Flexible Electronics

Flexible electronics utilize advanced materials and manufacturing techniques to create electronic circuits and devices on bendable, stretchable, or foldable substrates. Unlike traditional rigid silicon-based electronics, these systems use materials like organic semiconductors, graphene, or ultrathin silicon membranes that can withstand mechanical deformation without losing functionality. The technology enables electronic devices to conform to curved surfaces, integrate into textiles, or be rolled up for storage.

This innovation is transforming multiple industries by enabling new form factors and applications. Flexible displays are already commercialized in foldable smartphones and curved televisions, while flexible sensors are being integrated into wearable health monitors, smart clothing, and medical devices that conform to the body. Companies like Samsung, LG, and startups such as FlexEnable and PragmatIC are advancing flexible electronics for various applications.

At TRL 6, flexible electronics are moving from research into commercial products, though challenges remain in durability, manufacturing scalability, and performance compared to rigid alternatives. The technology is particularly significant for wearable devices, where flexibility enables comfort and seamless integration with the human body. As manufacturing processes improve and material costs decrease, flexible electronics could enable entirely new categories of products, from rollable displays to electronic skin patches that monitor health continuously.