Ryan Melosini

Mr. Huerta
Physics HL1
19 February 2014
Fractal Wire Patterns enhance stretchability in electronics
Researchers are constantly searching for new ways to make electronics quicker, more
accessible and more durable. Researchers from a variety of different countries have come
together to come up with and test fractal wire patterns that will make electronics more
stretchable and more durable. These new stretchable patterns could be used in hospitals, high
tech equipment and also everyday items such as cell phones and tablets. The researchers tested 6
different types of patterns and learned that each one had its own specific benefits and
disadvantages. Most of the time flexible electronics are made up of two main components. One
soft flexible component and one hard component that forms the base of the device. The softer a
device gets, the worse the conductivity of the electronics in it. Therefore, it is imperative that
developers find a perfect balance between conductivity and stretchability. However, with these
new fractal patterns, it is possible for developers to not compromise the stretchability of devices
with their conductivity. In these fractal patterns, hard wires are engineered into the fractal
designs and then bonded to soft elastomers. This allows for the conductivity of a hard wire, but
also the stretchability of a soft device. With this new approach to stretchable electronics, the new
technique is immediately relevant to the world of technology as it is an idea that can begin to be
implemented immediately. It is entirely possible that will soon see these kind of stretchable
electronics, maybe even phones, on the shelves of our local tech store.