Deformable interconnects for conformal integrated circuits

The electro-mechanical response of thin gold layers evaporated onto silicone substrates is reported. Gold layers are prepared either thin and flat or thin and wavy on the compliant substrate. The electrical resistance of gold/silicone stripes is measured and analyzed during tensile deformation. For a 100-nm thick gold layer evaporated on a 1-mm thick silicone membrane, we have observed electrical continuity up to ~ 22 % strain. This maximum strain decreases when the gold layer thickness is raised.