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To realize the full gamut of functions that are envisaged for electronic textiles (e-textiles) a range of semiconducting, conducting and electrochemically active materials are needed. This article will discuss how metals, conducting polymers, carbon nanotubes, and two-dimensional (2D) materials, including graphene and MXenes, can be used in concert to create e-textile materials, from fibers and yarns to patterned fabrics. Many of the most promising architectures utilize several classes of materials (e.g., elastic fibers composed of a conducting material and a stretchable polymer, or textile devices constructed with conducting polymers or 2D materials and metal electrodes). While an increasing number of materials and devices display a promising degree of wash and wear resistance, sustainability aspects of e-textiles will require greater attention. Graphical abstract

A breathable tattoo electrode for bio-potential recording based on a Parylene C nanofilm is presented in this study. The proposed approach allows for the fabrication of micro-perforated epidermal submicrometer-thick electrodes that conjugate the unobtrusiveness of Parylene C nanofilms and the very important feature of breathability. The electrodes were fully validated for electrocardiography (ECG) measurements showing performance comparable to that of conventional disposable gelled Ag/AgCl electrodes, with no visible negative effect on the skin even many hours after their application. This result introduces interesting perspectives in the field of epidermal electronics, particularly in applications where critical on-body measurements are involved.

In recent years, graphene has found its use in numerous industrial applications due to its unique properties. While its impermeable and conductive nature can replace currently used anticorrosive toxic pigments in coating systems, due to its large strength to weight ratio, graphene can be an important component as a next-generation additive for automotive, aerospace and construction applications. The current bottlenecks in using graphene and graphene oxide and other two-dimensional materials are the availability of cost-effective, high-quality materials and their effective incorporation (functionalization and dispersion) into the product matrices. On overcoming these factors, graphene may attract significant demands in terms of volume consumption. Graphene can be produced on industrial scales and through cost-effective top-down routes such as chemical, electrochemical and/or high-pressure mechanical exfoliation. Graphene, depending on end applications, can be chemically tuned and modified via functionalization so that easy incorporation into product matrices is possible. This paper discusses different production methods and their impact on the quality of graphene produced in terms of energy input. Graphene with an average thickness below five layers was produced by both methods with varied defects. However, a higher yield of graphene with a lower number of layers was produced via the high-pressure exfoliation route. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘A cracking approach to inventing new tough materials: fracture stranger than friction’.

The growing cancer burden necessitates the development of cost-effective solutions that provide rapid, precise and personalised information to improve patient outcome. The aim of this study was to develop a novel, Lab-on-Chip compatible method for the detection and quantification of DNA methylation for MGMT, a well-established molecular biomarker for glioblastoma, with direct clinical translation as a predictive target. A Lab-on-Chip compatible isothermal amplification method (LAMP) was used to test its efficacy for detection of sequence-specific methylated regions of MGMT, with the method's specificity and sensitivity to have been compared against gold-standards (MethyLight, JumpStart). Our LAMP primer combinations were shown to be specific to the MGMT methylated region, while sensitivity assays determined that the amplification methods were capable of running at clinically relevant DNA concentrations of 0.2 -20 ng/µL. For the first time, the ability to detect the presence of DNA methylation on bisulfite converted DNA was demonstrated on a Lab-on-Chip setup, laying the foundation for future applications of this platform to other epigenetic biomarkers in a point-of-care setting. †M.J. and B.F.S. have contributed equally to this work.