A Robust Core–Shell Structured Fabric with Integrated Personal Protection and Visualized Monitoring for Smart Protective Textiles

Abstract

The development of intelligent textiles that integrate impact protection with real-time sensing capabilities is of critical importance for next-generation wearable protective systems. Despite extensive usage of conventional protective films/elastomers, their inherent planar geometries compromise wearing comfort, and the universal absence of real-time impact detection/location capabilities restricts application prospects. To address these challenges, an intelligent shear-stiffening-based mechanoluminescent fiber (ML-TPS) is developed through integrated wet-spinning and coating technology. This fiber combines a shear-stiffening polymer core with a ZnS:Cu/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mechanoluminescent coating, synergistically enabling excellent impact resistance and spatiotemporal force visualization. The resultant 4 mm-thick ML-TPS fabric maintains exceptional flexibility, breathability, and high impact energy dissipation (efficiency > 90%) while demonstrating rapid damage localization (response time < 6 ms) and quantitative impact assessment (R² = 0.95 linear correlation), surpassing conventional materials in temporal resolution. The fabricated visual sensing matrix enables visual localization, showing unique advantages in scenarios requiring rapid impact response, such as sports protection and personal safety. Finally, the multi-scenario applicability of ML-TPS fibers is demonstrated through human motion monitoring and underwater warning validation. This work provides a new paradigm for developing active protection-type intelligent wearable systems.

Graphical abstract

To enhance the comfort and impact resistance of protective materials while enabling real-time impact visualization, ML-TPS fibers consisting of ZnS:Cu/PDMS shell layers and shear-stiffening polymer cores were developed. Smart textiles based on these fibers offer efficient protection and instant impact localization, making them ideal for rapid-response applications, such as sports safety and personal protection. Finally, the versatility of ML-TPS fibers across various scenarios is demonstrated through human motion monitoring and impact-triggered early warning capabilities.

Keywords

Shear stiffening / Impact resistance / Force visualization / Sensing matrix / Intelligent wearable

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(12132016)

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(WK2090000060)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Donghua University, Shanghai, China