A plant stem inspired researchers to develop a new, versatile aerogel for possible use in bendable devices.
(Image by American Chemical Society)
For the first time ever, scientists have a lead on creating an aerogel that is lightweight, resilient, and flexible enough to bend. The graphene-based aerogel mimics the structure of Thalia dealbata, or the powdery alligator-flag: a strong, lean plant that can withstand harsh winds. This kind of aerogel can be used in creating bendable screens for tablets or smartphones, as well as in production of wearable electronics. The newly created material can support up to 6,000 times its own weight. It’s also resilient enough to withstand intensive compression. Researchers have also tested putting the new aerogel in a circuit with an LED, and found that the material could potentially work as a component of a flexible device.
Authors:
Miao Yang, Nifang Zhao, Ying Cui, Weiwei Gao, Qian Zhao, Chao Gao, Hao Bai , and Tao Xie
Corresponding author:
Hao Bai, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, Email: hbai@zju.edu.cn
Original paper published in ACS Nano on June 21, 2017.
