The group of Zijian CHENG used the concept of rose petal surface structures to develop an elastomeric material which could be used as an elastic substrate for flexible conductive materials. Compared with conventional flat polydimethylsiloxane substrates, elastomeric petals have biomimicking topographic surfaces that can effectively inhibit the propagation of microcracks formed in the conducting layer, which is deposited on top, regardless of the type of conductive materials and the deposition methods.

CAS news release, May 25, 2015