Stretchable electroluminescent devices based on microLEDs: materials, fabrication, system design, and applications
Micro-light-emitting diodes (microLEDs) have emerged as one of the most promising emitters for stretchable electroluminescent (EL) devices owing to their high brightness, efficiency, operational stability, and environmental robustness. This review summarizes recent advances in microLED design, scalable integration, and strain-tolerant system architectures for mechanically reliable stretchable EL devices. Emerging applications in freeform displays and light-mediated healthcare are also highlighted, together with the key challenges and future directions.
Authors
- Changhong Cao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9707-3518)
- Dong Chan Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9346-9622)
- Sung‐Hyuk Sunwoo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3925-1275)
- Kyungwon Shin
- Hocheon Yoo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0772-3327)
- Yoonmo Koo
- Junyoung Ha
- Gi Doo Cha
- Daewon Lee
- Jimin Park
- Yongjae Song
Institutions
- Gachon University (KR)
- Inha University (KR)
- Hanyang University (KR)
- McGill University (CA)
- Chung-Ang University (KR)
- Anyang University (KR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Flexible Electronics
- Published
- 2026-08-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-026-00636-3
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
- Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology
- National Research Foundation of Korea
- Ministry of Education, India
- Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea