Researchers Reveal Molecular Secrets of Flexible Electronics

Study provides first experimental evidence that mechanical stiffness of individual molecules affects overall material flexibility.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have used atomic force microscopy to measure the mechanical stiffness of individual molecules in organic semiconductors, providing the first experimental evidence that a material's flexibility at the molecular scale can impact its electronic performance. The findings, published in Nature Communications, show that adding flexible side chains to the rigid molecular core of an organic semiconductor like DNTT reduces the overall stiffness, which could have implications for the design of faster and more efficient flexible electronics.

Why it matters

Flexible electronics promise bendable screens, lightweight solar cells, and wearable devices, but the relationship between molecular-scale flexibility and electronic performance has been unclear. This research provides new insights into how the mechanical properties of individual molecules contribute to a material's overall flexibility, which could help guide the development of next-generation flexible technologies that balance softness and electronic capabilities.

The details

The researchers used atomic force microscopy to map the stiffness of thin films of the organic semiconductor DNTT and related molecules with different chemical 'side chains' attached to the rigid molecular core. They found that materials with longer, more flexible side chains were significantly softer when pressed perpendicular to the surface compared to the unsubstituted DNTT, which was the stiffest. Computer simulations independently predicted the same reduction in stiffness when flexible side chains were introduced, confirming the experimental findings.

  • The research was published in the journal Nature Communications on February 20, 2026.

The players

Dr. Deepak Venkateshvaran

A researcher from the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge who led the study.

University of Cambridge

The institution where the research was conducted.

DNTT

An organic semiconductor material widely used in flexible transistors that was the focus of the study.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Silicon electronics are fast partly because silicon is very stiff and orderly, so it's easy for electrical charges to move around. For decades, we've built flexible electronics without really understanding what flexibility means at the molecular scale, and whether it might have an impact on how well these materials can conduct electricity.”

— Dr. Deepak Venkateshvaran, Researcher, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge (Mirage News)

“People have always assumed that adding flexible side chains would soften a material, but no one had ever measured that effect directly at the molecular level. The effect is subtle, and you only see it if you're extremely careful.”

— Dr. Deepak Venkateshvaran, Researcher, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge (Mirage News)

What’s next

The researchers say their findings open the door to molecular-level design of mechanical properties, as tuning the stiffness of individual molecules could allow engineers to create materials with specific mechanical or electronic behaviors. Future work will explore whether there is a fundamental limit on the speed and efficiency of flexible electronic devices due to molecular-scale flexibility.

The takeaway

This research provides the first experimental evidence that the mechanical properties of individual molecules can significantly impact the overall flexibility of organic semiconductor materials, which has important implications for the development of next-generation flexible electronics that balance softness and electronic performance.