SMASE: Self-healing, Multi-layered, and Adaptable Stretchable Electronics

Stretchable electronics are on the rise, yet their unsustainability, stemming from their vulnerability
and non-recyclability is largely overlooked. SMASE aims to tackle this by exploring the combination
of self-healing Diels-Alder polymers and liquid metals within stretchable electronics, giving them new
capabilities. Firstly, it will be investigated if this combination can lead to self-healing stretchable
piezoresistive sensors and circuits capable of detecting and recovering from damage. Next, a novel
manufacturing technique, noted invasive manufacturing, will be developed, leveraging on the unique
combination of Diels-Alder polymers and liquid metals and enabling multi-layered self-healing
stretchable electronics. This technique will be explored to develop multi-layered electronic skins,
capable of localizing touch as well as damage, and can fully recover from it through a combination of
material-based healing and recalibration. Consequently, this study includes the investigation of
modeling and machine learning techniques to calibrate and methods for recalibration after healing,
with minimal resampling. Next, SMASE will explore the recycling of these stretchable electronics by
researching novel methods for separating the liquid metal from the reprocessable Diels-Alder
polymer. Finally, SMASE will introduce modular design principles for stretchable electronics,
facilitating a study on repair, reconfiguration, and growth of self-healing stretchable skins.