal for bioelectronic applications, and stretchable electronic devices. PEDOT:PSS (Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)) is the most widely used conductive polymer for wearables and implantable electronics, but device fabrication requires lengthy and tedious indirect patterning and dry etch processes. Bao's researchers use Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) as the supplement to formulate a highly conductive, stretchable, and directly photo patternable PEDOT:PSS. They've successfully patterned (figure 1) and manufactured stretchable electronic devices (figure 2) using their material and manufacturing process.

Stage of Development – Proof of Concept
The Bao Research Group fabricated and tested large-scale antennae (figure 2) using the material and manufacturing method. Next steps include scaling up material production and device fabrication processes for industrial manufacturing.

Additional related upcoming stretchable electronics innovations from the Bao Research Group include:
• A method to fabricate large area, high-resolution stretchable electronics via laser to directly transform and pattern synthesized or commercial polymer materials. (Stanford Docket S18-163.)

• A process for direct photo-patterning electronic polymers that improves device density of elastic circuits over 100x. (Stanford docket S19-138.)

• A stretchable, transparent conductor device based on photo crosslinked PEDOT:PSS with high electrical conductivity, stretchability, and direct photo patternability. (Stanford docket S20-489.)