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Scientists Discover Way to Send Information into Black Holes Without Using Energy

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This Ultra-Thin Gold Film Can Stretch 300% & Monitor Your Heart In Real Time

In recent years, wearable and implantable electronics have emerged as game-changers in healthcare, fitness, and human-machine interfaces. From fitness trackers and smartwatches to advanced medical devices like implantable nerve stimulators, these technologies require electronics that are not only small and lightweight but also flexible enough to conform to the complex shapes of the human body.

One of the biggest challenges in this field has been developing conductors—the materials that carry electricity—that are both extremely thin and stretchable, without losing their electrical performance. Traditional metal wires are excellent conductors, but they are rigid and prone to breaking when stretched. Soft materials, on the other hand, can stretch but often conduct electricity poorly. Achieving a balance between mechanical flexibility and electrical stability has been a major obstacle for researchers.

Now, a team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, led by Zhi Jiang, has made a significant breakthrough. They have developed ultra-thin, stretchable conductors made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and gold, which could transform the future of on-skin and implantable electronics.

The Science Behind Stretchable Conductors

PDMS is a soft, rubber-like material commonly used in flexible electronics due to its elasticity and biocompatibility. Gold, on the other hand, is an excellent conductor and is widely used in electronics because it does not corrode. Combining these two materials, however, is tricky. If a gold film is deposited on a soft PDMS surface, it tends to crack under stress, breaking the electrical connection.

The NTU team overcame this problem by creating a controlled pattern of microscopic cracks in the gold layer. Here’s how they did it:

  1. They first created a thin PDMS layer, only 1.2 micrometers thick (a micrometer is one-thousandth of a millimeter).

  2. They deposited a 50-nanometer-thick gold layer onto this PDMS.

  3. During fabrication, the thin PDMS was supported by a much thicker PDMS layer (100 micrometers) placed on glass.

  4. The thicker PDMS expands and contracts with heat, causing the gold layer on the thin PDMS to develop a network of microcracks.

These microcracks are not flaws—they are actually essential to the conductor’s performance. When the material is stretched, the cracks can open and close like tiny springs, allowing the conductor to stretch up to 300% of its original length without losing conductivity.

Breathable, Water-Resistant On-Skin Electronics

Using these PDMS-gold conductors, the researchers created ultra-thin on-skin electrodes that stick to the skin comfortably and can monitor vital signs continuously. Unlike traditional electrodes, which can feel sticky, bulky, and irritating over time, these new electrodes are:

  • Breathable, allowing sweat to evaporate and preventing skin irritation.

  • Water-resistant, making them suitable for use during exercise or in humid environments.

  • Extremely thin, at around 1.3 micrometers, almost invisible on the skin.

These electrodes successfully recorded electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, which are crucial for monitoring heart health. This opens the door to continuous, non-invasive heart monitoring for patients with cardiovascular conditions, without the discomfort of traditional electrodes.

Sensitive Sensors for Gentle Touch Detection

Beyond heart monitoring, the PDMS-gold conductors can also be used to make mechanical sensors that are thinner than 3 micrometers. These sensors are sensitive enough to detect tiny forces, such as a gentle touch or subtle movements of the skin.

This capability could lead to a new generation of smart wearable devices that respond to touch or pressure. For example, imagine gloves that allow you to control devices through subtle finger movements, or patches that monitor muscle activity and provide feedback for rehabilitation.

Implantable Nerve Electrodes for Medical Applications

One of the most exciting applications is in implantable electronics. The researchers demonstrated that these conductors could be used to create nerve electrodes that can:

  • Record electrical signals from nerves.

  • Provide stimulation to nerves to restore or enhance function.

Because the conductors are ultra-thin and soft, they can form a seamless interface with delicate nerve tissues without causing damage or discomfort. This is a significant improvement over conventional electrodes, which are often rigid and can lead to tissue irritation over time.

These advances have potential applications in treating neurological disorders, restoring motor function after injuries, and even developing advanced prosthetic devices that respond to nerve signals naturally.

Why This Breakthrough Matters

The development of PDMS-gold stretchable conductors is a major step forward in the field of flexible electronics. Here’s why:

  1. Ultra-thin and Stretchable: They combine extreme thinness with exceptional elasticity, allowing electronics to conform to complex surfaces like skin and organs.

  2. Durable and Reliable: The microcracked gold structure ensures consistent electrical conductivity, even under repeated stretching.

  3. Versatile Applications: From on-skin health monitors to implantable nerve electrodes, these conductors can be used in a wide range of devices.

  4. Patient Comfort: Breathable, water-resistant, and soft materials improve user experience and long-term wearability.

  5. Future Innovations: These materials lay the groundwork for next-generation bioelectronics, including smart textiles, medical implants, and human-machine interfaces.

Looking Ahead

This research represents a significant leap in bioelectronics, making electronics more compatible with the human body than ever before. The combination of PDMS and gold, engineered with microcracks, offers a practical solution to the long-standing problem of creating electronics that are both flexible and electrically stable.

In the future, we can expect to see:

  • Smart wearable patches that continuously monitor vital signs without discomfort.

  • Implantable devices for nerve repair and stimulation.

  • Flexible touch-sensitive electronics integrated into clothing or prosthetics.

  • Medical devices that can adapt to the body’s movements naturally, reducing complications and improving patient outcomes.

With this breakthrough, NTU researchers have paved the way for electronics that truly move with the body, unlocking new possibilities in healthcare, robotics, and beyond. The era of ultra-thin, stretchable, and wearable electronics is no longer a distant dream—it’s becoming a reality.

Reference: Jiang, Z., Chen, N., Yi, Z. et al. A 1.3-micrometre-thick elastic conductor for seamless on-skin and implantable sensors. Nat Electron 5, 784–793 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41928-022-00868-x

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