An overview of materials, processing, and applications for wearable electronics

Wearable electronics are gaining widespread attention because of the potential applications of them in systems of wearable human care and health monitoring. These new devices are probably a collection of different applications like batteries, sensors, displays, and so on. In these respects, conductive fibers, inks, and fabrics were examined. On the field, three materials categories including carbon, metal, and polymer-based materials were investigated. Materials of carbon have advantages like good electrical conductivity, structural and inherent flexibility, high thermal and chemical stability, light weight, ease of chemical operation, and potential production of mass, enabling them to be a good candidate for wearable and flexible electronics. Conducting polymers have a number of drawbacks in their natural state; however, by combining them with other materials, these drawbacks can be solved. Conducting polymer composites have a wide range of applications in optoelectronic, electronic, and electrical sectors due to their synergetic effects. Liquid metal was bestowed with new-emerging characteristics and multifunctional applications. Due to the high surface tension and limited adherence on many surfaces, the manufacturing approach of patterning liquid metals on flexible substrates has received a lot of attention up to now. The current state of wearable materials as actuators and fabrication processes are discussed in this review paper.

Keywords:

Wearable electronics , Conductive fibers , Sensors , Conductive fabrics , Fabrication methods