Search Results (35)

With the rapid advancement of modern electronic devices and wireless communication systems, electromagnetic pollution has become a prominent issue, prompting the development of high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. Although traditional metal shielding materials exhibit excellent conductivity, there are many limitations such as high weight, poor flexibility, susceptibility to corrosion, and high cost. To overcome these challenges, in this study, we design and fabricate core-spun yarns using polyester filaments as the core and an aluminum-foil-wrapped layer as the conductive outer component, and further weave them into three conductive fabrics with different structural parameters. Through systematic investigation of their surface morphology, air permeability, electrical properties, and EMI shielding performance, DT5W27 demonstrates optimal overall performance: electrical conductivity of 2722.64 S·m⁻¹, shielding effectiveness of 37.29 dB, and electromagnetic wave attenuation rate of 99.99%. Specifically, even after 100 bending, twisting cycles, and exposure to solutions with pH values ranging from 3 to 9, the fabric maintains high shielding performance. The fabrication process is facile and low cost, and these composites have good flexibility, outstanding EMI shielding performance, exceptional mechanical durability, and chemical stability. These advantages make them have broad application potential in protective clothing and lightweight shielding materials. Full article

This paper showcases current developments in the use of carbon nanotube (CNT) and nanoparticle-based materials for electromagnetic radiation shielding. Electromagnetic radiation involves different types of radiation covering a wide spectrum of frequencies. Due to their good electrical conductivity, small diameter, and light weight, individual CNTs are good candidates for shielding radio and microwaves. CNTs can be organized into macroscale forms by dispersing them in polymers or by wrapping CNT strands into fabrics or yarn. Magnetic nanoparticles can also be incorporated into the CNT fabric to provide excellent shielding of electromagnetic waves. However, for shielding higher-frequency X-ray and gamma ray radiation, the situation is reversed. Carbon’s low atomic number means that CNTs alone are less effective than metals. Thus, different nanoparticles such as tungsten are added to the CNT materials to provide improved shielding of photons. The goal is to achieve a desired combination of light weight, flexibility, safety, and multifunctionality for use in shielding spacecraft, satellites, nuclear reactors, and medical garments and to support lunar colonization. Future research should investigate the effect of the size, shape, and configuration of nanoparticles on radiation shielding. Developing large-scale low-cost methods for the continuous manufacturing of lightweight multifunctional nanoparticle-based materials is also needed. Full article

Elastic yarns are the key component of high-performance compression garments. However, it remains a challenge to fabricate anti-fatigue yarns with high mechanical force and long elongation for generating compression garments with prolonged wear. In this paper, we report the development of anti-fatigue double-wrapped yarns with excellent mechanical properties by wrapping high-denier Spandex with nylon filaments in opposite twists. In particular, high-denier (560 D) Spandex as the core was untwisted, which can maximally reduce the interaction between the core and wrapping filaments, enabling high elongation of double-wrapped yarns. In addition, we chose 70 D nylon filaments with a tensile force of 3.87 ± 0.09 N as the wrapping materials to provide sufficient force for double-wrapped yarns. Notably, opposite twists were induced for the inner and outer wrapping filaments to achieve a balanced stable yarn structure. By systematically optimizing manufacturing parameters, including inner wrapping density, outer wrapping density, take-up ratio, and drafting ratio, we obtained double-wrapped yarn with excellent tensile stress (32.59 ± 0.82 MPa) and tensile strain (357.28% ± 9.10%). Notably, the stress decay rate of optimized yarns was only 12.0% ± 2.2%. In addition, the optimized yarn was used as the weft-lining yarn for generating weft-lined fabrics. The elastic recovery rate of the obtained fabric was decreased by only 2.6% after five cyclic stretches, much lower than the control fabric. Our design of anti-fatigue double-wrapped yarns could be widely used for fabricating high-performance compression garments. Full article

Flexible and stretchable electronic yarn containing electronic components (i.e., hybrid electronic yarn) are essential for manufacturing smart textile garments or fabrics. Due to their low stretchability and easy interconnection fracture, previously reported hybrid electronic sensing yarns have poor mechanical durability and washability. In order to address this issue, a stretchable hybrid electronic yarn for body temperature monitoring was designed and prepared using a spandex filament as the core yarn and a thin enameled copper wire connected with a thermal resistor as the wrapping fiber. The temperature sensing performance of different hybrid electronic yarn samples was evaluated using the following three types of interconnection methods: conductive adhesive bonding, melt soldering, and hot pressure bonding. The optimal interconnection method with good sensing performance was determined. Furthermore, in order to improve the mechanical durability of the hybrid electronic yarn made using the optimal interconnection method, the interconnection area was encapsulated with polymers, and the effect of polymer materials and structures on the temperature-sensing properties was evaluated. The results show that traditional wrapping combined with hot pressing interconnection followed by tube encapsulating technology is beneficial for achieving high stretchability and good temperature-sensing performance of hybrid electronic yarn. Full article

Three-component strain sensors based on helical auxetic yarn (HAY) structure were designed. HAYs comprise elastic core yarn, wrapped by the composition of multifilament Nylon 66 and conductive spun yarns with three different electrical resistance. The electromechanical behavior of samples was investigated. The cross-section of samples was studied to investigate the aerial density of conductive fibers at different strain ranges. The results indicated that gauge factors of HAY strain sensors significantly depend on the electrical resistance of the conductive component. Therefore, a new generation of efficient wearable textile-based strain sensors is introduced, based on the adjustable and flexible nature of the auxetic yarns. Full article

A person’s body temperature is an important indicator of their health status. A deviation of that temperature by just 2 °C already has or can lead to serious consequences, such as fever or hypothermia. Hence, the development of a temperature-sensing and heatable yarn is an important step toward enabling and improving the monitoring and regulation of a person’s body temperature. This technology offers benefits to several industries, such as health care and sports. This paper focuses on the characterization and development of a hybrid yarn, which can measure and visualize temperature changes through a thermoresistive and thermochromic effect. Moreover, the yarn is able to serve as a flexible heating element by connecting to a power source. The structure of the yarn is designed in three layers. Each layer and component ensures the functionality and flexibility of the yarn and additional compatibility with further processing steps. A flexible stainless steel core was used as the heat-sensitive and heat-conducting material. The layer of polyester wrapped around the stainless steel yarn improves the wearing comfort and serves as substrate material for the thermochromic coating. The resulting hybrid yarn has a reproducible sensory function and changes its resistance by 0.15 Ω between 20 and 60 °C for a length of 30 cm. In addition, the yarn has a uniform and reproducible heating power, so that temperature steps can be achieved at a defined length by selecting certain voltages. The thermochromic color change is clearly visible between 28 and 29 °C. Due to its textile structure, the hybrid sensory and actuating yarn can easily be incorporated into a woven fabric or into a textile by means of joining technology sewing. Full article

The dynamic regulation of fiber stress distribution in the yarn-forming triangle area is critical for controlling variable composite yarn structures, including siro and sirofil composite yarns. In this study, comparison analyses of the variable geometric structure and stress distribution during the yarn-forming process, which involves step rolls with asymmetrical fiber control, have been carried out using ring-spinning technology. The geometric analyses show that partly staple fibers are continuously controlled while other fibers intermittently lack stress restraint, resulting in cyclically changed helical angles and wrapping density in the yarn-forming triangle area. The yarn structure model displayed that periodically distributed staple fibers occur in siro composite yarn, while sirofil composite yarn shows gradual periodic changes with uniform thickness variations, caused by cyclical changes in the stress distribution between filaments, and the strand altered the yarn-forming zone shapes from symmetrical to offset. Then, a systematic comparison of variable composite yarns with different frequencies (high, medium and low frequency) revealed that low-frequency step roll with wider grooves resulted in an intermittent output of staple fibers with less stress restraint, resulting in more pronounced structural variation in the siro and sirofil composite yarns with a slight yarn quality deterioration. Full article

A significant amount of research has been conducted on applying functional materials as surgical sutures. Therefore, research on how to solve the shortcomings of surgical sutures through available materials has been given increasing attention. In this study, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC)/PVP/zinc acetate nanofibers were coated on absorbable collagen sutures using an electrostatic yarn winding technique. The metal disk of an electrostatic yarn spinning machine gathers nanofibers between two needles with positive and negative charges. By adjusting the positive and negative voltage, the liquid in the spinneret is stretched into fibers. The selected materials are toxicity free and have high biocompatibility. Test results indicate that the nanofiber membrane comprises evenly formed nanofibers despite the presence of zinc acetate. In addition, zinc acetate can effectively kill 99.9% of E. coli and S. aureus. Cell assay results indicate that HPC/PVP/Zn nanofiber membranes are not toxic; moreover, they improve cell adhesion, suggesting that the absorbable collagen surgical suture is profoundly wrapped in a nanofiber membrane that exerts antibacterial efficacy and reduces inflammation, thus providing a suitable environment for cell growth. The employment of electrostatic yarn wrapping technology is proven effective in providing surgical sutures with antibacterial efficacy and a more flexible range of functions. Full article

Thin fiber-shaped pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM) can generate contractile motions upon stimulation, and it is well known for its good compliance, high weight-to-power ratio, resemblance to animal muscle movements, and, most importantly, the capability to be integrated into fabrics and other textile forms for wearable devices. This fiber-shaped device, based on McKibben technology, consists of an elastomeric bladder that is wrapped around by a braided sleeve, which transfers radial expansion into longitudinal contraction due to the change in the sleeve’s braiding angle while being inflated. This paper investigates the effect of material properties on fiber-shaped PAM’s behavior, including the braiding yarn and bladder’s dimensional and mechanical properties. A range of samples with combinations of yarn and bladder parameters were developed and characterized. A robust fabrication process verified through several calibration and control experiments of PAM was applied, which ensured a more accurate characterization of the actuators. The results demonstrate that material properties, such as yarn stiffness, yarn diameter, bladder diameter, and bladder hardness, have significant effects on PAMs’ deformation strains and forces generated. The findings can serve as fundamental guidelines for the future design and development of fiber-shaped pneumatic actuators. Full article

Auxetic textiles are emerging as an enticing option for many advanced applications due to their unique deformation behavior under tensile loading. This study reports the geometrical analysis of three-dimensional (3D) auxetic woven structures based on semi-empirical equations. The 3D woven fabric was developed with a special geometrical arrangement of warp (multi-filament polyester), binding (polyester-wrapped polyurethane), and weft yarns (polyester-wrapped polyurethane) to achieve an auxetic effect. The auxetic geometry, the unit cell resembling a re-entrant hexagon, was modeled at the micro-level in terms of the yarn’s parameters. The geometrical model was used to establish a relationship between the Poisson’s ratio (PR) and the tensile strain when it was stretched along the warp direction. For validation of the model, the experimental results of the developed woven fabrics were correlated with the calculated results from the geometrical analysis. It was found that the calculated results were in good agreement with the experimental results. After experimental validation, the model was used to calculate and discuss critical parameters that affect the auxetic behavior of the structure. Thus, geometrical analysis is believed to be helpful in predicting the auxetic behavior of 3D woven fabrics with different structural parameters. Full article

Stretchable yarn/fiber electronics with conductive features are optimal components for different wearable devices. This paper presents the construction of coil structure-based carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer fibers with adjustable piezoresistivity. The composite unit fiber is prepared by wrapping a conductive carbon CNT sheath onto an elastic spandex core. Owing to the helical coil structure, the resultant CNT/polymer composite fibers are highly stretchable (up to approximately 300%) without a noticeable electrical breakdown. More specifically, based on the difference in the coil index (which is the ratio of the coil diameter to the diameter of the fiber within the coil) according to the polymeric core fiber (spandex or nylon), the composite fiber can be used for two different applications (i.e., as strain sensors or supercapacitors), which are presented in this paper. The coiled CNT/spandex composite fiber sensor responds sensitively to tensile strain. The coiled CNT/nylon composite fiber can be employed as an elastic supercapacitor with excellent capacitance retention at 300% strain. Full article

In recent years, many researchers have aimed to construct robotic soft grippers that can handle fragile or unusually shaped objects without causing damage. This study proposes a smart textile-composite actuator and its application to a soft robotic gripper. An active fiber and an inactive fiber are combined together using knitting techniques to manufacture a textile actuator. The active fiber is a shape memory alloy (SMA) that is wire-wrapped with conventional fibers, and the inactive fiber is a knitting yarn. A knitted textile structure is flexible, with an excellent structure retention ability and high compliance, which is suitable for developing soft grippers. A driving source of the actuator is the SMA wire, which deforms under heating due to the shape memory effect. Through experiments, the course-to-wale ratio, the number of bundling SMA wires, and the driving current value needed to achieve the maximum deformation of the actuator were investigated. Three actuators were stitched together to make up each finger of the gripper, and layer placement research was completed to find the fingers’ suitable bending angle for object grasping. Finally, the gripping performance was evaluated through a test of grasping various object shapes, which demonstrated that the gripper could successfully lift flat/spherical/uniquely shaped objects. Full article

Continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFTPCs) have shown advantages such as high strength, long life, corrosion resistance, and green recyclability. Three-dimensional printing of CFTPCs opened up a new strategy for the fabrication of composites with complicated structures, low cost, and short production cycles. However, a traditional 3D printing process usually causes poor impregnation of the fiber or surface damage of the fiber due to the short impregnation time or high viscosity of the thermoplastic resin. Here, continuous carbon fiber/poly(ether-ether-ketones) (CCF/PEEK) wrapped yarn was fabricated via powder impregnation and using double spinning technology for the 3D printing. The concentration of PEEK powder suspension and wire speed were optimized as 15% and 2.0 m/min. The twist of wrapped yarn was optimized as 1037 T/m. Mechanical testing showed that the 3D-printed composite wire had excellent tensile and bending strength, which was about 1.6~4.2 times larger than those without the powder pre-impregnation process. It is mainly attributed to the improved impregnation of the CF which took place during the powder pre-impregnation process. We believe that our research on wrapped yarn for 3D-printed composites provides an effective strategy for the 3D printing of composites with enhanced mechanical properties. Full article

To explore the skin moisturizing performance of aloe viscose fiber seamless knitted fabric, this experiment takes the different yarn-blending ratios of aloe viscose fiber and viscose fiber, as well as three different tissue structures as factors, establishes a sample scheme according to full factor experimental tests on skin hydration and trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) after the sample fabric had been wrapped around the skin, and uses two-way and one-way ANOVA in SPSS and the Duncan multiple comparison method. The test data were analyzed to study the influence of different materials and the structure of the veil on the moisture retention of the fabric. The results show that the sample scheme with the largest change rate of skin hydration is when the raw material of the veil is aloe viscose/viscose 100/0 yarn, and the structure is 1 + 3 simulated rib. The sample scheme with the minimum change rate of TEWL is when aloe viscose/viscose 75/25 yarn is used as the raw material of the veil, and the structure is 1 + 1 simulated rib, which provides a theoretical basis for the research and development of moisturizing knitted fabric. Full article

Complex yarns with helical wrapping structure show auxetic effect under axial tension and a wide perspective application. Experimental results suggested that initial helical angle was one of the most important structural parameters. However, the experimental method was limited and could not effectively explain the deformation behavior or auxetic mechanism. A finite element model of the helical auxetic yarn was built and used to analyze the interactive relationship between the two components and the stress distribution mode. The effectiveness and accuracy of the model was first verified by comparing with the experimental results. The simulation results showed that the complex yarn with initial helical angle of 14.5° presented the maximum negative Poisson’s ratio of −2.5 under 5.0% axial strain. Both the contact property between the two components and the radial deformability of the elastic core filament were key factors of the auxetic property. When the contact surfaces were completely smooth and the friction coefficient μ was set to 0, the complex yarn presented non-auxetic behavior. When the Poisson’s ratio of the core filament was 0, the complex yarn showed greater auxetic effect. During the axial stretching, the tensile stress was mainly distributed in the wrap filament, which led to structural deformation and auxetic behavior. A pair of auxetic yarns showed pore effect and high expansion under axial strain. Thus, it may be necessary to consider new weaving structures and preparation methods to obtain the desired auxetic property and application of auxetic yarns. Full article