"We're taking a material everyone thought was electrically inert and giving it a new life," says Zijing (Jackie) Zhang, a doctoral student at the University of Michigan, highlighting a groundbreaking discovery. Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that a newly discovered silicone variant acts as a semiconductor, challenging the long-held belief that silicones are exclusively insulators. This breakthrough, announced recently, could revolutionize flexible electronics.
Traditionally, silicones have been known for their insulating properties, making them useful in biomedical devices and electronic coatings. However, this new semiconducting silicone offers the potential for flexible displays, wearable sensors, and even color-changing clothing. The key lies in the unique arrangement of silicon-oxygen bonds within the silicone copolymer.
The team discovered that specific cross-linking structures in a silicone copolymer allowed electrons to move across Si-O-Si bonds. This creates a pathway for electrical charge to flow. By controlling the length of the copolymer chain, researchers can also fine-tune the color of the silicone, opening doors for vibrant and customizable electronic devices.
Richard Laine, a U-M professor, envisions the material enabling "new types of flat panel displays, flexible photovoltaics, wearable sensors or even clothing that can display different patterns or images." The discovery promises a future where electronics are not only functional but also flexible, colorful, and seamlessly integrated into our lives.