High Density Soft Bioeelctronic Fibers

Stanford researchers have developed a method for manufacturing high quality multifunctional soft electronic fibers based on conventional microfabrication techniques.

Electronic fibers, with electronic components integrated into one-dimensional form, present a wide range of opportunities for applications across various fields, from consumer electronics to healthcare and more. Their unique one-dimensional structure allows for more compactness and deformability compared to 2D and 3D systems. Unfortunately, currently available electronic fibers are manufactured through complex processes, such as fiber spinning, 3D printing, microfluidics, and thermal drawing. As a result, they suffer from bulkiness, rigidity, and low density and imprecise positioning of active components.

Stanford researchers have devised a strategy to manufacture high density and versatile electronic fibers by transforming microfabricated 2D films into 1D fibers using spiral transformation. This approach takes advantage of well-established microfabrication techniques developed for planar substrates, simplifying the manufacturing process while giving precise control of positions of the active components. The researchers have demonstrated that centimeter-scale 2D thin films with micro-patterned components can be rolled into micro-scale electronic fibers. They have successfully built and tested electronic fibers for gastrointestinal monitoring/stimulation and neural recording. This new manufacturing method can make electronic fibers more accessible for a wide range of applications.

Figure Caption: 2D-to-1D transformed fiber