Scientists from North Carolina State University have become successful in creating elastic conductors made from carbon nanotubes. These conductors can be used in stretchable electronics. This means a whole new ideas for designs in electronic devices as it can give bendable displays, smart fabrics, and also touch-sensitive robot skin. The researchers have also developed elastic conductors applying silver nanowires, which are more useful in many different ways than carbon nanotubes.

For one, they are easy to mass produce, which is a big advantage in today’s world economy, which seems to shrink everything rather than grow. Also, silver nanowires have higher conductivity than carbon nanotubes. Another thing which comes in handy in their manufacturing process is that they are fabricated using a simple technique.

One more interesting aspect to note is of different materials being put into innovative uses. If advanced materials such as nanowires are to be produced it will help put the pressure off from other resources which are constantly being depleted at the cost of environment as well as economics.

In case of silver nanowires conductors, the nanowires are laid on a silicon plate and polymer liquid is poured on them in a heated condition. This is what gives it the elastic solid form. Each stretch can elongate 50% without any negative effect on nanowires’ conductivity. Further details of the research have been published in the journal Advanced Materials.