K. PACHECO, M. DE KOK, J. VAN DEN BRAND, G. VAN HECK Holst Centre/TNO, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
As electronics become more abundant and fulfill an increasing role supporting our life with communication, sensing, etc. integration into our world in an unobtrusive way is necessary. Integration into materials which are surrounding us like textile or thin, foil based, conformable systems, which can even be worn to the body, are possible options. Foil materials are thin and compatible with technologies like printing, lasering and (organic) electronic functionalities like light generation (Light Emitting Diodes, OLEDS), detection (organic photodiodes, OPD) can be incorporated) or organic photovoltaic cells, OPV). Interconnection of these elements to textile or stretchable carriers in order to create a conformable system is challenging.
This system should withstand the mechanicals constraints in dynamic use and demand reliable mechanical and electrical interconnections. The bonding process was studied comprising the boundary conditions in temperature and pressure for the organic components. Reliability was tested for accelerated humidity/ temperature conditions as well as dynamic flexing of the composed systems. Inspiring demonstrators will convince the possible applications areas like energy harvesting textiles, phototherapy clothing and smart medical bandages.
