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Flexible high-resolution micro-LED display device with integrations of transparent, conductive, and highly elastic hydrogel

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Abstract

Computer vision techniques are real-time, immersive, and perceptual human-computer interaction technology. Excellent display effect, dynamic surface flexibility, and safe bio-adhesion are essential for various human–computer interaction applications, such as metaverse interfaces, skin-like sensors, and optoelectronic medical devices. However, realizing the flexible matching of inorganic optoelectronic devices and organisms remains a grand challenge for current display technologies. Here, we proposed a novel strategy by combining the optoelectronic advantages of inorganic micro light emitting diode (micro-LED) display and the extraordinary mechanical/biological compatibility of organic materials to overcome this challenge. A highly elastic (greater than 2000% strain), highly transparent (94% visible light transmittance), biocompatible conductive hydrogel composite electrode layer was fabricated. For the first time, we realized the on-chip electrical interconnection of 4900 LED units to form a blue-green light display patch with high resolution (264 PPI), low power consumption (4.4 mW) and adaptive surface attachment. This work demonstrates an integrated scheme and potential applications of flexible high-resolution microdisplays, such as wearable full-color micro-LED smart curved display devices and conformable biomedical monitoring systems.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank for the support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 52173298, 61904012, and 52192611), the National Key R&D Program of China (No. 2021YFA1201603), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.

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Author notes

  1. Jiangwen Wang and Jianan Niu contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Key Laboratory of Micro-nano Energy and Sensor, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101400, China

    Jiangwen Wang, Jianan Niu, Wei Sha, Xinhuan Dai, Tianci Huang, Qilin Hua, Yong Long & Weiguo Hu

  2. School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Jiangwen Wang, Jianan Niu, Wei Sha, Xinhuan Dai, Qilin Hua, Yong Long & Weiguo Hu

  3. Center on Nanoenergy Research, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China

    Tianci Huang & Weiguo Hu

  4. School of Electronic Communication Technology, Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology, Shenzhen, 518172, China

    Junfeng Xiao & Weiguo Hu

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  1. Jiangwen Wang
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  2. Jianan Niu
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Correspondence to Weiguo Hu.

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Wang, J., Niu, J., Sha, W. et al. Flexible high-resolution micro-LED display device with integrations of transparent, conductive, and highly elastic hydrogel. Nano Res. 16, 11893–11899 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-023-5731-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-023-5731-x

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