Could clothing monitor a person’s health in real time, because the clothing itself is a self-powered sensor? A new material created through electrospinning, which is a process that draws out fibers using electricity, brings this possibility one step closer.
Researchers have developed a new fabrication approach that optimizes the internal structure of electrospun fibers to improve their performance in electronic applications.
This novel electrospinning approach could open the door to more efficient, flexible, and scalable electronics for wearable sensors, health monitoring, and sustainable energy harvesting.
The material is based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene), or PVDF-TrFE, a lightweight, flexible polymer known for its ability to generate an electric charge when pressed or bent. That quality, called piezoelectricity, makes it a strong candidate for use in electronics that convert motion into energy or signals.
Electrospinning uses electric force to stretch a polymer solution into extremely thin fibers. As the fibers dry, the way the polymer chains pack together determines their performance. The researchers hypothesized that altering the concentration and molecular weight of the polymer solution could lead to more organized molecular structures.
One surprising discovery, Mather said, came from experimenting with unusually high concentrations of polymer in the solution. The implications are significant, according to Mather. By improving the internal structure of the fibers without requiring high-voltage treatment or complex post-processing, the team created a material that could be both low-cost and scalable.
The material’s cloth-like texture could make it more comfortable than traditional plastic-based sensors — it could even be directly incorporated into clothing. It could even be incorporated sensors into bandages.”
Looking ahead, the researchers said they see opportunities to further improve the material through post-processing. Right now, the electrospun sheets are about 70 percent% porous. Applying heat and pressure could densify them and increase sensitivity and output.
