Effects of pre-buckling on the bending of organic electronic structures

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.