Stretchable Electronics from MC10
Table of contents
Elastronics or “stretchable electronics” are an emerging class of electronics that mimic human skin in that they can retain full functionality while being stretched. This technology opens the door to many interesting applications such as cyber skin for robotic devices, screens that can double in size when stretched like rubber, fabrics that can illuminate, wallpaper lighting, seamless wearable health monitors, and the list goes on. One company making progress in commercializing stretchable electronics is MC10.
About MC10
Founded in 2008, Cambridge Massachusetts based MC10 has taken in over $60 million in funding so far from the likes of North Bridge Venture Partners, Braemar Energy Ventures, Terawatt Ventures, Medtronic, and many others. The Company was co-founded by Professor John Rogers, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois and Director of the Seitz Materials Research Laboratory.
Intellectual Property
In addition to a number of patents and applications listed on the company website, MC10 has license rights to over 150 US and foreign patents in the area of conformal electronics, nearly all of which are licensed exclusively to MC10. One of MC10’s issued patents titled “Extremely Stretchable Electronics (US 8389862)” provides more technical detail behind the underlying technology which appears to utilize “silicon nanoribbons”. This patent alone cites over 100 other patents along with over 800 non-patent citations.
Product Applications
Commercial applications for “stretchable electronics” are vast, and only limited by one’s imagination. MC10 is targeting applications in consumer goods, digital health, medical devices, industrials, and defense. One invention from MC10 is an ultra-thin, skin-like tattoo with tiny dots called a bio-stamp. Worn on the surface of the skin, this unobtrusive device can monitor body vitals. MC10 is also developing a catheter that has nanometer-thin sensors which can provide feedback during medical procedures. One of MC10’s first consumer products is the Reebok Checklight Sports Activity Impact Indicator
which won the 2014 International CES Innovation Award for “Best of Innovations”. This product which M10 co-developed with Reebok is a revolutionary head impact indicator.
The sensing skullcap can be tucked under any helmet and logs the number of impacts recorded by the athlete. It also displays a yellow light for moderate impacts and a red light for severe impacts allowing for a coach or teammate to easily identify a possible concussion. Sports that this could be used for are rugby, American football, hockey, boxing, or any other high impact sport.
MC10 has a strong IP portfolio, some unique product offerings, and strong financial backing. The Company merits watching, even if just to see what exciting new products they start offering based on their stretchable electronics technology.
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