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Award ID contains: 1941323

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  1. Abstract Organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs) are a class of materials that can transport ionic and electronic charge carriers simultaneously. They have shown broad applications in soft robotics, electrochemical transistors, and bio-electronics. The structural response of OMIECs to the mixed conduction populates from molecular conformation to devices, presenting challenges in understanding their mechanical behavior and constitutive descriptions. Furthermore, OMIECs feature strong multiphysics interactions among mechanics, electrostatics, charge conduction, mass transport, and microstructural evolution. In this review, we summarize recent progress in mechanistic understanding of OMIECs and highlight dynamics and heterogeneity underlying each element of mechanics. We introduce strain activation and breathing, mechanical properties, and degradation of OMIECs upon electrochemical doping and dedoping. Drawing on the state-of-the-art experimental and simulation insights, we highlight the critical role of multiscale dynamics in governing the functionality of OMIECs. We discuss the current understanding and limitation of constitutive relations and present computational frameworks that integrate multiphysics. We synthesize mechanics-driven strategies—spanning strain modulation, material stretchability, and interfacial stability—from molecular design to macroscopic structural engineering. We conclude with our perspective on the outstanding questions and key challenges for continued research. This review aims to organize the fundamental mechanical principles of OMIECs, offering a multidisciplinary framework for researchers to identify, analyze, and address mechanical challenges in mixed conducting polymers and their applications. 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available May 1, 2026
  2. Abstract Like silicon, single crystals of organic semiconductors are pursued to attain intrinsic charge transport properties. However, they are intolerant to mechanical deformation, impeding their application in flexible electronic devices. Such contradictory properties, namely exceptional molecular ordering and mechanical flexibility, are unified in this work. We found that bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene (TIPS‐P) crystals can undergo mechanically induced structural transitions to exhibit superelasticity and ferroelasticity. These properties arise from cooperative and correlated molecular displacements and rotations in response to mechanical stress. By utilizing a bending‐induced ferroelastic transition of TIPS‐P, flexible single‐crystal electronic devices were obtained that can tolerate strains (ϵ) of more than 13 % while maintaining the charge carrier mobility of unstrained crystals (μ>0.7 μ0). Our work will pave the way for high‐performance ultraflexible single‐crystal organic electronics for sensors, memories, and robotic applications. 
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  3. Free, publicly-accessible full text available January 14, 2026