In a groundbreaking study that could revolutionize the future of wearable electronics and flexible computing devices, researchers have unveiled a new class of all-polymer complementary logic circuits that operate at voltages below 1 volt. This is a significant milestone in the realm of flexible electronics, particularly because these circuits employ electrolyte-gated transistors, combining ultra-low voltage operation with mechanical flexibility and scalability. The team, led by Kim, S.J., Park, D.H., and Lee, Y.N., has demonstrated the first sub-1V flexible complementary circuits fully constructed from polymer-based materials, opening exciting pathways toward next-generation low-power, bendable electronics that could seamlessly integrate with human interfaces.
Traditional logic circuits often rely on rigid silicon-based components, which impose strict limits on flexibility and power consumption. The shift toward organic electronic materials has been promising in addressing flexibility, but challenges related to operating voltages and environmental stability have remained formidable obstacles. The innovation of electrolyte-gated transistors in this context marks a critical advance. Electrolyte gating exploits the formation of electric double layers with extremely high capacitance at the electrolyte/semiconductor interface, enabling effective switching at substantially lower voltages than conventional dielectric gating methods.
The novel circuits, entirely crafted from polymer semiconductors, ion-conducting electrolytes, and flexible substrates, demonstrate complementary logic performance—meaning they integrate both p-type and n-type transistor functionalities. Achieving complementary operation solely with polymers had long been considered a major hurdle due to the inherent instability and low mobility of n-type organic semiconductors. By carefully selecting polymer materials and optimizing the electrolyte interface, the researchers successfully achieved balanced carrier mobilities, stable transistor operation, and robust switching characteristics, all within a flexible footprint.
Unlike standard rigid electronics, the polymer-based electrolyte-gated transistors maintain their electrical performance even under substantial bending and mechanical stress. This mechanical resilience is essential for the development of wearable sensors, conformal displays, and implantable medical devices where form factor and power constraints are critical. By utilizing soft polymers and gel electrolytes that provide both ionic conductivity and mechanical compliance, the devices sustained repeated flexing without performance degradation, signaling their suitability for real-world flexible electronics applications.
One of the most compelling features of this breakthrough is the sub-1V operating voltage. Conventional flexible organic transistors typically require voltage levels of 5V or higher to operate, limiting their integration with low-power systems and posing challenges for battery size and energy consumption. The researchers’ approach dramatically reduces voltage requirements through the unique properties of electrolyte gating, which dramatically enhances capacitive coupling and charge modulation at the interface without increasing leakage current or sacrificing switching speed.
In-depth characterization revealed that the electrolyte-gated polymer transistors could switch reliably at voltages as low as 0.6 volts, with an on/off current ratio exceeding 10^4 and threshold voltages near zero. Such performance metrics not only reduce power consumption but also pave the way for direct integration with energy harvesting devices, flexible batteries, and low-voltage logic families, making the technology highly attractive for portable and self-sustaining electronics.
Beyond single transistors, the team demonstrated fully functional complementary logic gates and basic computing elements constructed entirely from these polymer electrolyte-gated transistors. Crucially, these logic circuits exhibited stable switching and noise margins necessary for digital logic operation, marking a critical advancement from proof-of-concept transistors to integrated logic circuits that can carry out computations at room temperature and under mechanical deformation.
The architecture of the complementary logic circuits leverages the inherent advantages of polymers, such as tunable electronic properties through chemical synthesis, low-temperature fabrication techniques, and compatibility with roll-to-roll processing. This combination results in a scalable, economically viable manufacturing pathway for next-generation flexible electronics, moving the field closer to commercialization and widespread adoption.
Moreover, the research addresses the enduring challenge of complementarity in polymer electronics. By combining p-type and n-type polymer semiconductors with gel electrolytes that facilitate electrochemical switching, the circuits achieve near-ideal inverter performances—essential for complex logic operations. This accomplishment overturns the traditional view that achieving efficient n-type switching in polymer devices is prohibitively difficult due to electron trapping and instability.
In terms of materials science, the electrolyte used in this work functions both as a gating medium and as an ion reservoir, enabling fast and reversible doping/dedoping processes in the polymer channels. The interplay between ionic and electronic transport within these devices highlights a unique electrochemical mechanism distinct from conventional field-effect transistor operation, providing a new platform for low-voltage, flexible electronics design.
The reported flexible logic circuits also exhibit low hysteresis and fast response times, addressing a common drawback in electrolyte-gated devices where slow ion migration can lead to signal lag and performance inconsistencies. The meticulous chemical engineering of the electrolyte composition and polymer interfaces minimized these effects, resulting in circuits that balance low-voltage operation with high switching speed and stability.
Potential applications of these all-polymer complementary circuits are vast, ranging from ultra-low power wearable health monitoring systems to flexible displays and interactive textiles. The inherent biocompatibility and soft nature of the materials make them prime candidates for bio-integrated electronics, capable of conforming to skin or implant surfaces without provoking irritation or mechanical failure.
This advance also has significant implications for the burgeoning Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, where tiny, flexible sensor nodes powered by minimal voltage are highly desirable for widespread distributed sensing. The ability to implement complex logic with polymers at room temperature and ambient conditions could lead to a new paradigm in ubiquitous electronics seamlessly embedded in everyday objects.
Looking ahead, the researchers suggest that integrating these polymer complementary circuits with advanced materials such as graphene or 2D semiconductors could further improve device performance, pushing speeds higher and enabling multifunctional, flexible electronics with enhanced capabilities. Additionally, optimization of the electrolyte chemistry and encapsulation methods promises to improve device lifetime and environmental stability critical for practical deployment.
The work by Kim, Park, Lee, and colleagues represents a monumental step forward in organic electronics, providing a tangible strategy to overcome traditional limitations in polymer transistor technology. The demonstration of fully functional, flexible, sub-1V complementary logic circuits fabricated entirely from soft polymers and electrolytes signals the dawn of a new generation of electronics characterized by unprecedented adaptability, energy efficiency, and integration potential.
In summary, the advent of these electrolyte-gated, all-polymer complementary logic circuits heralds transformative possibilities for future flexible electronics applications. Their ability to operate at ultra-low voltages, combined with mechanical flexibility and the economic benefits of polymer processing, makes this technology a cornerstone for next-generation smart devices. As research continues to refine material systems and device architectures, the prospect of flexible, biocompatible, and energy-efficient electronic systems integrated seamlessly into daily life draws closer to reality.
Subject of Research: Flexible all-polymer complementary logic circuits and electrolyte-gated transistors operating below 1 volt.
Article Title: Sub-1V, flexible, all-polymer complementary logic circuits based on electrolyte-gated transistors.
Article References:
Kim, S.J., Park, D.H., Lee, Y.N. et al. Sub-1V, flexible, all-polymer complementary logic circuits based on electrolyte-gated transistors. npj Flex Electron (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-026-00530-y
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