Professor Soo-Seok Choi’s Research Team Publishes Cover Article in Advanced Functional Materials on 3D Multi-Stretchable Optical Mechanisms

The research team led by Professor Soo-Seok Choi from POSTECH’s Department of Electrical Engineering, comprising master’s student Chae-Hyun Kwon and PhD candidates Seung-Min Nam and Sang-Hyun Han, has been recognized for their groundbreaking study on the optical mechanisms of 3D Multi-Stretchable Chiral Nanostructures. Their work has been featured as an Inside Back Cover article in the prestigious journal Advanced Functional Materials (Impact Factor: 19).

The study focuses on a novel mechanism to control the color wavelength of light through nanoscale adjustments under flexible, stretchable conditions. The team successfully implemented and analyzed the optical changes of helical chiral nanostructures in a 3D stretchable environment spanning the X, Y, and Z axes, marking the first-ever precise elucidation of the nanoscale optical changes in such structures.

Significance of the Research
Stretchable electronic and color-controlling technologies are widely regarded as the “dream technologies” of the flexible electronics field, with applications in sensors, semiconductors, displays, electronic skins, encryption, electromagnetic wave control, communications, and fashion. However, the ability to control the wavelength of light—the key determinant of color—has remained a challenging issue due to the need for precise nanoscale manipulation and understanding of light.

This study goes beyond the limitations of conventional one-dimensional stretchable systems to explore and implement a true 3D multi-stretchable environment. The findings provide a comprehensive understanding of nanoscale optical characteristics and mechanisms, expanding stretchable technology from a 1D domain to a fully 3D framework.

Future Impact
The research sets a new standard for stretchable technology and is expected to inspire a wide range of follow-up studies and applications across various fields.

This project was supported by the Samsung Science and Technology Foundation and the Industrial Technology Evaluation and Management’s Stretchable Demonstration Program, underscoring the collaborative effort to advance flexible technologies.