Design of ultra-stretchable nanomesh structures

Abstract

Wide-ranging applications of integrated stretchable electronics, including sensors, actuators,energy harvesting, etc., are made possible by expeditious advancements in design and mate- rials. Nanomesh structures brought a significant development in this field showing excellent transparency, lower stiffness, and high stretchability. This thesis studies the mechanical properties of hexagonal nanomesh structures made of arc-shaped serpentine traces. Theo- retical and finite element models are developed to investigate the displacement, maximum strain, axial stiffness, stretching rigidity, effective modulus, and stretchability of the hexag- onal nanomesh structures for different thicknesses and arc-angles of the traces. The findings of the analytical process appear to be matched very well with the finite element analysis results. As a result, these verified theoretical formulations can be used to have practical instructions for constructing the nanomesh structures to achieve very higher stretchability and mechanical qualities, which are highly desirable properties in manufacturing wearable electronics and bio-mimetic structures.