Deformation of Multilayer Flexible Electronics Subjected to Torque

Abstract

Flexibility is one of remarkable characteristics of flexible electronics. Therefore, the analysis of flexible electronics deformation caused by external torques will help its design. In this work, analytical derivation is conducted for flexible electronics treated as multilayer structures. In experiments, an electric motor under computer control exerts a torque to generate torsion, whose twist angles are obtained by using both optical encoder measurement and theoretical calculation. Comparisons are made between experimental and theoretical results for bare PEN (polyethylene naphthalate) substrates of different sizes, multilayer PET (polyethylene terephthalate) substrates, and ITO (indium tin oxide)-coated PET substrates. Finally, a laser displacement sensor is used to measure the out-of-plane deformation for validating the proposed theoretical model.