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Diagram of a curvature-adjustable imager.


grated electronics, optoelectronics, p-n junction devices and many oth- ers also require an n-type semicon- ductor.”


N-type semiconductors con-


duct electricity primarily through negative electrons car- rying the charge, and in combi- nation with p-type semiconduc- tors, they can act as a switch, with current flowing in one direc- tion. They are often rigid, and certain strategies to make them more mechanically stretchy are needed to achieve completely stretchable transistors and cir- cuits with n-type semiconduc- tors, according to Yu.


Elastomer Sandwich To address this issue, the re-


searchers sandwiched the n-type semiconductor between two rub- bery materials known as elas-


stretchy elastic semiconductors, the core material needed to enable integrated circuits that are critical to the technology enabling our computers, phones and so much more, but these semiconductors are mainly p-type,” says Yu, refer- ring to a material that conducts electricity primarily through posi- tively charged movable holes. “However, complementary inte-


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tomers, which are polymers that can stretch and snap back to their original shape. “We found that the stack ar-


chitecture improves mechanical stretchability and suppresses the formation and propagation of mi- crocracks in the intrinsically brit- tle n-type semiconductor,” Yu says, explaining that microcracks are tiny structure defects that ap- pear when the n-type semiconduc- tor is stretched. They can degrade electrical performance and lead to mechanical failure. The team put the stack


through a gauntlet of stress and stability tests, all of which it passed with flying colors, Yu said.


September 2023 Stretchy Integrated Electronics


They also used the stack to fabri- cate stretchy transistors and inte- grated electronic systems. The stability in an ambient


environment is particularly use- ful, according to Yu, because n- type semiconductors can lose ef- ficiency with exposure to oxygen and moisture. Sandwiched be- tween elastomers, the semicon- ductor is effectively encapsulated against the elements. Next, Yu said, the team will


continue to work to improve the performances of the stacked ma- terials and optimize the layer configuration to further reduce the density of microcracks. Web: www.psu.edu r


EV Revolution Could Put Continued from page 1


adoption of electric vehicles is poised to play a major role in this reduction. As Benjamin explains, a re-


duction in gas-powered cars will be especially beneficial to com- munities of color and/or low-in- come communities who have been disproportionately harmed by environmental burdens. Despite all of the ways that


Native Communities at Risk one of the largest deposits of lithium in the world. There are also deposits in Oregon, Nevada, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Arkansas. The vast majority of nickel, copper, and lithium are located within 35 miles of Indian reservations. “The deposits hap- pen to be either in or really near tribal lands from reservations,” says Benjamin.


greater adoption of electric vehi- cle use is making a positive dif- ference, there are potential nega- tive impacts. According to a White House


fact sheet, the clean energy tran- sition is expected to drive up global demand for key minerals essential for EV batteries, such as lithium, graphite, cobalt, and nickel by 400 to 600 percent. According to Benjamin, Im- perial Valley in California has


Regulations Needed In order to prevent further


harm to Native communities, Benjamin urges the Bureau of Land Management to adopt stricter requirements prohibiting mining not only at sacred sites on reservations but also in any adjacent areas deemed culturally important. One area of focus is an update to the 1872 General Mining Act which, writes Ben-


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Tech-Op-Ed .............................4 Tech Watch ...........................10 People......................................12 Business News.......................14 Business Briefs......................15 Management............................16 EMS ........................................18 Electronic Mfg. Prods..............28 Production...............................54 Partnering................................56 Distribution..............................58 New Products.........................82 High-Tech Events...................92 2023 Editorial Calendar...........92 Advertisers Index....................94


Product Preview: The Battery Show............ 72


Special Focus: Production and


Automation................................60 See at The Battery Show, Booth 311


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