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Conductive and Elastic 3D Helical Fibers for Use in Washable and Wearable Electronics
Author(s) -
Yang Zihang,
Zhai Zirui,
Song Zeming,
Wu Yingzhu,
Liang Jiahao,
Shan Yingfa,
Zheng Jinren,
Liang Haichao,
Jiang Hanqing
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201907495
Subject(s) - materials science , electrical conductor , composite material , electronics , stretchable electronics , elastomer , fiber , wearable technology , flexible electronics , thermoplastic polyurethane , wearable computer , nanotechnology , computer science , electrical engineering , embedded system , engineering
Due to the intrinsic properties of fabrics, fabric‐based wearable systems have certain advantages over elastomeric material‐based stretchable electronics. Here, a method to produce highly stretchable, conductive, washable, and solderable fibers that consist of elastic polyurethane (PU) fibers and conductive Cu fibers, which are used as interconnects for wearable electronics, is reported. The 3D helical shape results from stress relaxation of the prestretched PU fiber and the plasticity of the Cu fiber, which provides a predictable way to manipulate the morphology of the 3D fibers. The present fibers have superior mechanical and electrical properties to many other conductive fibers fabricated through different approaches. The 3D helical fibers can be readily integrated with fabrics and other functional components to build fabric‐based wearable systems.