Recent Progress of Fiber Shaped Lighting Devices for Smart Display Applications—A Fibertronic Perspective

Advances in material science and nanotechnology have fostered the miniaturization of devices. Over the past two decades, the form-factor of these devices has evolved from 3D rigid, volumetric devices through 2D film-based flexible electronics, finally to 1D fiber electronics (fibertronics). In this regard, fibertronic strategies toward wearable applications (e.g., electronic textiles (e-textiles)) have attracted considerable attention thanks to their capability to impart various functions into textiles with retaining textiles' intrinsic properties as well as imperceptible irritation by foreign matters. In recent years, extensive research has been carried out to develop various functional devices in the fiber form. Among various features, lighting and display features are the highly desirable functions in wearable electronics. This article discusses the recent progress of materials, architectural designs, and new fabrication technologies of fiber-shaped lighting devices and the current challenges corresponding to each device's operating mechanism. Moreover, opportunities and applications that the revolutionary convergence between the state-of-the-art fibertronic technology and age-long textile industry will bring in the future are also discussed.     

Evaluation of the electrical integrity of E-textiles subjected to environmental conditions

E-textiles contain electrically conductive elements and electronic devices that are integrated in textile substrate. Wearable e-textiles are expected to perform like textiles in terms of breathability, conformability, and comfort despite the presence of the electrically conductive elements and electronics. E-textiles are also expected to provide reliable data and signal processing like electronic devices while they are subjected to normal wear and tear under different environmental conditions. The goal of this research was to investigate the electrical integrity of e-textiles while they are subjected to environmental conditions. Different woven samples of electronic-improved outer tactical vest with two narrow conductive traces woven in the warp direction were subjected to range of temperatures and humidity, including extreme conditions. The effects of formation parameters (e-yarn type, number of e-yarns/trace, and weldability), temperature, and humidity on the integrity of the e-textiles were studied. It was found that resistance of networks was affected by changes in air temperature and humidity and the quality of the weld had the greatest impact on electrical integrity of the conductive network. This impact was pronounced in more extreme environmental conditions, which revealed that there was a strong interaction between the weldability, temperature, and humidity.     

Wearable Technologies,Portable Architectures and the Vicissitudes of the Space Between

The omnipresence of the iPod and mobile phone has ensured portable and wearable technologies' highly privileged position in contemporary society. They are at the top of the pile where conspicuous consumption is concerned - you only have to visit an Apple store on a Saturday afternoon to witness the degree to which this highly sought-after gadgetry has become subject to consumer frenzy and speculation. Here, Despina Papadopoulos reviews the particular social and cultural impact of wearable devices. She also welcomes in a new generation of interactive designers who are investigating the human and emotional potential of emergent technologies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development and testing of a stitched stretch sensor with the potential to measure human movement

Human movement in health sciences is typically measured using motion capture laboratory equipment, but this method has inherent limitations including cost, specialized knowledge requirements, and inability to measure activity in natural settings. This study presents a novel textile-based stretch sensor with potential for use for measurement of human movement in smart clothing. The sensor is composed of silver-plated thread stitched into a textile substrate. Multiple samples varying in thread type, length, stitch geometry, and textile substrate were systematically fabricated and tested. Elongation and recovery testing revealed the optimal sensor configuration for providing the largest and most repeatable change in resistance. Proper placement of these sensors in clothing may allow for a variety of applications, including kinematic measurement, activity monitoring, movement impairment detection, activity feedback, or control of environmental and assistive technologies.     

The design and development of an illuminated polymeric optical fibre (POF) knitted garment

Abstract

This paper presents a new design and development process for integrating illuminated Polymeric Optical Fibre (POF) into knitted garments, by incorporating POF directly into the looped structure. Fully-fashioned knitting is presented as a means of overcoming garment design restrictions in existing works. A key challenge this work addresses is the creation of more appealing and fashionable form-fitting illuminated POF garments. The resultant work, a tight-fitting knitted raglan sleeve jumper with a section of knitted POF demonstrates that new aesthetics can be achieved, with our new technique. This project builds on existing research into POF integration into fashion and textiles, whilst challenging the existing view that POF cannot be formed into a looped structure. This project used a hand flat knitting machine to produce the knitted POF garment, to balance the benefits of using handcraft techniques for challenging fibres, with the faster knitting speed better associated with using knitting machines.     

Soft Hybrid Scaffold (SHS) Strategy for Realization of Ultrahigh Energy Density of Wearable Aqueous Supercapacitors

Future wearable electronics requires safe and high-energy-density supercapacitors (SCs). Commercial SCs making use of organic electrolytes show high energy density, but the flammability of the electrolyte raises serious safety concerns. Aqueous SCs, on the other hand, are very safe, but the energy density is low due to the much narrower voltage window and the difficulty of fabricating thick electrodes. A new materials strategy named soft hybrid scaffold (SHS), which allows easy buildup of ultrathick electrodes made of 3D porous pseudo-material-modified carbon networks, is reported. The carbon network provides excellent mechanical stability and electric conductivity, the hierarchically porous structures ensure rapid ionic transport, and the pseudomaterials enlarge the electrochemical window. Asymmetric aqueous SCs using SHS electrodes show higher energy density than both commercial organic SCs and literature-reported aqueous SCs, with good cycle life and mechanical flexibility. The aqueous SC device is tailorable, waterproof, and fire-retardant, representing a high safety toward practical applications.     

From “100%” Utilization of MAX/MXene to Direct Engineering of Wearable,Multifunctional E-Textiles in Extreme Environments

Transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes) show great potential for preparing wearable, flexible multifunctional e-textiles due to the exceptional electrical and mechanical properties and easy processing in aqueous medium. At present, MXene-based e-textiles face challenges including high production costs, low utilization of precursor titanium aluminum carbide (MAX), poor durability in extreme environments, and the inability to achieve a balance between large-scale fabrication and high performance. Here, this work proposes a “100%” utilization of MAX/MXene strategy to produce additive-free conductive inks with controllable viscosity, subsequently enabling an accessible, scalable direct-blade-coating followed by chemical cross-linking approach for creating wearable, high-performance, multifunctional MXene-based e-textiles that perform in extreme conditions. The structural design provides integrated multifunctionality involving controllable and exceptional electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding within an ultrabroadband frequency range, visual electrothermal conversion, electrothermal deicing, remarkable visual photothermal, and antibacterial performance. This work employs a fabrication process that is simple, cost-effective, and scalable, presenting a novel “100% efficiency” and “waste-to-wealth” strategy to manufacture robust, durable, multifunctional e-textiles. This approach provides exciting potential for the next generation of wearable electronics, EMI compatibility, visual heating, thermotherapy, antibacterial treatments, deicing, defense, and aerospace applications.