A Route Toward Smart System Integration: From Fiber Design to Device Construction

Abstract

Fiber is a symbol of human civilization, being ubiquitous but obscure in society over most of history. Fiber has been revived upon the advent of fiber‐based electronic devices in the past two decades. This is due to its desirable lightweight, flexible, and conformable characteristics, which enable it to play a fundamental role in the electronic and information era. Numerous fiber‐based electronic devices have sprung up in energy conversion, energy storage, sensing, actuation, etc. A possibility is thereby conceived that they can be integrated into smart systems compatible with the human body, consisting of biotic fiber‐based organs and tissues, which possess similar but more advanced functions. However, the design of mono‐/multifibers, the construction of fiber‐based devices, and the integration of these smart systems represent great challenges in fundamental understanding and practical implementation. A systematic review of the current state of the art with respect to the design and fabrication of electronic fiber materials, construction of fiber‐based devices, and integration of smart systems is presented. In addition, limitations of current fiber‐based devices and perspectives are explored toward potential and promising smart integration.

Biomimicking Antibacterial Opto‐Electro Sensing Sutures Made of Regenerated Silk Proteins

“…These materials, structures, and systems resemble the intriguing architecture found in nature and also exhibit their corresponding functions. [11][12][13] In this natural context, spider-silk fibers are renowned for their excellent mechanical properties, including high-tensile strength and moderate elasticityboth of which are crucial advantages in surgical suture technology. [14,15] In particular, the heterogeneous hierarchical structure of spider-silk fibers is relatively less focused or reported.…”

Chip on a fiber toward the e-textile computing platform

“…Fiber electronics are of considerable interest for wearable applications and smart textiles, which can facilitate communication and the interaction between humans and their surroundings 1−3 . As a basic element of functional textiles, the one-dimensional (1D) form of the thread-like bers offers high exibility, isotropic deformations, breathability, and lightweight in fabric structure 4,5 . The 1D functional bers can be further processed into two-dimensional (2D) textiles and three-dimensional yarn con gurations through traditional textile engineering techniques, such as twisting, weaving, sewing, knitting, knotting, interlacing, etc 5,6 .…”

“…As a basic element of functional textiles, the one-dimensional (1D) form of the thread-like bers offers high exibility, isotropic deformations, breathability, and lightweight in fabric structure 4,5 . The 1D functional bers can be further processed into two-dimensional (2D) textiles and three-dimensional yarn con gurations through traditional textile engineering techniques, such as twisting, weaving, sewing, knitting, knotting, interlacing, etc 5,6 . Owing to such intrinsic merits, in recent years, ber-based device components that perform optoelectronic functions, such as health/environmental monitoring, displays, sensing, energy harvesting, energy-storing, electromagnetic shielding, and information processing, have been integrated directly into fabrics to demonstrate futuristic clothes 7−14 .…”

Enhanced CW Lasing and Q‐Switched Pulse Generation Enabled by Tm3+‐Doped Glass Ceramic Fibers

“…[ 5–7 ] Fiber laser simultaneously providing high beam quality, good heat dissipation, and favorable reliability is poised to promote the fields of photonics and optoelectronics. [ 8,9 ] Photonic glass is considered as ideal candidate for the construction of all‐fiber laser system because of its prominent plasticity, low transmission loss, and tunable optical properties. [ 10–12 ] To realize efficient fiber laser output, the optical gain materials with high emission efficiency are pressingly needed.…”