Effects of pre-buckling on the bending of organic electronic structures
J. Asare,
E. Türköz,
B. Agyei-Tuffour,
O. K. Oyewole,
A. A. Fashina,
J. Du,
M. G. Zebaze Kana,
W. O. Soboyejo
Affiliations
J. Asare
Department of Theoretical and Applied Physics, African University of University of Science and Technology, Km 10 Airport Road, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
E. Türköz
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, 41 Olden Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
B. Agyei-Tuffour
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Kilometer 10 Airport Road, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
O. K. Oyewole
Department of Theoretical and Applied Physics, African University of University of Science and Technology, Km 10 Airport Road, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
A. A. Fashina
Department of Theoretical and Applied Physics, African University of University of Science and Technology, Km 10 Airport Road, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
J. Du
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, 41 Olden Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
M. G. Zebaze Kana
Department of Theoretical and Applied Physics, African University of University of Science and Technology, Km 10 Airport Road, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
W. O. Soboyejo
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Gateway Park Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 60 Prescott Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
This paper explores the extent to which pre-buckling of layers (in thin film multilayered structures) can be used to increase the flexibility of organic electronic devices. The deformation of wavy/buckle profiles, with a range of nano- and micro-scale wavelengths, is modeled using finite element simulations. The predictions from the models are then validated using experiments that involve the bending of layered structures that are relevant to flexible organic electronics. The introduction of pre-buckled profiles is shown to increase the range of deformation that is applied to model structures, prior to onset of significant stresses and strains. The implications of the work are discussed for the design of robust flexible organic solar cells.
