Bendable non-silicon RISC-V microprocessor with under-a-dollar manufacturing cost could be a game-changer for smart sensors and wearables

Researchers have developed Flex-RV, a game-changing flexible microprocessor based on the RISC-V architecture and fabricated with indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs). This contraption (literally) moves beyond conventional silicon-based semiconductors - and what we have is a sub-dollar solution for low-power, bendable computing.

Flex-RV operates at 60 kHz with a power consumption of less than 6 mW, showing only a 4.3% performance variation even under tight bending conditions, thanks to its flexible polyimide substrate. Polyimide is specifically used as a substrate in this use-case because of its excellent thermal stability, high mechanical strength, and resistance to chemicals.

The processor integrates a programmable machine learning (ML) hardware accelerator, capable of executing ML workloads through custom RISC-V instructions. This feature supports on-chip AI computations, which means Flex-RV could be ideal for emerging applications such as healthcare wearables, smart packaging, and fast-moving consumer goods - especially where cost-effectiveness and form factor are critical. The computational requirements in these sectors are typically low, and Flex-RV meets these demands while offering flexibility and durability.

The fabrication process, which leverages IGZO TFTs, drastically lowers environmental impact compared to silicon-based counterparts, especially at sub-micron dimensions. Additionally, the over-edge printing (OEP) assembly method ensures that the Flex-RV die can be mounted onto flexible printed circuit boards (FlexPCBs) and maintain operational integrity during mechanical stress tests, withstanding a 3 mm bending radius - pretty significant for a component of that size.

Given its ultra-low cost, flexible design, and ML scope, Flex-RV could become mainstream in the future - a vital technology for next-generation wearable electronics, implantable medical devices, and smart sensors.