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According to the Daily Scientific Network, the dream of flexible smartphones and tablets has long captivated consumers. However, traditional electronic components like chips and displays are typically made from metals and inorganic semiconductors, which are rigid and inflexible. To address this challenge, scientists have turned to plastics—specifically polymers—as a more flexible alternative. While flexible electronics have been developed using these materials, their electrical conductivity has remained limited. Recently, American researchers introduced a groundbreaking theory and formula that significantly enhances the electrical properties of plastic semiconductors. Published in the "Journal of the National Academy of Sciences," this advancement could accelerate the development of truly flexible electronic devices.
The journey began in the late 1970s when three scientists discovered that certain polymers, previously thought to be non-conductive, could conduct electricity under specific conditions. This breakthrough earned them the 2000 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Since then, researchers have aimed to harness the unique electrical properties of polymers to create durable, bendable electronic devices.
However, practical experiments with polymer semiconductors revealed an issue: they exhibited "abnormal transport behavior," where the flow of electrons through different parts of the material was inconsistent. Andrew Spakcz, a professor of chemical engineering at Stanford University, explained the problem: "Polymers can be easily bent or stretched, but at the molecular level, they resemble a tangled bowl of pasta. This irregular structure is very different from the more uniform arrangements found in silicon and other inorganic semiconductors. Such inconsistencies significantly affect the conductivity of polymer-based devices."
Spakcz, along with Roberto Noriega from the University of California and Alberto Serreio from Stanford University, developed the first theoretical model that accounts for this complex, multi-phase structure of polymers. Their goal is to better understand, predict, and enhance the conductivity of semiconducting polymers. Using this model, the team discovered that the conductivity varies across different regions of the polymer. They explained that the variation depends on whether the polymer's components are mixed together like a tangled mess or remain more aligned, even when curved—similar to a straight highway versus a winding road.
This entangled structure, which allows flexibility, also weakens the material’s ability to conduct electricity. The new model helps researchers find a balance between flexibility and conductivity. In addition, the team provided a simple algorithm that guides scientists in optimizing the manufacturing process and designing polymers with improved electrical performance.
Spakcz emphasized, "A simple theory that explains the issue is a great starting point." He added that further research could eventually lead to the creation of flexible smartphones and foldable e-readers. (Liu Xia)
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