Breakthrough at KU: Protective Film Enhances Performance and Lifespan of Biodegradable Electronics
KU (President Kim Dong-one) has developed ultrahigh-efficiency protective film materials and processes based on biodegradable and biocompatible materials that are capable of protecting the performance of electronic components and significantly extending their lifespan.
The new coating technology developed by the research group of Professor Hwang Suk-won (KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology) is applicable to biodegradable polymers. In addition, since particles with low water molecule permeability are involved, the highly protective film functions even in a humid environment or in the event of mechanical deformation.
Electronic devices made of biodegradable materials have biocompatible characteristics in that they are dissolved, decomposed, and separated into harmless substances in the body or the environment, thereby changing their physical state and electrical functions. Therefore, the core purpose of the technology is to control the functional lifespan of these materials, and therefore a protective film technology is employed to maintain their functions for a long period of time. However, the existing protective film technology was difficult to apply in relation to electronic devices accompanying a constantly moving human body or operating in various environments because it was unable to control the lifespan of the electronic devices due to the high level of water molecule permeability or the hardness and brittleness of the existing films.
This study overcame the above shortcomings, and it furthermore established a theoretical model that can verify the properties of the new film. In addition, in this study the protective film applied to existing biodegradable materials was implemented via transistors, capacitors, and wireless coils, including light-emitting devices, thereby expanding the scope of practical applications of the lifespan control technology of electronic components and of various biodegradable materials.
Professor Hwang said, “Through this study we developed an ultrahigh-efficiency biodegradable protective film technology that can significantly increase the functions and lifespan of electronic device components.” He added, “As the film can be used as a layer of protection for various electronic devices, we will expand its applicability so that it may be used in our everyday life.”
As the innovation involved in this technology was recognized, the results of the study were published on May 8 (Wed) in Advanced Functional Materials (IF=19.0), an internationally renowned journal.
This study was supported by the Midcareer Research Program and the Electroceuticals Development Program of the National Research Foundation and the ICT Creative Consilience Program of the Institute for Information and Communications Technology Planning and Evaluation.