Active Electronic Fibers and Woven Logic

Abstract

Giving textiles electronic functions while retaining the flexibility of weaves would open up new avenues for already mature textile technology. We review recent developments in this field, focusing on the combination of electronic polymers and textile fibers to make microstructured electronic systems on fiber platforms/weaves. The combinatorial possibilities inherent to crossing fibers in weaves may be exploited for large scale construction of many devices, with appropriate addressing and signaling, in processes derived from classical textile technology. The electronic elements realized on these substrates include electrochemical and field effect transistors, photovoltaic devices, and light emitting devices. We discuss the requirements for embedding electronic systems into textile due to the geometrical flexibility of textile fibers, conductivity of wires and geometries of active devices in the form of fiber crossings.

Citation

Hamedi, M. and Inganäs, O. (2010), "Active Electronic Fibers and Woven Logic", Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, Vol. 14 No. 4, pp. 106-117. https://doi.org/10.1108/RJTA-14-04-2010-B012