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The National University of Singapore (NUS) has developed the Bilayer Liquid-Solid Conductor (BiLiSC), a revolutionary development in stretchable electronics. Imagine a sensor patch seamlessly stretching to monitor patient recovery or an unbreakable wearable safeguarding runners during intense workouts; these possibilities are now within reach because of BiLiSC.
This super-flexible, self-healing, and highly conductive material holds the promise of transforming the landscape of wearable technology, soft robotics, smart devices, and beyond. BiLiSC’s exceptional property lies in its ability to stretch up to an astounding 22 times its original length without compromising its electrical conductivity.
This remarkable feat in electrical-mechanical compatibility not only enhances the comfort of wearing smart devices but also broadens the horizon of possibilities for its applications, especially in the realm of healthcare wearables.
Professor Lim Chwee Teck, leader of the research team and Director of the NUS Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, sheds light on the motivation behind this groundbreaking innovation. According to him, they have developed this technology in response to the need for circuitry with robust performance, functionality, and yet ‘unbreakable’ for next-generation wearable, robotic, and smart devices.
“The liquid metal circuitry using BiLiSC allows these devices to withstand large deformation and even self-heal to ensure electronic and functional integrity,” said Professor Lim. The research team, a part of the Department of Biomedical Engineering under the NUS College of Design and Engineering, has indeed created a game-changer.
BiLiSC comprises two distinct layers, each with its unique set of capabilities. The first layer consists of a self-assembled pure liquid metal, ensuring high conductivity even under extreme strain. This remarkable property minimises energy loss during power transmission and signal degradation during data transmission. Hence, it ensures that the electronic heartbeat of wearable devices remains strong and unwavering.
The second layer is where BiLiSC truly shines. It consists of a composite material housing liquid metal microparticles that possess the remarkable ability to repair themselves after sustaining damage. When a crack or tear occurs, the liquid metal flows out from the microparticles, effectively bridging the gap and allowing the material to heal itself almost instantaneously. This miraculous self-healing quality ensures that BiLiSC maintains its high conductivity, even in the face of adversity.
What makes this innovation even more promising is its scalability and cost-effectiveness. The NUS team has found a way to fabricate BiLiSC in a manner that is not only commercially viable but also cost-efficient. This means that the benefits of this technology can potentially reach a wider audience, making it more accessible and affordable.
The significance of this technological breakthrough cannot be overstated. The NUS team has successfully demonstrated that BiLiSC can be utilised in a multitude of electrical components for wearable electronics. This includes pressure sensors, interconnections, wearable heaters, and even wearable antennas for wireless communication.
In laboratory experiments, a robotic arm equipped with BiLiSC interconnections showcased remarkable responsiveness to minute changes in pressure. Besides, the bending and twisting motion of the robotic arm did not hinder the transmission of signals, in stark contrast to non-BiLiSC counterparts.
The NUS team is already hard at work on further material innovation and process fabrication. Their ultimate goal is to engineer an improved version of BiLiSC that can be printed directly without the need for templates. This advancement would not only reduce production costs but also enhance the precision in fabricating BiLiSC, paving the way for even more revolutionary applications.
