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68 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I JULY 2023 tunate enough to give a keynote address at the first conference on flexible and stretchable cir- cuits in Gent, Belgium in 2008. ere were many excellent papers given at the inaugural conference, which described research on how to design and fabricate the circuits, typically using copper, and mitigat- ing the mechanical damage inevitably caused by repeated stretching. Solutions were both in-plane (using undulating traces) and out- of-plane (using humped circuits that flattened when stretched). ere were also examina- tions of stretchable conductors comprised of elastomers loaded with conductive metals. Most interesting at the time were the applications that were shared, especially wearable electron- ics products. At the time, fashion apparel was most alluring. Affixing rows or arrays of LEDs to clothing was eye catching and became somewhat of a poster child for the nascent technology. However, it was the fact that stretchable cir- cuits could conform to irregular contours of the human body, thus allowing for comfort- able and unobtrusive integration into clothing, accessories, or directly on the skin; this opened the doors to the new interconnection option. ey soon found their way into many new products, including a variety of health moni- toring, fitness tracking features, and smart tex- tiles which integrated electronic functionality into clothing. Stretchable circuits were also deemed to have significant potential in healthcare. ey are currently used in novel medical devices, including electronic skin patches, which can monitor vital signs, like blood pressure; mea- sure blood chemistry, such as sugar levels; and deliver drugs such as insulin to correct the lev- els. ey can also provide real time feedback during physical rehabilitation sessions. Some researchers have been looking into using stretchable circuit technology for implant- able applications that would enable seamless integration with so tissues, providing the potential to restore use of paralyzed limbs and mobility to accident victims. In this regard, stretchable circuits show promise in the manu- facture of prosthetics to restore limbs of ampu- tees, many the victims of wars. Stretchable cir- cuits integrated into such products allow for more natural movement and allow wearers to move back into society with the anonymity they enjoyed before they lost their limbs. All appendages are subject to development, and it can be expected they will have sen- sors integrated into them that allow the wearer to sense touch, pressure, and temperature; perform delicate tasks; and experience again the joy of holding their loved ones or a new- born child. Not surprisingly, stretchable circuits are being employed to create smart and flexible sensor sys- tems for all manner of products from automo- biles and appliances to household furniture, pet monitoring, and security systems—all con- nected to the internet and monitored by com- puters. Getting sleepy at the wheel? Your car will direct you safely off the road. Of course, stretchable circuits will, with- out question, be employed in the design of increasing numbers of consumer electronics, from video gaming appliances and virtual real- ity headsets to exercise and relaxation devices as well as an unimaginable range of devices locked—only for this moment in time—inside the minds of the countless present and future inventors, who will bring them to the public to improve everyday lives. In summary, while stretchable circuits are still a relatively new kid on the block, we can Stretchable circuits were also deemed to have significant potential in healthcare.