Smart Textile to Sense Light, Pressure, Smell, and Even Taste—Successfully Developed Next-Gen Fibers That Will Change the Future of Wearable Technologies

- Joint research team from DGIST, KAIST, Ajou University, and Soongsil University successfully developed next-gen fibers with a multifunctional and three-dimensional structure - The results of the study were published as a cover article in Advanced Fiber Materials, one of the most prestigious international journals in new materials

□ Professor Bonghoon Kim at the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering of Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST; President Kunwoo Lee) successfully developed a multifunctional sensor based on semiconductor fibers that emulates the five human senses. This study was conducted in collaboration with Professor Sangwook Kim at KAIST, Professor Janghwan Kim at Ajou University, and Professor Jiwoong Kim at Soongsil University. The technology developed in the study is expected to be utilized in a variety of state-of-the-art technology fields, such as wearables, Internet of Things (IoT), electronic devices, and soft robotics.

 

□ The semiconductor fiber sensor developed by the research team is much more sophisticated and functional than traditional one-dimensional fiber sensors. Notably, the new sensor sensitively responds to changes in the external environment owing to its unique structure within the fibers that allows it to simultaneously measure and monitor light, chemicals, pressure, and environmental information, such as pH (acidity), ammonia (NH3), and mechanical strain levels. The research team proposed these technologies as a new sensor platform that can detect and process multiple signals at once in the same manner as the five human senses.

 

□ This study fabricated fibers that can freely adjust in three-dimensional shape through a special fabrication process based on molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)[1]. In particular, the fibers’ three-dimensional spiral structure, which was naturally formed while the fibers were aligned into a ribbon shape, allows the precise control of the curve of the fibers. The fabricated fibers showed good performance owing to the outstanding electro-mechanical properties of MoS2 and the aligned structure within the fibers. The fibers also demonstrated the potential for sensing a variety of environmental information.

 

□ Professor Kim said, “This study has greatly expanded the range of applications for two-dimensional nanomaterials, such as molybdenum disulfide. We will continue to use various materials and research the technologies that can accurately measure signals required for wearable technologies.”

 

□ Meanwhile, this study was funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea’s Global Bioconvergence Interfacing Engineering Research Center (ERC). The results of the study (first authors: PhD student Junhyun Park at DGIST, PhD student Sooeon Lee at DGIST, Professor Janghwan Kim at Ajou University, and researcher Hyokyung Kim at Soongsil University) were published and featured as a cover article in Advanced Fiber Materials, one of the most prestigious international journals in textiles and new materials (impact factor: 17.2, JCR top 1.7%).

- Corresponding Author E-mail Address : [email protected]


[1] Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a compound consisting of molybdenum and sulfur as among the two-dimensional nanomaterials that possess extraordinary electrical, optical, and mechanical properties. Molybdenum disulfide has a variety of applications, including semiconductors, lubricants, and energy storage.