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Kim et al. Soft Sci 2023;3:16 Soft Science
DOI: 10.20517/ss.2023.07

Review Article Open Access

Applications of flexible and stretchable three-

dimensional structures for soft electronics

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1,#
Jang Hwan Kim , Su Eon Lee , Bong Hoon Kim 2,*
1
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
2
Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, DGIST, Daegu 42988, Korea.
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Both authors contributed equally.
*Correspondence to: Prof. Bong Hoon Kim, Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, DGIST, 333
Technojungang-daero, Daegu 42988, Korea. E-mail: bonghoonkim@dgist.ac.kr
How to cite this article: Kim JH, Lee SE, Kim BH. Applications of flexible and stretchable three-dimensional structures for soft
electronics. Soft Sci 2023;3:16. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/ss.2023.07
Received: 16 Feb 2023 First Decision: 23 Mar 2023 Revised: 17Apr 2023 Accepted: 26 Apr 2023 Published: 18 May 2023

Academic Editor: Dae-Hyeong Kim Copy Editor: Ke-Cui Yang Production Editor: Ke-Cui Yang

Abstract
The development of devices that can be mechanically deformed in geometrical layouts, such as
flexible/stretchable devices, is important for various applications. Conventional flexible/stretchable devices have
been demonstrated using two-dimensional (2D) geometry, resulting in dimensional constraints on device
operations and functionality limitations. Accordingly, expanding the dimensions in which such devices can operate
and acquiring unique functionality that is difficult to implement in 2D planar structures remain challenging. As a
solution, the development of a flexible/stretchable device embedding a three-dimensional (3D) structure
fabricated through the precise control of a 2D structure or direct construction has been attracting significant
attention. Because of a significant amount of effort, several 3D material systems with distinctive engineering
properties, including electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties, which are difficult to occur in nature or
to obtain in usual 2D material systems, have been demonstrated. Furthermore, 3D advanced material systems with
flexibility and stretchability can provide additional options for developing devices with various form factors. In this
review, novel fabrication methods and unprecedented physical properties of flexible/stretchable 3D material
systems are reviewed through multiple application cases. In addition, we summarized the latest advances and
trends in innovative applications implemented through the introduction of advanced 3D systems in various fields,
including microelectromechanical systems, optoelectronics, energy devices, biomedical devices, sensors,
actuators, metamaterials, and microfluidic systems.

© The Author(s) 2023. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, sharing,
adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as
long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and
indicate if changes were made.

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