Flexible Electronics Inspired By Plants

A plant stem has inspired researchers to develop a versatile aerogel that could be used in bendable devices.

AsianScientist (Jun. 28, 2017) – In a study published in ACS Nano, researchers have found that mimicking the structure of the powdery alligator-flag plant (Thalia dealbata) has enabled them to make a graphene-based aerogel that is both strong and flexible.

Versatile, light-weight materials that are both strong and resilient are crucial for the development of flexible electronics, such as bendable tablets and wearable sensors. Aerogels are good candidates for such applications, but until now, it’s been difficult to make them with both properties.

Aerogels are already used in many applications, such as pollution control and insulation. To create a better aerogel for potential incorporation into bendable electronics, Assistant Professor Zhang Bai and colleagues from Zhejiang University took inspiration from the stem structure of the powdery alligator-flag plant, a strong, lean plant capable of withstanding harsh winds.

The team used a bidirectional freezing technique that they previously developed to assemble a new type of biomimetic graphene aerogel that had an architecture like that of the plant’s stem. When tested, the material supported 6,000 times its own weight and maintained its strength after intensive compression trials.

They also put the aerogel in a circuit with an LED and found it could potentially work as a component of a flexible device. The researchers say that the approach could help them improve other types of materials in the future.


The article can be found at: Yang et al. (2017) Biomimetic Architectured Graphene Aerogel with Exceptional Strength and Resilience.

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Source: American Chemical Society.
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