Electrospinner: Scale-up production of nanofunctionalized fibers for smart textiles

Background

Functional fibers retain nanoscale properties or nanomaterial properties and represent a major advance in nanotechnology. Notably, the combination of scalable manufacturing and cutting-edge nanotechnology has further expanded their applications in numerous disciplines. The manufacture of functional fibers with nanoscale properties is essential for the development of smart textiles, wearable electronics, and more. Professor Wei Lei of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, published a review discussing the design principles, manufacturing techniques, and key advances in the large-scale production of nano-functional fibers. The relevant research results were published in the journal ACS Nano under the title "Scalable Production of Functional Fibers with Nanoscale Features for Smart Textiles".

The main point of this paper

1. This paper reviews the design principles, manufacturing techniques, and key advances in large-scale production of such fibers.

2. In addition, it summarizes the current applications and progress of scalable fiber technology and provides guidance for the future development of multifunctional smart textiles by emphasizing the upcoming demand for evolving nanotechnology.

The challenges and directions that require continued efforts are discussed, including material selection, device design, large-scale manufacturing, and multifunctional integration.

What are the key advances in functional fiber manufacturing?

1.Integration of nanotechnology: The introduction of nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene, significantly enhances the mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal properties of functional fibers, making them suitable for demanding applications in multiple fields such as aerospace and automotive.

2.Large-scale manufacturing technologies: Various manufacturing processes are examined, including spinning (melt spinning, wet spinning, dry spinning, and electrospinning), surface coating, extrusion, chemical vapor deposition, and thermal stretching. These technologies have achieved breakthroughs in applications such as energy harvesting, sensing, and the development of smart textiles.

3. Optimization design principles: The importance of optimizing material properties and structural design to enhance functionality and durability is emphasized. This includes the selection of appropriate functional nanomaterials and device architectures to ensure high-performance, multifunctional, and scalable smart textiles.

4. Scalability and consistency challenges: Despite the progress made, the document emphasizes the challenges of maintaining consistency and uniformity in large batches during production. Optimizing large-scale preparation methods to achieve consistent nanoscale properties is critical for industrial applications.

5.Sustainability and environmental considerations: The document also mentions the need to adopt cleaner production methods and renewable resources to reduce environmental impact, emphasizing the importance of sustainability in the large-scale production of functional fibers.

How do functional fibers promote the development of smart textiles and wearable electronics?

1. Enhanced functionality: Functional fibers are designed to provide specific functions such as conductivity, responsiveness to environmental stimuli, and improved mechanical properties. This enables them to perform a variety of tasks such as sensing, energy harvesting, and communication, which are necessary for smart textiles.

2. Integration of electronic components: These fibers can be embedded with electronic components, enabling the creation of electronic textiles. For example, conductive fibers can be woven into fabrics to form circuits that can monitor physiological signals, track movement, or interact with other devices, thereby enhancing the interactivity and intelligence of textiles.

3. Comfort and flexibility: Functional fibers maintain the flexibility and comfort of traditional textiles while incorporating advanced functions. This is particularly important for wearable electronic devices, as users need materials that are both functional and comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

4. Real-time data collection: By integrating sensing capabilities, functional fibers can continuously collect data about the wearer's health, activity level, and environmental conditions. This real-time monitoring can provide valuable feedback for health tracking, fitness applications, and environmental awareness.

5. Energy management: Functional fibers can be combined with energy harvesting technologies such as solar cells or piezoelectric devices, allowing smart textiles to generate and store energy. This capability is critical for powering embedded electronics without compromising the comfort or usability of the fabric.

Electrospinning Nanofibers Article Source:

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.4c10111