Toward Imperceptible Electronics That You Cannot See or Feel
January 11, 2021 | Osaka UniversityEstimated reading time: 1 minute

Transparent electronics—such as head-up displays that allow pilots to read flight data while keeping their eyes ahead of them—improve safety and allow users to access data while in transit. For healthcare applications, the electronics need to not only be cheap and straightforward to fabricate, but also sufficiently flexible to conform to skin. Silver nanowire networks meet these criteria. However, current methods of development create random nanowire alignment that's insufficient for advanced applications.
In an upcoming study in Advanced Intelligent Systems, researchers from Osaka University have used high-resolution printing to fabricate centimeter-scale cross-aligned silver nanowire arrays, with reproducible feature sizes from 20 to 250 micrometers. As a proof-of-concept for functionality, they used their arrays to detect electrophysiological signals from plants.
The researchers first created a patterned polymer surface to define the subsequent nanowire feature size. Using a glass rod to sweep silver nanowires across the pattern led to either parallel or cross-aligned nanowire networks, depending on the direction of the sweep. Nanowire cross-alignment, alignment within the pattern, and electro-optical properties were impressive.
"The sheet resistance of patterns less than 100 micrometers ranged from 25 to 170 ohms per square, and the visible light transmittance at 550 nanometers was 96% to 99%," says Teppei Araki, co-senior author. "These values are well-suited for transparent electronics."
The researchers showed off the utility of their technology by monitoring the electric potential of Brazilian waterweed leaves. Because the nanowire arrays are transparent, the researchers were able to keep the leaf under visual observation while acquiring data over long periods of time. A 2- to 3-micrometer-thick device conformed to the surface of a leaf without causing damage.
"Our microelectrodes-based organic field-effect transistors exhibited excellent multi-fuctionality," says Tsuyoshi Sekitani, co-senior author. "For example, transparency of 90%, the on–off ratio was ~106, and the leakage current remained stable upon bending at a radius of 8 millimeters."
Transparent electronics is an emerging technology. It must be simple and inexpensive to mass-produce for biomedicine, civil engineering, agriculture, and other applications that require underlying visual observation. The advance described here is an important step in that direction. The Osaka University researchers plan on making further technical improvements, such as incorporating graphene onto the nanowire’s surface. This will improve the uniformity of the microelectrodes' sheet resistance. Ultimately, the researchers' technology will help minimize the raw material input of electronics, and exceed the functionality of conventional non-transparent electronics.
Read the original article, here.
Suggested Items
Delta Electronics Thailand Ranked Among Asia’s Top Corporates at the Alpha Southeast Asia 15th Institutional Investor Awards
07/14/2025 | Delta ElectronicsDelta Electronics (Thailand) Public Company Limited, a global leader in power management and smart green solutions, has been recognized by global investors for its excellence in investor relations and corporate governance, earning top ranking in the “Most Improved Investor Relations” at the Alpha Southeast Asia 15th Annual Institutional Investor Awards for Corporates, held on June 30, 2025, in Singapore.
Kimball Electronics' Pride Month Celebrations
07/14/2025 | Kimball ElectronicsAt Kimball Electronics, we believe in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and belonging. This June, our global teams came together to celebrate PRIDE Month with meaningful actions that reflect our commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.
NOTE Posts Interim Report for Q2 2025
07/14/2025 | NOTENOTE reports stable second-quarter results for 2025 with continued profitability and strong cash flow, reaffirming its growth strategy despite a challenging market environment.
Scanfil, MB Elettronica to Join Forces
07/14/2025 | ScanfilFinnish Scanfil, the largest European stock exchange listed Electronic Manufacturing Service company in terms of turnover, and Italian MB Elettronica (“MB”) from Cortona Arezzo have agreed to join forces.
PCBAA’s David Schild: Where U.S. Electronics Manufacturing Stands Today
07/14/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007As the U.S. Congress looks toward a summer break, David Schild of PCBAA discusses the growing momentum in U.S. electronics manufacturing policy, emphasizing bipartisan support for reshoring efforts, the importance of targeted tax incentives, and the challenges posed by global competition. He highlights PCBAA’s growth, advocacy on Capitol Hill, and the need for sustained investment to revitalize the PCB industry.