Stretchable Fabric Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Transferable Laser Pattern for Wearable Photodiagnostic Applications

Abstract

Stretchable organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are emerging as a key technology for next-generation wearable devices due to their uniform light emission, stable performance under stretching conditions, and various flexible substrates. This paper introduces stretchable OLEDs fabricated with laser-cut kirigami patterns and a multifunctional encapsulation multilayer (MEM) barrier. These OLEDs were subsequently transferred onto textiles. These stretchable OLEDs achieved a remarkable stretchability of up to 150% through optimized kirigami pattern and maintained 100% stretchability when integrated with textiles, preserving the flexibility of a textile substrate. Additionally, the MEM barrier provided ultraviolet (UV) reflection and waterproof properties, ensuring reliable performance in harsh environments. Stretchable OLEDs and stretchable fabric OLEDs demonstrated a high luminance of 18,983 cd/m² and 10,205 cd/m², with minimal emission variation under stretched conditions. Furthermore, the potential of stretchable fabric OLEDs for wearable healthcare applications was evaluated by measuring photoplethysmography (PPG) signals. Stable PPG signals were successfully obtained at a 20% stretched state. Adjusting light source intensity effectively compensated for signal quality degradation caused by stretching. These findings highlight the significant potential of stretchable fabric OLEDs for wearable devices and photodiagnostic platforms, offering broad applicability across diverse fields.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Stretchable / Organic light-emitting diodes / Textile / Kirigami / Laser cut / Photodiagnosis / Engineering / Materials Engineering

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Funding

Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea(2022R1F1A1065534)

Ministry of SMEs and Startups(RS-2023-00270443)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Donghua University, Shanghai, China