Soft Fiber Electronics Based on Semiconducting Polymer

Abstract

Fibers, originating from nature and mastered by human, have woven their way throughout the entire history of human civilization. Recent developments in semiconducting polymer materials have further endowed fibers and textiles with various electronic functions, which are attractive in applications such as information interfacing, personalized medicine, and clean energy. Owing to their ability to be easily integrated into daily life, soft fiber electronics based on semiconducting polymers have gained popularity recently for wearable and implantable applications. Herein, we present a review of the previous and current progress in semiconducting polymer-based fiber electronics, particularly focusing on smart-wearable and implantable areas. First, we provide a brief overview of semiconducting polymers from the viewpoint of materials based on the basic concepts and functionality requirements of different devices. Then we analyze the existing applications and associated devices such as information interfaces, healthcare and medicine, and energy conversion and storage. The working principle and performance of semiconducting polymer-based fiber devices are summarized. Furthermore, we focus on the fabrication techniques of fiber devices. Based on the continuous fabrication of one-dimensional fiber and yarn, we introduce two-and three-dimensional fabric fabricating methods. Finally, we review challenges and relevant perspectives and potential solutions to address the related problems.

Highly Sensitive Fiber Pressure Sensors over a Wide Pressure Range Enabled by Resistive-Capacitive Hybrid Response

“…Soft electronics that can conform to curves and deformable surfaces are in high demand in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, , human-machine interaction, − and healthcare monitoring. − Among them, soft fiber electronics play an indispensable role . Compared to various types of wearable electronics, fiber is an ideal candidate for sensitive electronic skin due to its excellent flexibility, breathability, and skin compatibility. , Meanwhile, fiber is the smallest unit in the textile industry.…”

“…6−8 Among them, soft fiber electronics play an indispensable role. 9 Compared to various types of wearable electronics, fiber is an ideal candidate for sensitive electronic skin due to its excellent flexibility, breathability, and skin compatibility. 10,11 Meanwhile, fiber is the smallest unit in the textile industry.…”

Intensive and thermally conductive boron nitride/aramid nanofiber composite fibers fabricated via a wet spinning technique

“…Compared with other materials, polymer fibers have significant advantages such as light weight, corrosion resistance, durability, strong mechanical properties, and easy processing. [7][8][9][10] Nevertheless, currently available high mechanical performance polymer fiber textiles are essentially thermal insulators. Nowadays, metals and ceramics are still the main thermal conductors, 11 and countless attempts have been made to improve the thermal conductivity of polymers.…”

Electrospun Multilayered Films Based on Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), Copolyamide 1010/1014, and Electrosprayed Nanostructured Silica

“…In this sense, electrohydrodynamic processing (EHDP), such as electrospinning and electrospraying technologies, has proven to be a simple and versatile technique for manufacturing novel materials for different applications [ 5 , 6 , 7 ], among which the development of smart food packaging materials with enhanced functional properties stands out. By means of this technique, it is possible to produce micro- and/or nanostructures from a wide range of polymers in a versatile and controlled manner [ 8 ].…”