Graphene Improves Flexible and Wearable Electronics

At 200 times stronger than steel, graphene has been hailed as a super material of the future since its discovery in 2004. The ultrathin carbon material is an incredibly strong electrical and thermal conductor. Here, researchers demonstrate that graphene can greatly improve electrical circuits required for wearable and flexible electronics.

"Flexible and wearable electronics can be made of soft materials like polymers that can't sustain high temperatures," says Chen-Hsuan (Steve) Lu (MS '20) , a Caltech graduate student and lead author of the three studies. "Our method allows us to grow graphene directly on the substrates at a low temperature, preventing any damage to sensitive materials."