Skin-like sensor systems by intrinsically stretchable electronic materials

Intrinsically stretchable electronic materials are expected to realize the next generaton of wearable devices via their skin-like mechanical properties. Although soft materials such as rubbers are typically insulative, recent developments have realized high-conductivity stretchable electronic materials. Here, the author discusses large-area printable elastic conductors and highly environmentally stable stretchable conductors which have enabled various unique applications including electronic textiles and stretchable lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, a body-area network of soft sensors was demonstrated to show the feasibility of potential applications enabled by intrinsically stretchable electronic materials.