Editor’s Synopsis:
The findings lay a strong foundation for building flexible electronics, wearable medical
sensors, lightweight solar cells, next-generation strain sensors, and tunable optical
devices.
This study addresses one of the major challenges faced in the field of atomically thin
materials: poor stability in air and difficulties in flexible device fabrication.
This Work has published in advanced functional Materials
Mandi, 1 st September, 2025: Globally, there is a major push toward flexible and wearable
electronics, ranging from bendable smartphones to medical sensors that can monitor
health in real-time. The success of these technologies depends heavily on advanced
materials research. Graphene, a thin two-dimensional (2D) material with extraordinary
properties, predicted to be the foundation for next-generation devices such as
photodetectors, sensors, supercapacitors, and flexible electronics.
However, graphene has many limitations. Over a four-year period, oxidation and
degradation of such thin 2D materials (WS2) were observed, leading to poor device
efficiency. In addition, transfer techniques like those used for 2D materials often damaged
the delicate flakes, resulting in slippage, weak adhesion, and loss of optical or electrical
properties.
To address this, researchers at IIT Mandi developed a ground-breaking WS₂–PDMS
composite fabrication. A long-lasting and flexible material that could power the next
generation of wearable gadgets, bendable phones, and health-monitoring devices.
The development of WS₂–PDMS composite fabrication
The research, led by Prof. Viswanath Balakrishnan along with Yadu Chandran, Dr.
Deepa Thakur, and Anjali Sharma from IIT Mandi, introduces a water-mediated, non-
destructive transfer method that enables chemical vapor deposited WS₂ (a widely
studied semiconductor) monolayers to be sandwiched within PDMS layers.
Speaking about the breakthrough, Prof. Viswanath Balakrishnan, Associate Professor,
School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, IIT Mandi, said
“This development a significant milestone toward flexible, wearable electronics from 2D
materials. By protecting those atomically thin layers while not giving up their optical or
electrical properties, we’ve defined a scalable, long-lived platform for the next generation of
sensors, displays, and health-monitoring.” This research will be helpful in creating wearable
health-monitoring sensors, flexible displays and smartphones, solar cells and light-harvesting
devices, strain sensors, memristors, optoelectronic systems and quantum technologies such as
valleytronics and photon emitters.”
The researchers demonstrated that encapsulating monolayer tungsten disulfide (WS₂) in
polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) maintained stability for over a year without any signs of
oxidation and degradation. Furthermore, the vertical stacking of WS₂-PDMS layers
enhanced optical absorption by more than fourfold while preserving the intrinsic
properties of the monolayers. Additionally, the composite exhibited excellent flexibility and
durability, withstanding thousands of bending cycles without delamination and ensuring
efficient strain transfer.
Overall, this research addresses a key challenge in using atomically thin materials, their
poor stability in air. By developing a simple composite strategy using PDMS, these
materials can be preserved for long-term use while maintaining their unique properties.
Since they are the foundation for flexible electronics, wearable health monitors, next-
generation sensors, and efficient optoelectronic devices, this method directly contributes to
technologies that will impact daily life in the near future.
National Importance of the Research
This innovation directly contributes to India’s National Quantum Mission, (an initiative
by the Government of India to propel the nation to the forefront of quantum technology
research and development with a budget allocation of ₹6,000 crore) by enabling durable
2D materials that are vital for quantum light sources, single-photon emitters, and
secure communication technologies. It also aligns with the growing global demand for
flexible electronics, wearable healthcare systems, and energy-efficient devices.
This initiative has the potential to establish India as a global leader in quantum
computing, secure communications, and advanced quantum materials. Two-
dimensional TMDs can play a pivotal role as single-photon emitters, valleytronics
platforms, and quantum light sources, crucial elements of quantum computing and
communication. The compatibility of such materials with flexible platforms also opens the
possibility of integrated quantum devices on bendable and transparent substrates, offering
design advantages that traditional bulk materials cannot achieve.
Practical Implications
The findings lay a strong foundation for building flexible electronics, wearable medical
sensors, lightweight solar cells, next-generation strain sensors, and tunable optical devices.
Since PDMS is biocompatible, the nanocomposite is especially promising for wearable
health monitors that can be directly attached to the human body for real-time tracking.
The method also allows vertical stacking of layers to integrate multiple functionalities on a
single compact platform. It is scalable, cost-effective, and free of complications, making it
suitable for industrial adoption.
One highlight of this research is that the process avoids harmful chemicals, reducing
environmental impact. With its long-term vision, the approach can accelerate the
development of durable, high-performance devices that fit seamlessly into smart
wearables, healthcare technologies, and energy-efficient systems, ultimately benefiting
society at large.
