Researchers from Nanyang Technological University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have made a significant breakthrough in the field of wearable technology. They have developed ‘hair-thin’ semiconductor fibers that can be seamlessly woven into any fabric, paving the way for the creation of smart wearable electronics.
The team’s first author, Wan Zhixun, highlighted the extensive analysis and experimentation involved in identifying the right combination of materials and processes to produce these innovative fibers. By leveraging the distinct melting points and thermal expansion rates of the chosen materials, the researchers successfully pulled the semiconductor materials into long, defect-free threads as they passed through heating furnaces.
The semiconductor fibers are composed of a silicon semiconductor core with a silica glass tube and a germanium core with an aluminosilicate glass tube, all of which are commonly available materials. The silicon version is well-suited for extreme conditions, while the germanium version is capable of interfacing with light-based technologies, such as Li-Fi networks. The cores are inserted into the glass tubes, heated, stretched through an extruder, and then combined with a softer polymer tube and metal wires to create the final hair-thin soft threads.
Professor Gao Huajian, the co-principal investigator on the project, emphasized the significance of the breakthrough, stating that the fabrication of ultra-long semiconductor fibers demonstrates the potential to create flexible components using silicon and germanium, thereby opening up extensive possibilities for the development of various forms of flexible wearable devices.
To showcase the capabilities of the fibers, the team has integrated them into three wearable prototypes: a beanie hat equipped with traffic light sensing capabilities, a ‘smart top’ shirt designed for art galleries and museums to provide information about exhibits, and a smartwatch wristband utilizing the fibers to measure heart rate without the need for a rigid sensor.
The team’s groundbreaking work has been published in the journal Nature under open-access terms, signifying a significant advancement in the field of wearables and sensor technology.
