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The breakthrough by researchers at Michigan State University raises the possibility of cheap, mass produced smart fabrics, which could in turn lead to a new generation of breathtaking - and

affordable - elasticated technology. 

Scientists weren't shy in suggesting what the development could mean - even creating a display the size of a wall.

Chuan Wang, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, said: "Our work could soon lead to printed displays that can easily be stretched to larger sizes, as well as wearable

electronics and soft robotics applications."

Ideas include super thin tablet computers that can easily be stretched from pocket sized to wide screen, or wallpaper that could become a wall-size television or electronic display at the

flick of a switch. 

Other uses could include rubber band like wrist monitors for joggers, measuring heartrate or distance covered, ScienceDaily reported. 

One of the biggest advantages to the new technology over existing flexible electronics is that it could realistically be folded, hugely reducing the risk of breakage. 

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The smart fabric is made of nanomaterials dissolved in a solution to produce an electronic ink.

Wang and his team estimate the fabric could become commercially available in "one or two years" - once they manage to combine the stretchable circuit with a light-emitting diode into a

single pixel.

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