Ajou University Develops Electronic Device with Jilgyeongi Inspiration for Expansion-Type Applications

Breakthrough in Conductivity and Durability
for Foldable Electronic Devices

Researchers at Ajou University have developed a ‘deployable electronic device’ material that maintains conductivity even after repeated crumpling. The key was inspired by the leaf vein structure of Plantago major, known for surviving being easily trampled, and involved the use of high-strength fiber ‘Kevlar’.

From the left, Han Seung-yong, Kang Dae-sik, Ko Je-seong, professors at Ajou University.

On the 18th, Ajou University announced that the research team from the Department of Mechanical Engineering’s Biomimicry Laboratory (Professors Seung-Yong Han, Dae-Sik Kang, and Je-Sung Ko) developed a deployable electronic device that simultaneously secures conductivity and durability by applying high-strength fibers.

The research results were published in the January issue of the global journal Science Advances. Co-first authors include Dr. In-Sik Hong, Dr. Yeon-Wook Noh, and master’s student Jo Jung-Kwang.

Deployable electronic devices are designed to maximize spatial efficiency by being folded or crumpled for storage and unfolded when needed. They have high applicability in various fields such as foldable smartphones, space industry, and biosensors. However, mechanical fatigue and conductivity degradation caused by repeated folding have remained major technical challenges.

To address this, the research team referred to the leaf vein structure of Plantago major, known for its strong vitality. The leaf veins of Plantago major are characterized by resistance to external pressure and excellent elasticity. The researchers mimicked these characteristics by applying Kevlar fibers to the electronic composite material.

Additionally, they enhanced the material’s stability by applying Neutral Plane Theory and Deformation Engineering techniques. As a result, the new material maintained performance even after more than 750,000 cycles of repeated crumpling and folding, and was confirmed to withstand loads over 6,667 times its own weight. This represents a 15-fold improvement in fold resistance and more than double the tensile strength compared to existing materials.

To verify the performance of the developed material, the research team conducted experiments applying it to a deployable gripper embedded with balloon-type sensors. The experiments showed that the sensors measured data such as temperature, pressure, and proximity at levels equivalent to the initial state despite repeated folding and unfolding. Furthermore, the enhanced tensile strength enabled stable gripping of objects.

This research was conducted with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea. Ajou University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering Biomimicry Laboratory continues research to engineer the structures and principles of natural organisms.

The research team previously developed ▲medical sensors mimicking spider leg sensing functions ▲robots inspired by the movement of aquatic organisms ▲self-deploying display technology inspired by butterfly wings inside pupae.

This research achievement is also attracting attention for its high potential applications in various advanced industries such as next-generation displays, aerospace, and biosensors.

Professor Seung-Yong Han said, “Based on ideas obtained from the leaf veins of Plantago major, we developed a new material resistant to folding and crumpling,” adding, “This technology can be utilized in various fields such as foldable displays, implantable biosensors, and the space industry.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.