Many of the same substrates are being used for OPE as in previous editions of the roadmap, with a focus on low-cost materials, but there are new trends as well. A variety of substrates are used to accommodate different applications, common substrates include plastic films like polyester, metal foils, and fibrous materials such as paper and textiles. Interest in substrates that are stretchable as well as bendable has grown significantly, especially regarding wearables. Sustainability of materials and processes has become more and more relevant, which has led to increased interest in paper as a low-cost, environmentally friendly substrate for electronics, but also to the increased use of biodegradable and compostable polymer substrates based on renewable materials.
Implementation Example
Stretchable and
bendable substrates
Developing comfortable medical-grade wearables using stretchable electronics is one of the most promising advancements in electronics.