Scientists from the University of Tokyo have developed a stretchy, rubbery material which is able to conduct electricity.

When the material, which comprises single wall carbon nanotubes, elastic resin and an ionic liquid, is attached to a grid of tiny transistors, it cab be stretched up to 2.34 times its original size, without adverse effects to the conductivity. Later it reverts to its original form.

A similar material was developed in 2005, but was only able to stretch 1.25 longer than its original size, and its conductivity limited to 10S/cm. The newly developed material has a conductivity of 57S/cm.

According to a paper published by the scientists working on the project, the material could be used to create flexible electronics, and there have been suggestions it could be used on the joints of a robot’s arm.