From 1D to 2D to 3D: Electrospun Microstructures towards Wearable Sensing

Abstract

Wearable sensors open unprecedented opportunities for long-term health monitoring and human–machine interaction. Electrospinning is considered to be an ideal technology to produce functional structures for wearable sensors because of its unique merits to endow devices with highly designable functional microstructures, outstanding breathability, biocompatibility, and comfort, as well as its low cost, simple process flow, and high productivity. Recent advances in wearable sensors with one-, two-, or three-dimensional (1D, 2D, or 3D) electrospun microstructures have promoted various applications in healthcare, action monitoring, and physiological information recognition. Particularly, the development of various novel electrospun microstructures different from conventional micro/nanofibrous structures further enhances the electrical, mechanical, thermal, and optical performances of wearable sensors and provides them with multiple detection functions and superior practicality. In this review, we discuss (i) the principle and typical apparatus of electrospinning, (ii) 1D, 2D, and 3D electrospun microstructures for wearable sensing and their construction strategies and physical properties, (iii) applications of microstructured electrospun wearable devices in sensing pressure, temperature, humidity, gas, biochemical molecules, and light, and (iv) challenges of future electrospun wearable sensors for physiological signal recognition, behavior monitoring, personal protection, and health diagnosis.

Electrospun nanofibers synthesis enhancing the activity of energy storage devices/electrochemical and biosensor applications

“…Nanofibers can be prepared by either electrospinning or centrifugal spinning [68,70,71]. The downside of electrospinning is its low yield, despite its ability to create fibres of variable sizes [86].…”

“…Therefore, it is a new area of study for scientists to combine those two technologies to strike a balance between size tunability and high-yield. As illustrated in Figure 6a, the first example comes from Chen's lab, which modified a conventional electrospinning apparatus by adding a centrifugal force generator [71]. The extra centrifugal field can smooth out the hiccups in the electrospinning procedure, leading to more consistent solution jet stability.…”

Electrospun Nanofibers for Biomedical, Sensing, and Energy Harvesting Functions

“…PVDF-based sensors/energy harvesters show promise for the early evaluation and prevention of cardiovascular diseases and respiratory disorders, as well as many pressurerelated acute and chronic diseases [107]. In recent years, flexible electronics and integrable sensors for wearable human motion monitoring and tactile sensing applications have shown rapid progress [108]. As an example, Li et al studied a one-step strategy for fabricating core/shell PVDF/dopamine nanofibers [107] for biomedical sensors by testing the produced sensor on human skin and in vivo in mice.…”