DuPont films for adding electronics

A range of stretchable electronic ink materials for use in smart clothing applications and other wearable electronics has been developed by DuPont Microcircuit Materials.

The materials provide a manufacturing-ready alternative to many traditional methods of embedding electronics in clothing.  The DuPont materials have been used to create thin, form-fitting circuits that can be seamlessly bonded with many standard fabrics, allowing for comfort and freedom in wearable electronic design.  A working model of a biometric shirt that incorporates DuPont electronic inks was on display for the first time during Printed Electronics USA 2014, in Santa Clara, California (November 19-20). 

“We believe that this new line of DuPont stretchable electronic inks can be used in wearable electronics applications to make clothing more capable and comfortable,” said Michael Burrows, segment manager at DuPont Microcircuit Materials.  “Imagine how smart athletic wear could help contribute to healthier, more active lifestyles by continuously monitoring vital information such as heart and breathing rates, calories burned and even stress level.”

DuPont stretchable electronic inks deliver stable performance despite repeated elongation. A third party evaluation of fabrics that incorporate these DuPont materials to create thin electronic circuits have shown them to be washable durable, and capable of withstanding up to 100 wash cycles. They can also be used in many common manufacturing processes to produce smart clothing, including fitness and outerwear, without significant investment.

The growing portfolio of DuPont MCM electronic inks is used in many applications, including forming conductive traces, capacitor and resistor elements, and dielectric and encapsulating layers that are compatible with many substrate surfaces including polymer, glass and ceramic.