HEU-2025: Advanced Materials technologies for printed flexible electronics project collaboration

The project is aimed to revolutionise the wearable-electronics landscape by creating a new generation of ultra-flexible, environmentally sustainable circuits that combine the exceptional electrical properties of two-dimensional nano-materials with biodegradable polymer matrices. By engineering stretchable composites/polymers within bio-based elastomers, the project will deliver materials whose conductivity, mechanical resilience and biocompatibility far exceed today’s rigid-dominated devices. These advanced inks and substrates will be processed through scalable, low-temperature techniques, such as inkjet printing, roll-to-roll lamination and high-pressure forming, keeping the carbon footprint to a minimum while enabling on-demand fabrication directly onto textiles and skin like patches.

To demonstrate real-world applicability, project will integrate reversible interconnects and detachable modules into a health-monitoring textile patch and a modular e-skin sensor array, ensuring straightforward repair, upgrade and end-of-life recycling. Compostable substrates, low-temperature soldering and reversible adhesives will be combined with a cradle-to-grave life-cycle assessment, quantifying reductions in resource consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions. By engaging with standards bodies and industry clusters, the project will propose interoperability guidelines for stretchable electronics and host training workshops to equip engineers and technicians with the skills needed for circular-by-design manufacture.