Transparent, flexible touchpad handles the stretch

Transparent, flexible touchpad handles the stretch
A group of scientists from Seoul National University have demonstrated a stretchable touch pad as part of research that aims to tackle some of the problems associated with existing flexible electronics. The soft touch panel can be stretched extensively and maintain its touch sensitivity, while other approaches have seen reactivity decline with use.

The approach, detailed in a paper published in the journal Science, uses polyacrylamide hydrogels (cross-linked polymers swollen with water) that are transparent and contain trapped LiCL (Lithium chloride) to enhance conductivity. 

Researchers believe that the growing importance of human-computer interactions means in the future touch panels will need to be stretchable.

They also suggest that biocompatibility will become important to allow integration with the human body.

Access article in Science


Via IEEE Spectrum
 





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