Breaking New Ground: IIT Mandi’s Flexible Material Could Power the Next Generation of Wearable Tech

In a laboratory at IIT Mandi, researchers have solved a problem that has long plagued the field of flexible electronics and wearable tech: how to maintain the stability and functionality of atomically thin materials in real-world conditions. Their solution, a composite material called WS₂–PDMS, could transform everything from bendable smartphones to wearable health monitors.

The research, led by Prof. Viswanath Balakrishnan along with Yadu Chandran, Dr Deepa Thakur, and Anjali Sharma, has been published in Advanced Functional Materials. It also contributes to India’s National Quantum Mission, with promising applications in quantum technologies and optoelectronics.

The Problem with Thin Materials

For years, researchers have looked to graphene and other 2D materials as the foundation for next-generation devices. But these materials come with serious limitations. Over four years, oxidation and degradation of thin 2D materials like WS₂ were observed, leading to poor device efficiency. Traditional transfer techniques often damaged the delicate flakes, causing slippage, weak adhesion, and loss of optical or electrical properties.

When asked about the challenges of working with atomically thin materials, the research team was candid about the difficulties. “Atomically thin materials like WS₂ monolayers are incredibly delicate and can degrade when exposed to air, moisture, or strong light,” they explain. “Transferring them onto flexible surfaces often leads to damage, such as loss of their unique properties or even peeling.”

The high temperature requirements for direct growth of WS₂ on polymer substrates make conventional approaches impractical. Something had to change.

A Breakthrough Method

To tackle these challenges, the IIT Mandi team developed a water-based encapsulation method that sandwiches WS₂ monolayers between layers of PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane), an optically transparent polymer.

“We developed a gentle, water-based encapsulation method using PDMS,” the researchers explain. “This polymeric material acts as both a clear support layer and a protective shield, helping to maintain the optical and electrical qualities of WS₂.”

The process involves growing WS₂ monolayers on silicon substrates using chemical vapour deposition, then transferring them using a controlled water-mediated process. The monolayers are then encased in PDMS layers, protecting the material from oxidation while maintaining its inherent optical and electrical characteristics.

The approach overcomes two major challenges, preserving performance and preventing physical damage, while producing a final structure that’s strong, flexible, and chemically stable.

The results have been impressive. The team demonstrated that encapsulating monolayer WS₂ in PDMS maintained stability for over a year without any signs of oxidation and degradation. Vertical stacking of WS₂-PDMS layers enhanced optical absorption by more than fourfold while preserving the intrinsic properties of the monolayers. The composite exhibited excellent flexibility and durability, withstanding thousands of bending cycles without delamination.

“This technique is scalable for device fabrication, which will provide superior stability for several years and permits vertical stacking to improve optical absorption,” the team notes. “For flexible and heterostructure devices, containing multiple van der Waals layers, the demonstrated method is suitable and non-destructive in nature.”

Speaking about the breakthrough, Prof. Viswanath Balakrishnan, Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, IIT Mandi, said: “This development is 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.”

Advancing India’s Quantum Mission

The innovation arrives at a crucial time for India’s scientific ambitions. The National Quantum Mission, launched by the Government of India with a budget allocation of ₹6,000 crore, aims to propel the nation to the forefront of quantum technology research and development.

When asked how their work contributes to this mission, the researchers were enthusiastic. “The development of next-generation quantum materials and devices is one of the primary goals of India’s National Quantum Mission, and the development of high-quality and stable 2D materials for quantum applications is directly supported by the WS₂–PDMS layered composite.”

They explain that 2D materials like WS₂, with their strong light-related properties and adjustable energy levels, are well-suited for advanced technologies like single-photon devices, data storage based on electron behaviour, and photonic memristors.

“Our research offers a solid foundation for integration of monolayers and heterostructures into quantum devices by guaranteeing mechanical flexibility along with long-term stability,” they add. “This innovation pioneers research with scalable application, which will boost India’s capabilities in fabrication of 2D materials for flexible quantum technologies.”

Two-dimensional materials 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.

Transforming Wearable Tech: From Lab to Life

The implications for wearable technology are particularly exciting. For any material to succeed in wearables, it must meet several demanding requirements.

“All the materials for wearable technologies must be biocompatible, light in weight, flexible and long-term in age,” the researchers emphasise. “WS₂–PDMS composite supports the manufacturing of bendable electronics, flexible displays and health monitor sensors.”

The encapsulated WS₂ layers preserve long-term functional stability, and the biocompatibility of PDMS permits safe direct contact with the human body. 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.

“It will fix a significant flaw in earlier materials, which will support both industrial development and cutting-edge research in these flexible electronics,” they note. “With a scalable foundation of innovation, high-performance devices in India as the wearable technology sector grows internationally.”

Prof. Balakrishnan added that “this research will help create 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.”

Real-World Applications: Where Wearable Tech Meets Innovation

Looking ahead, the research team sees numerous practical applications emerging in the near future.

“The WS₂–PDMS composite has potential applications in the near future, including transparent electronic displays, wearable health monitors, flexible photodetectors, strain sensors, and lightweight solar panels,” they outline. “It is especially well-suited for real-time health monitoring devices due to its optical performance, mechanical robustness, and biocompatibility.”

The ability to vertically stack monolayers enables multifunctional devices like photonic memristors and tunable optoelectronic sensors, all integrated on a single compact platform. The method also allows multiple functionalities to be combined efficiently.

Importantly, the approach is cost-effective and scalable, making it suitable for industrial adoption. The process avoids harmful chemicals, reducing environmental impact, a consideration that’s increasingly important in materials science.

“In the medium term, this technology may support flexible quantum-enabled devices, energy-efficient electronics, and intelligent healthcare solutions,” the researchers predict.

A Message for the Next Generation

With India’s recent announcement of setting up a national-level hub for 2D materials research in a consortium model, involving a large number of academic institutes and industries, opportunities for young researchers are expanding rapidly.

The team has encouraging words for students aspiring to work in advanced materials or quantum technologies.

“I encourage young researchers to continue being inquisitive, hard-working, and resilient,” they share. “Working with sophisticated materials calls for patience and accuracy because mistakes and difficulties are a necessary part of the learning process.”

They stress that interdisciplinary thinking is crucial. “Since important breakthroughs occur at the nexus of materials science, physics, engineering, and related fields, interdisciplinary thinking and the ability to conduct critical experiments are crucial.”

Their advice is practical and heartfelt: “Young talent has many opportunities thanks to India’s strategic investments in quantum technologies. I urge students to work together, concentrate on real-world problem-solving, and conduct thorough research with dedication. Today’s efforts in quantum technology and advanced materials have the potential to significantly impact both scientific developments and society.”

The Future of Wearable Tech Starts Here

This breakthrough from IIT Mandi goes beyond a technical milestone. By overcoming the stability challenges of atomically thin materials, the research opens new possibilities for devices that bend, flex, and integrate seamlessly into daily life.

The findings provide a strong foundation for flexible electronics, wearable tech, medical sensors, lightweight solar cells, next-generation strain sensors, and tunable optical devices. This approach could accelerate the development of durable, high-performance devices for smart wearables, healthcare technologies, and energy-efficient systems.

As the global push for flexible and wearable tech grows, from bendable smartphones to real-time health-monitoring sensors, IIT Mandi’s work positions India at the forefront of this emerging field. The initiative also holds promise for establishing India as a leader in quantum computing, secure communications, and advanced quantum materials.

For now, the team continues their work, driven by the knowledge that today’s lab experiments could become tomorrow’s everyday technology, benefiting society at large.