Lifetime modelling and geometry optimization of meander tracks in stretchable electronics

In stretchable electronics, meander designs are often used for the conducting traces. This geometry of the copper traces, that are much stiffer than the polymer substrates, allows for better stretchability. In order to be able to assess the meander reliability in a quantitative way, the possibilities and obstacles of finite element model based lifetime prediction have been investigated. Therefore, a parametric FE model of a test structure including a copper meander track has been set up and evaluated for the resulting mechanical stresses and strains under tensile loads. The comparison to experiments allowed to create a lifetime model and then perform a virtual optimization to find the best design.