Flexible electronics nowadays are becoming more and more popular.
It is a technology in which electronic circuits are made on flexible plastic substrates. These materials are polyimide, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU).
Flexible electronics can be made with photolithography. These circuits have the same design as PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards). Copper strips are made for conductive media.
Flexible electronics have sensors, ICs, antennas, displays, etc., which are normally made in PCBs.
Even flexible electronics could be planted on the skin of human beings. But it is suited for wearable, which could be used for sensing different parameters like heart rate, steps, breathing patterns, etc., and making a report.
It has a market of around 40 billion dollars. The electronics market is 2 trillion dollars worldwide. Wearable electronics are 2% of that market.
Major advantages of flexible electronics
- Flexibility
Most important is their flexibility, which is not possible in conventional PCBs.
- Cost
Costing will also be less because of the small structure and nanotechnology.
- Lightweight
Carrying flexible electronics is way easier than conventional PCB-based electronics.
- Nature friendly
Less material is used, even if it’s not biodegradable, and paper-like material substance use (which is biodegradable) makes it nature-friendly.
Major Disadvantages of Flexible Electronics
- Durability
Durability could be less due to damage that could be done to the circuit by anything.
- Limited power
Power limitation is there, which would limit the use of flexible electronics in many things.
- Lower integration density
Because of the thin design, it has very little space to pack a lot of circuit components.