Design and performance of metal conductors for stretchable electronic circuits
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an update on the progress of the design and reliability of stretchable interconnections for electronic circuits.
Design/methodology/approach
Finite element modelling (FEM) is used to analyse the physical behaviour of stretchable interconnects under different loading conditions. The fatigue life of a copper interconnect embedded into a silicone matrix has been evaluated using the Coffin‐Manson relation and FEM.
Findings
The mechanical properties of the substrate and the design of the metal interconnection play an important role on the fatigue lifetime of circuit. In the case of copper embedded into a PDMS Sylgard 186, more than 2,500 tensile cycles have been observed for a periodic deformation of 10 per cent.
Research limitations/implications
Reliability results are limited and need further work to create a more accurate empirical model to estimate the lifetime of stretchable interconnections.
Originality/value
The combined use of FEM and experimental analysis enable a more reliable design of the stretchable metal interconnections. The proposed horseshoe design offers the benefit of reduced permanent damage during elongation.
Keywords
Citation
Gonzalez, M., Axisa, F., Bossuyt, F., Hsu, Y., Vandevelde, B. and Vanfleteren, J. (2009), "Design and performance of metal conductors for stretchable electronic circuits", Circuit World, Vol. 35 No. 1, pp. 22-29. https://doi.org/10.1108/03056120910928699
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Company