Computational Mechanics for Flexible and Wearable Electronics

The flexible and wearable electronics system is an emerging technology for next-generation electronics. This type of electronics system can geometrically accommodate large mechanical deformations without imparting significant strains and stress in the materials from which it is constructed. Potential applications of this technology include flexible sensors, communicative packaging, transmitters and new photovoltaic and microfluidic devices, as well as areas of medicine and athletics for which flexible and conformable electronics are required. Computational Mechanics studies reveal many of the key underlying aspects of these systems and can establish important design criteria concerning device failure. For example, results are used to indicate the maximum strain or stress in a system, or the critical strain for buckling, etc. Furthermore, studies are made to optimize mechanics and materials for circuits that exhibit maximum stretchability.