Imagine a digital screen that’s not only bendable but can also heal itself when it cracks. Thanks to a novel material developed by an astute team of scientists, that may soon be actually possible.

Coming from the NUS Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, the new invention is stretchable, self-healing, and even illuminating. The material, called HELIOS (Healable, Low-field Illuminating Optoelectronic Stretchable) can be used in both wearables and robotics.

As the lead researcher, Benjamin Tee, explains, “Conventional stretchable optoelectronic materials require high voltage and high frequencies to achieve visible brightness, which limits portability and operating lifetimes. Such materials are also difficult to apply safely and quietly on human-machine interfaces”.

To overcome these challenges, the team of researchers began studying and experimenting with different possible solutions and eventually developed HELIOS — a transparent, elastic rubber sheet made up of a unique blend of fluoroelastomer (a synthetic rubber) and surfactant (a detergent).

This particular blend that the material is made of enables devices to turn on at voltages that are four times lower and achieve illumination that is more than 20 times brighter. HELIOS can also achieve a longer operating lifetime thanks to its low power consumption.

It is safe for use in human-machine interfaces and can be powered wirelessly. Finally, the material is resistant to tears and punctures since the reversible bonds between its molecules can be easily reformed.

According to Tee, “There is huge value in using HELIOS to create ‘invincible’ light-emitting devices or displays that are not only durable but also energy-efficient. This could generate long-term cost savings for manufacturers and consumers, reduce electronic waste and energy consumption, and, in turn, enable advanced display technologies to become both wallet and environmentally friendly”.