Robotic Flexible Electronics with Self-Bendable Films

Abstract

Mechanical flexibility introduced in functional electronic devices has allowed electronics to avoid mechanical breakage, conform to nonplanar surfaces, or attach to deformable surfaces, leading to greatly expanded applications, and some research efforts have already led to commercialization. However, most of these devices are passively bendable by external driving forces. Actively bendable flexible thin film devices can be applied to new fields with new functionalities. Here, we report robotic flexible electronics with actively self-bendable flexible films that can serve as a platform for flexible electronics and other applications with the capability of reversible bending and unbending by electrical control. Experimental studies along with mechanical modeling enable the predictable and reversible transformation into different structures by adjusting the design parameters. Demonstrations for self-bendable flexible displays and soft robotic hands prove the feasibility of the concept.