The ionic crosslink structure is configured to dissipate energy when the electroluminescent energy is subjected to mechanical loads by rupturing the ionic bonds within the ionic crosslink structure. The breaking of these ionic bonds dissipates the energy from the mechanical loading. The ionic bonds are restored (i.e. reformed) once the mechanical loads are removed from the electroluminescent device. The covalent crosslink structure is configured to provide a bridging structure to maintain the physical boundaries of each electrode. The covalent bonds generally remain and do not break hence prevents the electrode from dissociating.

This alternative configuration of the first and second electrode can be used with the electroluminescence layer as disclosed above. In this alternative configuration the electroluminescent layer can comprise first and second electrodes as disclosed in this alternative configuration with an electroluminescence layer as described earlier.

The electroluminescent device is flexible in response to one or more of bending loads, torsion loads, tensile loads and compression loads, the electroluminescent device is flexible such that function of the electroluminescence device is maintained in response to any one or more of the loads. The electroluminescent device is flexible in response to all of the loads such that function of the electroluminescence device is maintained in response to all of the loads.