Mechanically stable, and reversible integration of microchips on textile: liquid metal-based anisotropic conductive adhesive

Abstract Integrating surface-mounted devices (SMDs) onto textiles remains a key challenge in wearable electronics due to textile surface irregularities and heat sensitivity. Conventional methods like soldering or anisotropic conductive films (ACFs) often fail in such environments. We introduce a low...

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Main Authors: Sang Gil Lee, Kyeong-Bin Kim, Hyesu Choi, Joo Hwan Shin, Chanho Jeong, Geonoh Choe, Gyan Raj Koirala, Jae-seung Shim, Yujin Mun, Young Gil Kim, Yei Hwan Jung, Eun-Ho Lee, Tae-il Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:npj Flexible Electronics
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-025-00452-1
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author Sang Gil Lee
Kyeong-Bin Kim
Hyesu Choi
Joo Hwan Shin
Chanho Jeong
Geonoh Choe
Gyan Raj Koirala
Jae-seung Shim
Yujin Mun
Young Gil Kim
Yei Hwan Jung
Eun-Ho Lee
Tae-il Kim
author_facet Sang Gil Lee
Kyeong-Bin Kim
Hyesu Choi
Joo Hwan Shin
Chanho Jeong
Geonoh Choe
Gyan Raj Koirala
Jae-seung Shim
Yujin Mun
Young Gil Kim
Yei Hwan Jung
Eun-Ho Lee
Tae-il Kim
author_sort Sang Gil Lee
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Integrating surface-mounted devices (SMDs) onto textiles remains a key challenge in wearable electronics due to textile surface irregularities and heat sensitivity. Conventional methods like soldering or anisotropic conductive films (ACFs) often fail in such environments. We introduce a low-stress anisotropic conductive adhesive (LS-ACA) composed of eutectic gallium–indium (EGaIn) liquid metal particles (LMPs) embedded in a pressure-sensitive SIS matrix. LS-ACA offers excellent electrical conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and durability under bending, stretching, and crumpling. Finite element analysis shows it reduces interfacial stress concentrations compared to soldering, maintaining uniform stress even under 10% strain. It achieves ultra-low contact resistance (1.5 mΩ at >64 wt% LMPs) and enables low-temperature bonding on diverse substrates. Moreover, LS-ACA supports over 10 reuse cycles without surface damage or performance loss. This scalable, reusable material offers a promising path for integrating electronics into fabrics, advancing sustainable and flexible wearable technologies.
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spelling doaj-art-975bfd30018b45479a2f3ca0653bea5a2025-08-20T04:02:42ZengNature Portfolionpj Flexible Electronics2397-46212025-07-019111210.1038/s41528-025-00452-1Mechanically stable, and reversible integration of microchips on textile: liquid metal-based anisotropic conductive adhesiveSang Gil Lee0Kyeong-Bin Kim1Hyesu Choi2Joo Hwan Shin3Chanho Jeong4Geonoh Choe5Gyan Raj Koirala6Jae-seung Shim7Yujin Mun8Young Gil Kim9Yei Hwan Jung10Eun-Ho Lee11Tae-il Kim12Department of Semiconductor and Display Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)Department of Electronic Engineering, Hanyang UniversitySchool of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)Department of Electronic Engineering, Hanyang UniversityDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)Abstract Integrating surface-mounted devices (SMDs) onto textiles remains a key challenge in wearable electronics due to textile surface irregularities and heat sensitivity. Conventional methods like soldering or anisotropic conductive films (ACFs) often fail in such environments. We introduce a low-stress anisotropic conductive adhesive (LS-ACA) composed of eutectic gallium–indium (EGaIn) liquid metal particles (LMPs) embedded in a pressure-sensitive SIS matrix. LS-ACA offers excellent electrical conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and durability under bending, stretching, and crumpling. Finite element analysis shows it reduces interfacial stress concentrations compared to soldering, maintaining uniform stress even under 10% strain. It achieves ultra-low contact resistance (1.5 mΩ at >64 wt% LMPs) and enables low-temperature bonding on diverse substrates. Moreover, LS-ACA supports over 10 reuse cycles without surface damage or performance loss. This scalable, reusable material offers a promising path for integrating electronics into fabrics, advancing sustainable and flexible wearable technologies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-025-00452-1
spellingShingle Sang Gil Lee
Kyeong-Bin Kim
Hyesu Choi
Joo Hwan Shin
Chanho Jeong
Geonoh Choe
Gyan Raj Koirala
Jae-seung Shim
Yujin Mun
Young Gil Kim
Yei Hwan Jung
Eun-Ho Lee
Tae-il Kim
Mechanically stable, and reversible integration of microchips on textile: liquid metal-based anisotropic conductive adhesive
npj Flexible Electronics
title Mechanically stable, and reversible integration of microchips on textile: liquid metal-based anisotropic conductive adhesive
title_full Mechanically stable, and reversible integration of microchips on textile: liquid metal-based anisotropic conductive adhesive
title_fullStr Mechanically stable, and reversible integration of microchips on textile: liquid metal-based anisotropic conductive adhesive
title_full_unstemmed Mechanically stable, and reversible integration of microchips on textile: liquid metal-based anisotropic conductive adhesive
title_short Mechanically stable, and reversible integration of microchips on textile: liquid metal-based anisotropic conductive adhesive
title_sort mechanically stable and reversible integration of microchips on textile liquid metal based anisotropic conductive adhesive
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-025-00452-1
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