Single body-coupled fiber enables chipless textile electronics

Abstract

Intelligent textiles provide an ideal platform for merging technology into daily routines. However, current textile electronic systems often rely on rigid silicon components, which limits seamless integration, energy efficiency, and comfort. Chipless electronic systems still face digital logic challenges owing to the lack of dynamic energy-switching carriers. We propose a chipless body-coupled energy interaction mechanism for ambient electromagnetic energy harvesting and wireless signal transmission through a single fiber. The fiber itself enables wireless visual–digital interactions without the need for extra chips or batteries on textiles. Because all of the electronic assemblies are merged in a miniature fiber, this facilitates scalable fabrication and compatibility with modern weaving techniques, thereby enabling versatile and intelligent clothing. We propose a strategy that may address the problems of silicon-based textile systems.

Recent Research Advances in Textile-Based Flexible Power Supplies and Displays for Smart Wearable Applications

“…The emergence of interactive fibers (i-fiber) breaks through the limitation of rigid components, and when the human body touches a certain position on the carpet, the fibers can be triggered to control the switch of the smart home through the coupling of the electromagnetic field (Figure 15a−c). 112 This provides a new way of thinking about a new generation of smart textiles, which is of great significance for improving people's home happiness index. Textile flexible power supply can provide energy for smart homes (Figure 15d).…”

“…(c) Controlling the switch of the home by excitation of optical fiber by the sole of the foot. Reproduced with permission from ref . Copyright 2024 the American Association for the Advancement of Science.…”

Silk-based intelligent fibers and textiles: structures, properties, and applications

“…In today's high-tech and globally connected society, versatile and highly adjustable fiber materials play a central role in many fields, including the textile, 1–3 construction, 4,5 medical, 6–8 automotive 9,10 and aerospace industries. 11,12 Silk Fibroin (SF), a typical representative of natural fibers, has received extensive attention in scientific research due to its unique chemical composition and structural properties.…”