Printed Fractal Inductors on Flexible Substrates for Wearable and Green Electronics

Publication date: 24 Set 2025

JournalSource: OPENALEXOpenAlex type: articleClosed Access
Authors: Mattia Scagliotti, Francesca Pescosolido, Matteo Rapisarda, Luigi Mariucci, Antonio Valletta

The development of sustainable and flexible electronic components is crucial for advancing green technologies in wearable and eco-conscious applications. In this study, we present a comparative investigation between spiral and fractal inductor geometries fabricated via inkjet printing of silver nanoparticle ink on flexible polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrates. Electrical measurements of resistance and inductance were performed under flat, bent, and post-bending conditions to evaluate the mechanical-electrical stability of each design. Both geometries demonstrate robust electrical performance under bending conditions. The resistance of both the spiral and fractal inductors remains nearly constant, exhibiting increases of less than 10%, which indicates minimal impact from mechanical stress on their conductive pathways. In terms of inductance, a more pronounced reduction is observed in the spiral inductor during bending, likely due to geometric deformation and the introduction of parasitic effects. Conversely, the fractal inductor maintains more stable inductance values, benefiting from its self-similar design and single-layer topology that help mitigate parasitic capacitances and mechanical deformation. Despite the differences in inductance variation, both structures exhibit sufficient mechanical resilience and electrical stability, making them suitable candidates for flexible electronic applications where bending tolerance is essential. These results highlight the potential of fractal printed inductors as robust, reliable, and fabrication-friendly components for next-generation green and flexible electronics.

Origin
OpenAlex
Pages
224-228
Cited by
0