Smart Fibers for Self-Powered Electronic Skins

Xiaoshuang Lv; Yang Liu; Jianyong Yu; Zhaoling Li; Bin Ding

doi:10.1007/s42765-022-00236-6

Advanced Fiber Materials ›› 2022, Vol. 5 ›› Issue (2) : 401 -428. DOI: 10.1007/s42765-022-00236-6

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Smart Fibers for Self-Powered Electronic Skins

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¹Shanghai Frontier Science Research Center for Modern Textiles, College of Textiles, Donghua University, 201620, Shanghai, China

²College of Information Science and Technology, Donghua University, 201620, Shanghai, China

³Innovation Center for Textile Science and Technology, Donghua University, 200051, Shanghai, China

^d zli@dhu.edu.cn

^e binding@dhu.edu.cn

Xiaoshuang Lv

received her B.S. degree in Textile Engineering from Tiangong University, China in 2020. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the College of Textiles in Donghua University majoring in Textile Material and Textiles Design. Her research focuses on piezoelectric materials, flexible pressure sensors, and smart electronic skins in the form of functional fibers and textiles.

Yang Liu

is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Donghua University. Yang Liu received his BS degree from the South-Central University for Nationalities in China in 2012, his MS degree from the Chonbuk National University in South Korea in 2014, and his PhD from Yonsei University in 2017. Yang Liu’s research interests include liquid crystal photonics, liquid crystal devices, and interactive displays.

Jianyong Yu

received his BS, MS, and PhD degrees from the College of Textiles, Donghua University in 1985, 1988, and 1991, respectively. He is currently a Full Professor at the Innovation Center for Textile Science and Technology, Donghua University, and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. His research interests include natural and synthetic fibers, functional textile materials, textile composites, and industrial textiles.

Zhaoling Li

received his BS in Chemistry from Taishan University in 2008 and MS in Physical Chemistry from Shandong University of Technology in 2011. He then obtained his PhD degree from Donghua University majoring in Textile Engineering in 2016. He is now a Full Professor at the College of Textiles, Donghua University. His research mainly focuses on nano energy, electronic skin, pressure sensors, micro/nanofibers, functional fabrics, and smart wearable technology.

Bin Ding

received his BS from Northeast Normal University (China) in 1998 and his MS from Chonbuk National University (Korea) in 2003. After that he earned his PhD degree at Keio University (Japan) in 2005. Currently he is a Full Professor at the Innovation Center for Textile Science and Technology, Donghua University. His research mainly focuses on filtration materials, waterproof and breathable fabrics, oil–water separation materials, flexible ceramic nanofibers, and nanofiber aerogels.

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Abstract

Smart fibers are considered as promising materials for the fabrication of wearable electronic skins owing to their features such as superior flexibility, light weight, high specific area, and ease of modification. Besides, piezoelectric or triboelectric electronic skins can respond to mechanical stimulation and directly convert the mechanical energy into electrical power for self-use, thereby providing an attractive method for tactile sensing and motion perception. The incorporation of sensing capabilities into smart fibers could be a powerful approach to the development of self-powered electronic skins. Herein, we review several aspects of the recent advancements in the development of self-powered electronic skins constructed with smart fibers. The summarized aspects include functional material selection, structural design, pressure sensing mechanism, and proof-to-concept demonstration to practical application. In particular, various fabrication strategies and a wide range of practical applications have been systematically introduced. Finally, a critical assessment of the challenges and promising perspectives for the development of fiber-based electronic skins has been presented.

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Xiaoshuang Lv, Yang Liu, Jianyong Yu, Zhaoling Li, Bin Ding. Smart Fibers for Self-Powered Electronic Skins. Advanced Fiber Materials, 2022, 5(2): 401-428 DOI:10.1007/s42765-022-00236-6