Researchers develop stretchable graphene transistors

When it comes to fabricating stretchable, transparent electronics, finding a material to make transistors from has been a significant challenge for researchers. They've explored a variety of conventional semiconductor materials, including molecules, polymers, and metals, but these materials tend to have intrinsically poor optical and mechanical properties. These drawbacks make it difficult to realize a transistor that can maintain its optical and electrical performance under a high strain. In a new study, researchers have fabricated a stretchable, transparent graphene-based transistor and found that, due to graphene’s excellent optical, mechanical, and electrical properties, the transistor overcomes some of the problems faced by transistors made of conventional semiconductor materials.