Biodegradable and Flexible Electronics

Abstract

Due to rapid technological advancement in electronics, the constant upgrade of electronic products provides different alternatives each day, which has led to the issue of e-waste. As it harms the environment, it requires periodic monitoring to achieve sustainable development goals. Biodegradable and flexible electronics technology provides new ways of achieving it. Biodegradable electronics have led to the development of transient electronic devices as an alternative to traditional electronics, innovated with soluble, biologically compatible materials like silk protein, nanofibrils cellulose, functional elastomers, gels, and piezoelectric. This technology yields multifaceted applications for medical and diagnostic purposes, such as sensing, monitoring, and assisting the remedial process. On the other hand, flexible electronic technology deals with applications requiring high flexibility and durability. The emphasis on flexible electronic research has increased with the increasing demand for wearable and printable electronic technology. This technology has generated an innovative field of study that poses various applications in biomedical, energy, consumer electronics, IoT, and robotics. Firstly, this chapter introduces and motivates biodegradable and flexible electronics. Then it explains different materials and technologies employed for their production. Finally, the chapter explores applications, recent developments, and obstacles associated with each technology.