Method for forming a sensing textile and sensing textile device

Abstract

A method for forming a sensing textile is disclosed. The method includes: providing a conductive polymer, a dopant, and a solvent; mixing the conductive polymer, the dopant, and the solvent to form a mixture having a predetermined ratio of the conductive polymer and the dopant and a predetermined concentration of the conductive polymer; contacting a fabric with the mixture to coat the fabric with the conductive polymer and the dopant; and drying the coated fabric. A sensing textile device is also disclosed, comprising: such a sensing textile, a conductive backing layer, and a spacer layer disposed between the sensing textile and the conductive backing layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a sensory textile and a sensory textile device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a sensory textile device fabricated as a wearable smart textile. Background Art

[0002] There is a growing demand for smart clothing, smart textiles or fabrics - fabrics that incorporate electrical or electronic components that add value to the wearer.

[0003] Some smart textiles allow for color change and light emission. There is also a need to incorporate more useful functions into such textiles.

[0004] Useful functionality can involve providing sensors and motion detection systems. However, many such systems require batteries that are uncomfortable to wear, or fail to provide high-resolution motion measurements.

[0005] It would therefore be desirable to provide a sensing textile having enhanced or different functionality than prior art sensing textiles, or at least to provide a useful alternative. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a sensing textile, comprising:

[0007] providing conductive polymers, dopants and solvents;

[0008] mixing the conductive polymer, a dopant, and a solvent to form a mixture having a predetermined ratio of the conductive polymer and the dopant and a predetermined concentration of the conductive polymer;

[0009] contacting a fabric with the mixture to coat the fabric with the conductive polymer and the dopant; and

[0010] The coated fabric is dried.

[0011] Providing a conductive polymer may include providing a conductive organic polymer. The conductive polymer may be provided as a dispersion in a solution. Providing a conductive polymer may include providing poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS).

[0012] Providing a dopant may include providing a dopant to increase the conductivity of the conductive polymer after drying on the coated fabric. Providing a dopant may include providing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

[0013] Mixing the conductive polymer, the dopant, and the solvent to form a mixture of the conductive polymer and the dopant having a predetermined ratio may include doping the conductive polymer with 5 wt % of the dopant.

[0014] Providing the solvent may include providing water. Providing the water may include providing deionized water.

[0015] Mixing the conductive polymer, the dopant, and the solvent to form a mixture having a predetermined concentration of the conductive polymer may include mixing the conductive polymer, the dopant, and the solvent to form a mixture having 12.5% ​​of the conductive polymer.

[0016] Drying the coated fabric may include drying the coated fabric at 80° C. for at least 30 minutes.

[0017] The present invention also discloses a sensor textile device, comprising:

[0018] A sensing textile comprising a fabric coated with a conductive polymer and a dopant in a predetermined ratio; and

[0019] Base,

[0020] The sensing textile is attached to the substrate at at least two spaced-apart positions and has a static state and a power generation state, in which the sensing textile and the substrate are spaced apart between the at least two spaced-apart positions and in which the sensing textile and the substrate are in contact between the at least two spaced-apart positions.

[0021] The sensing textile may form an arch between the at least two spaced apart positions, and stretching the substrate causes the sensing textile to enter the power generating state. The sensing textile may form two or more arches, the two or more arches being aligned with the substrate at respective positions in the at least two spaced apart positions. Thus, the sensing textile being spaced apart from the substrate between the at least two spaced apart positions includes the sensing textile being spaced apart from the substrate over the length of the sensing textile between the two spaced apart positions, and in embodiments, such as those incorporating two or more arches, the sensing textile being spaced apart from the substrate at different portions of its length between the at least two spaced apart positions. In alternative embodiments, the arches of a continuous sheet of sensing textile may be considered to be spaced apart from the substrate, wherein two of the at least two spaced apart positions are located between the arch and an adjacent arch and / or between the arch and an end of the continuous sheet.

[0022] The sensing textile may include at least two sensing textile portions attached to the substrate in a non-contact arrangement.

[0023] The sensing textile device may be configured to be worn on a finger, the spaced apart locations being on opposite sides of a joint of the finger. If two or more arches are provided, the pair of locations of one of the two or more arches may be on opposite sides of a joint of the finger, and the pair of locations of another of the two or more arches may be on opposite sides of a different joint of the finger.

[0024] Each of the two or more arches may be a different size than at least another of the two or more arches.

[0025] The sensing textile device may comprise a single strip of the sensing textile, and the two or more arches may form a series of arches along the strip. The series of arches may gradually increase in size.

[0026] The sensing textile in the sensing textile device may be formed by the above method.

[0027] The present invention also discloses a sensor textile device, comprising:

[0028] A sensing textile formed according to the above method;

[0029] a conductive backing layer; and

[0030] A spacer layer is disposed between the sensing textile and the conductive backing layer.

[0031] The spacer layer is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0032] The conductive backing layer is aluminum.

[0033] The sensing textile may be configured to be located at a first position on a human body, and the spacer layer and the conductive backing layer may be configured to be located at a second position on the human body, the second position passing through the first position during movement of the human body, thereby activating the sensing textile device.

[0034] In addition, a garment comprising a sensing textile device as described above is described herein. The garment is a sock for sensing a user's gait. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Some embodiments of the sensing textile and method of forming the sensing textile will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method for forming a sensing textile;

[0037] Figure 2 include Figure 2 a to Figure 2 c, shows:

[0038] Figure 2 a-Smart textiles in multiple configurations for application to multiple sites on the human body - e.g. poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS);

[0039] Figure 2 b- Figure 2 an image of a smart textile and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) magnified view of a portion of the image; and

[0040] Figure 2 c-Use Figure 2 a The operating mechanism of the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) formed by smart textiles;

[0041] Figure 3 include Figure 3 a to Figure 3 c, shows:

[0042] Figure 3 a- Schematic diagram of a smart textile formed according to the present teachings;

[0043] Figure 3 b- Open circuit output voltage of smart textiles with various doping concentrations of dopants; and

[0044] Figure 3 c-Short-circuit output current of smart textiles with various doping concentrations of dopants;

[0045] Figure 4 include Figure 4 a to Figure 4 f, shows:

[0046] Figure 4 a-voltage output of repeated clapping or hand tapping over time;

[0047] Figure 4 b- Figure 4 a The relationship between the output power and resistance of repeated clapping or hand tapping;

[0048] Figure 4 c-voltage output of repeated stepping over time;

[0049] Figure 4 d- Figure 4 c The relationship between the output power and resistance of repeated steps;

[0050] Figure 4 e- Figure 4 a charging curves of various capacitors under repeated clapping or hand tapping; and

[0051] Figure 4 f- Figure 4 c. Charging curves of various capacitors under repeated stepping;

[0052] Figure 5 include Figure 5 a to Figure 5 e, shows:

[0053] Figure 5 a-output ampere of single arch strain sensor at different heights;

[0054] Figure 5 b- Schematic diagram of the multi-arch strain sensor under gradual extension;

[0055] Figure 5 c-Image of the multi-arch strain sensor;

[0056] Figure 5 d- Figure 5 c output voltage of the multi-arch strain sensor; and

[0057] Figure 5 e- Figure 5 c Real-time output of multi-arch strain sensor under various strains;

[0058] Figure 6 include Figure 6 a to Figure 6 b, shows:

[0059] Figure 6 a-image of the coated textile strip; and

[0060] Figure 6 b-Change of resistance under different strain amounts;

[0061] Figure 7 include Figure 7 a to Figure 7 l, shows:

[0062] Figure 7 a-Image of the double arch sensor mounted on the hand for measuring finger movements;

[0063] Figure 7 b- Figure 7 Image of the sensor and hand of a, where the hand is bent to activate the first arch of the double arch sensor;

[0064] Figure 7 c- Figure 7 Image of the sensor and hand in a, where the hand is flexed to activate the second arch of the double arch sensor;

[0065] Figure 7 d- Figure 7an image of a sensor and hand, wherein the hand is bent to activate the first and second arches of the double arch sensor;

[0066] Figure 7 e-A design comprising two independent sensors located at respective finger joints (e.g., knuckles);

[0067] Figure 7 i- Design consisting of dual arch sensors, each located at the respective finger joint;

[0068] Figure 7 f and Figure 7 j-respectively Figure 7 The first of the two sensors of the e device and Figure 7 i Voltage output of the first of the two arches of the device at different bending angles of the first finger joint;

[0069] Figure 7 g and Figure 7 k- Figure 7 The second of the two sensors of the e device and Figure 7 i. a voltage output of a second of the two arches of the device at different bending angles of a second finger joint; and

[0070] Figure 7 h and Figure 7 l-respectively Figure 7 The first and second of the two sensors of the e device and Figure 7 i. voltage output of the first and second of the two arches of the device at different bending angles of the first and / or second finger joints;

[0071] Figure 8 include Figure 8 a to Figure 8 f, shows:

[0072] Figure 8 a-Image of two double-arch sensors mounted on a human hand;

[0073] Figure 8 b—shows the hands forming the letters A, B, C, and D in American Sign Language; and

[0074] Figure 8 c to Figure 8 f-respectively Figure 8 The four arches of the two double-arch sensors of a have voltage outputs for the American Sign Language letters A, B, C, and D;

[0075] Fig. 9 include Fig. 9 a to Fig. 9 c, shows:

[0076] Fig. 9a-Gesture image completed with four sensors, one sensor mounted on each finger;

[0077] Fig. 9 b-For Fig. 9 a The open circuit output voltage from the sensor for each gesture shown in; and

[0078] Fig. 9 c-Use Fig. 9 b) open circuit voltage controlled manipulator;

[0079] Fig.10 include Fig.10 a to Fig.10 e, shows:

[0080] Fig.10 a to Fig.10 d- sensor images of clothing attached to different parts of the human body; and

[0081] Fig.10 e-Open circuit voltage readings of sensors for various activities;

[0082] Fig.11 include Fig.11 a to Fig.11 b, shows:

[0083] Fig.11 a-Schematic diagram of the test setup of the polyethyleneimine (PEI) coated carbon dioxide (CO2) sensing textile; and

[0084] Fig.11 b- Fig.11 a The charge response of the sensing textile to different CO2 concentrations;

[0085] Fig.12 include Fig.12 a to Fig.12 c, shows:

[0086] Fig.12 a-PEDOT: Images of PSS-coated socks (background) and original uncoated socks (foreground);

[0087] Fig.12 b-Embed Fig.12 a Image of a piezoelectric (PZT) sensor array on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate before and after the sock; and

[0088] Fig.12 c-PZT sensor unit;

[0089] Fig.13 include Fig.13 a to Fig.13 d, shows:

[0090] Fig.13 a and 13b - output voltage and current of PEDOT:PSS coated sock and non-coated sock, respectively; and

[0091] Fig.13 c and 13d - power curves of the smart socks in walking and jumping conditions with and without shoes, respectively;

[0092] Fig.14 include Fig.14 a to Fig.14 c, shows:

[0093] Fig.14 a-Gait monitoring using multiple electrodes targeting toe and heel contact;

[0094] Fig.14 b- Calibration of the output voltage and force of the piezoelectric force sensor; and

[0095] Fig.14 c- output signals from the forefoot and heel during walking and comparison with theoretical foot pressure maps; and

[0096] Fig.15 The open circuit output voltage of the PZT sensor and the triboelectric sensor in the sock under increased sweating is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0097] Presented herein is a smart textile for diverse wearable applications. The embodiments will generally be described with reference to PEDOT:PSS coated smart textiles for applications for energy harvesting, physiological and chemical sensing and control purposes. The smart textile is fabricated using a simple and low-cost method. The smart textile has triboelectric properties, so it undergoes contact electrification. The triboelectric properties of the textile are optimized or improved as described herein, and its energy harvesting properties are investigated.

[0098] The smart textile developed according to the present teachings successfully achieved a maximum output power of 3.2 mW while stepping (eg, walking) under a load of 10 MΩ.

[0099] The sensing textile device disclosed herein can include a single-arch strain sensor or multiple-arch strain sensors of different heights using the smart textile of the present teachings, with a wide sensing range of 10% to 160%. In addition, a strain sensor based on resistance change is also characterized.

[0100] refer to Figures 7 to 9 By using an arch strain sensor as disclosed herein placed on a person's finger, finger motions can be monitored and distinguished. This functionality can be used in healthcare applications such as patient monitoring and robotic control.

[0101] In some embodiments, four self-powered sensors based on smart textiles are fabricated and attached to different parts of the human body for activity monitoring. Together, the sensors can detect standing up, walking, running, arm bending, sudden falls, and sitting down. Additional sensors will be able to identify additional movements, or be able to monitor the extent of those movements with higher resolution—for example, more subtle differences between the angles of the arm during bending.

[0102] In addition, the smart textiles disclosed in this article can also be used for CO2 sensing together with PEI coating, and wearable CO2 sensors based on smart textiles can be manufactured.

[0103] For real cloth applications - such as in the manufacture of smart clothing, wearable smart sensing devices, etc. - smart socks are made to enable energy harvesting from human motions such as walking and jumping (e.g., in triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs)). The sensing textiles and sensing textile devices disclosed herein can be incorporated into other garments such as shirts, pants, shoes, and other places.

[0104] With the help of multiple electrodes, a variety of human motion states and gaits can be detected. For more quantitative sensing, thin piezoelectric (PZT) sensors can also be embedded in socks to perform force analysis on the feet. Then, by using the PZT sensor as a reference part, the smart socks are able to monitor or infer a person's perspiration level. The PZT sensor output can be used as a baseline to infer the functional differences of triboelectric sensors in the same garment, or placed near or on the PZT sensor, thereby inferring the extent to which the triboelectric sensor is affected by sweat.

[0105] Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has been found to be a successful conductive polymer for practical applications, such as in clothing and wearable smart devices, due to its good film-forming ability, high conductivity, intrinsically high work function, and good physical and chemical stability in air.

[0106] Although PEDOT:PSS is a flexible polymer, it is intrinsically non-stretchable. With the help of chemical enhancers that change the morphology and act as conductivity-enhancing dopants, PEDOT:PSS can be stretched up to 100% with a slight decrease in conductivity.

[0107] By combining with a stretchable textile substrate, the PEDOT:PSS textile composite film was also able to stretch up to 80% while maintaining its electrical conductivity.

[0108] According to the present disclosure, a simple and low-cost method of manufacturing smart textiles (interchangeably referred to as sensing textiles) is disclosed. Smart textiles can be used for energy harvesting and sensing.

[0109] The fabric used as the substrate for the sensing textile can be, for example, 100% cotton textile, due to its advantages of being soft, lightweight, tough, breathable and readily available in the market. Smart textiles can be easily manufactured by coating cotton textiles with PEDOT:PSS solution (e.g. Figure 2 b), Figure 2 Shown are (a) the application of PEDOT:PSS-coated smart textiles, (b) SEM image of the coated textile, and (c) the working mechanism of the triboelectric nanogenerator for smart textiles.

[0110] Method 100 for forming a sensing textile Figure 1 The flowchart is described in Figure 2 b. The method 100 for forming a sensor textile generally comprises the following steps:

[0111] Step 102: providing a conductive polymer, a dopant and a solvent;

[0112] Step 104: mixing the conductive polymer, dopant and solvent;

[0113] Step 106: contacting the fabric with the mixture formed in step 104; and

[0114] Step 108: Drying the coated fabric.

[0115] to form a mixture having a predetermined ratio of the conductive polymer and the dopant and a predetermined concentration of the conductive polymer;

[0116] contacting a fabric with the mixture to coat the fabric with the conductive polymer and the dopant; and

[0117] The coated fabric is dried.

[0118] Step 102 is self-explanatory, and example compounds for the polymer, dopant, and solvent are discussed below.

[0119] Step 104 involves forming a mixture. To achieve electromechanical properties of the sensing textile, particularly triboelectric properties in some embodiments, the dopant and the conductive polymer are mixed in a predetermined ratio and at a predetermined concentration of the conductive polymer.

[0120] Step 106 involves coating the fabric with the conductive polymer and the dopant by contacting the fabric with the mixture formed in step 104 .

[0121] Step 108 may involve drying at a specific temperature or under specific conditions to produce the sensing textile described herein. Alternatively, it may involve air drying. This step will be discussed in detail below.

[0122] The conductive polymer may be provided as a dispersion in a solution in step 102. Thus, the ratio may be the ratio of the dopant to the conductive polymer solution, and the concentration may be the concentration of the conductive polymer solution. Furthermore, the conductive polymer may be a conductive organic polymer.

[0123] Prior to the coating process, and before, after, or while the conductive polymer solution is mixed with the solvent, the purchased conductive polymer solution (e.g., a PEDOT:PSS solution or other solution that is stable in air) may be doped with a dopant, per step 104. The dopant may increase the conductivity of the conductive polymer solution (i.e., the conductive polymer from the solution), once dried on the coated fabric, per step 108.

[0124] Mixing the dopant with the conductive polymer solution according to step 104 may include mixing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with the conductive polymer solution. The mixture may be a 5 wt % solution of the dopant (e.g., (DMSO)) to improve its conductivity. The doped PEDOT:PSS solution or the doped conductive polymer may then be diluted by different ratios of solvent to determine an optimal dilution (e.g., 12.5% ​​conductive polymer). After dilution, a fabric (e.g., a pure cotton textile) is contacted with the mixture according to step 106 - by immersing it in the mixture or coating solution for a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes) - for complete absorption. The solvent may be, for example, water (e.g., deionized (DI) water).

[0125] The wet or coated textile may then be dried, for example by placing the coated textile in an oven and baking for at least 30 minutes at 80° C. or a temperature at which the dopant is not removed, until completely dry, according to step 108. It should be understood that a variety of drying conditions may be suitable for different types of solvents, conductive polymers, or dopants, and the drying step 108 may be adjusted accordingly without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0126] Therefore, refer to Figure 2 , a sensing textile device 200 can be produced, which includes a fabric coated with a conductive polymer and a dopant 202. The sensing textile device 200 also includes a substrate, which can be a silicone rubber as shown in the figure numeral 204a, or a PTFE with an aluminum backing layer as shown in the figure numeral 204b. In this sense, the sensing textile includes a conductive backing layer, and a spacer layer arranged between the sensing textile and the conductive backing layer. The spacer layer can be a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer. The conductive backing layer can be an aluminum backing layer.

[0127] The sensing textile is attached to the substrate at at least two spaced apart locations 206. Thus, the difference in length of the substrate and the textile between the spaced apart locations will cause one of the substrate and the textile to bulge or form a loop or arch, one of which is identified by numeral 208. The textile 200 has a rest state in which the sensing textile is spaced apart from the substrate between the at least two spaced apart locations. The textile also has a power generating (i.e., operating) state in which the sensing textile is in contact with the substrate between the at least two spaced apart locations. Stretching the substrate causes the sensing textile to enter a power generating state when the sensing textile forms an arch between the at least two spaced apart locations.

[0128] In use, the device 200 begins in a "resting" state, wherein the sensing textile 202 is spaced apart from the substrate 204 (along its length or at different locations along its length), as indicated by numeral 210. As indicated by numeral 212, the sensing textile 202 is pressed against the substrate 204, which may involve stretching the substrate 204, causing the textile 202 and the substrate 204 to approach and contact (per numeral 214). This contact causes an electric charge to be generated. Upon releasing the sensing textile 202, for example by releasing the substrate 204, the electric charge flows from the textile 202 to the substrate 204, as indicated by numeral 216.

[0129] The resulting charge can be used in energy harvesting applications to power sensors to facilitate information exchange in Internet of Things (IoT) applications, in healthcare monitoring, again using sensing systems powered by harvested energy, or in robotic control to detect, for example, the degree of movement of a robotic arm or the rotation of a joint.

[0130] Figure 3 is a sensor textile 202 formed according to method 100 in a smart textile device, the smart textile device also including a sensor textile 202 formed according to method 100 in a smart textile device Figure 3 204a) is a substrate spaced apart from the sensing textile 202 in the "resting" state shown in FIG. 204a (i.e., the substrate is not stretched such that the sensing textile 202 is not brought toward or against the substrate 204). In this embodiment, the substrate includes a polymer layer 204b(i), currently PTFE, and an Al backing layer 204b(ii).

[0131] Figure 3 b and Figure 3 c shows the electrical properties of dilute solutions with 6 different doped PEDOT:PSS concentrations: (1) 100% + double coating, (2) 100%, (3) 25%, (4) 12.5%, (5) 6%, and (6) 3%. The open circuit voltage (VOC) is characterized as Figure 3 b, and the short-circuit current (ISC) is characterized as Figure 3c. In this case, the 12.5 wt% PEDOT:PSS solution showed the best performance among the six tested concentrations. Relatedly, Figure 3 Generally shown are the characterizations of PEDOT:PSS coated smart textiles (i.e., functionalized fabrics) at 6 different doped PEDOT:PSS concentrations: (1) 100% + double coating, (2) 100%, (3) 25%, (4) 12.5%, (5) 6%, and (6) 3%, where (a) schematic diagram of the smart textile, (b) output voltage, and (c) output current.

[0132] Although the sensing textile may include a single arch, Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Fig.10 In the case shown, the sensing textile forms two or more arches 208 that are attached to the substrate 204 between respective pairs of locations 206 in the at least two spaced-apart locations—the two or more locations may also include locations between adjacent areas (i.e., arches) where the sensing textile is spaced apart from the substrate, e.g. Figure 5 Position 206a is shown. In some embodiments, the sensing textile includes two or at least two sensing textile portions attached to a substrate in a non-contact arrangement - see e.g. Figure 7 a. Some embodiments may be configured to be worn on a finger, with spaced locations on opposite sides of the finger joint. This enables identification of flexion or bending of a finger joint and the degree of flexion or bending. When there are two or more arches on a single finger, flexion or bending of multiple finger joints may be measured.

[0133] Energy harvesting using smart textiles

[0134] As mentioned above, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) based on smart textiles such as Figure 2 a. The PEDOT:PSS functionalized textile acts as both a triboelectric positive layer and an electrode. The polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film is used to generate negative charges. Therefore, current can flow between the textile and the PTFE film.

[0135] The textile can be attached to multiple locations on the human body (e.g., on the palm of a person's hand), and the PTFE film can be fixed to a table with the textile and film having the same dimensions, e.g., 4 cm x 4 cm. The frequency of clapping or hand tapping at 2 Hz or 3 Hz can then be measured. For illustration purposes, Figure 4 The output voltage collected from this tapping action with a 100 MΩ detector is depicted in a. Relatedly, Figure 4 Shows Figure 4 (a) Tap with your hands, Figure 4(c) the maximum output voltage of the footstep, and Figure 4 (b) Hand tapping and Figure 4 (d) Output power of foot stepping under different load resistances. Figure 4 It also shows Figure 4 (e) Hand tapping and Figure 4 (f) Charging curve of foot stepping.

[0136] Figure 4 The power curves of this textile-based TENG under different loads for the hand tapping action are depicted in b. As shown in the figure, an average peak-to-peak voltage of 460V can be generated by hand tapping, and the peak output power is measured to be 2.67mW at a load resistance of 9MΩ. This gives a power of 166uW / m 3 The power density of the body can therefore be stored for later use. Figure 4 The charging curves of commercial capacitors with varying capacitances based on textile-based TENG are shown in Figure 2. The charging curves of capacitors with capacitances of 1 μF, 4.7 μF, and 10 μF are shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 e (hand tap) and Figure 4 f (foot tapping). For a 1μF capacitor, the charging voltage can reach 19V in about 60 seconds. A capacitor with a capacitance of 10μF can be charged to 3V in about 60 seconds. The power generation performance of foot tapping is enhanced when compared with hand tapping.

[0137] Strain sensors for finger bending sensing and robotic control

[0138] Multi-arch strain sensor with variable height

[0139] Where two or more arches are provided, each of the two or more arches may be of a different size (e.g., height) than at least one other of the two or more arches. In some embodiments, the arches may be on different portions or strips of the textile. In other embodiments, there may be a single strip of sensing textile along which two or more arches form a series of arches.

[0140] In addition, the highly variable design of the multi-arch structure can provide a wider sensing range from small strain to large strain. Figure 5 In a, the arch heights are 1mm, 3mm, 6mm, 9mm and 12mm respectively. Therefore, the size of the series of arches gradually increases. The real-time output of the multi-arch strain sensor at 30% strain, 100% strain and 160% strain is shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 e. Relatedly, Figure 5 The single-arch based strain sensor with different arch heights under different strain conditions is shown ( Figure 5(a)). The higher the arch, the greater the ability to cope with elongation or strain, and the greater the maximum triboelectric charge that can be obtained. Figure 5 (b) is a schematic diagram of a multi-arch strain sensor under extension. It shows the gradual flattening of the arches under successively greater extension of the substrate 218. The varying arch height can detect the amount of extension or strain - different arch heights result in different tribocharge values, and therefore a specific tribocharge indicates a specific extension, so measuring the tribocharge can specifically determine the extension or strain. Figure 5 (c) is a photograph of the as-prepared sensor 220 having five arches of gradually increasing height. Figure 5 (d) Yes Figure 5 (c) The simulated output voltage of the five-arch sensor, Figure 5 (e) is the real-time output of the multi-arch strain sensor 220 under 30% strain, 100% strain and 160% strain. Figure 5 e shows a clear and direct correlation between elongation and output voltage.

[0141] Resistance change characterization is a common sensing mechanism for most strain sensors, and textiles coated with conductive nanoparticles are also a potential configuration for strain sensing. PEDOT:PSS-coated textile strips with a width of 1 cm and a length of 2 cm were also tested. Figure 6 The resistance of the strip under different strains is shown in . Relatedly, Figure 6 1 shows (a) a test setup of a resistive strain sensor, and (b) the relationship between resistance and strain. The strain sensor is a multi-arch strain sensor 600. The multi-arch strain sensor 600 is based on Figure 5 PEDOT:PSS functionalized textile 602 shown. Ecoflex is a highly stretchable negative triboelectric polymer that can be used in the bottom layer 604 to provide negative charge - other triboelectric negative materials can be appropriately substituted for PTFE or Eco-flex materials. The triboelectric strain sensor 600 operates in a single electrode mode. When no strain is applied to the sensor 600, the PEDOT:PSS functionalized textile 602 will remain separated from the bottom Eco-flex film 604. When the arch is stretched, the textile 602 will be straightened and contact the Eco-flex film 604, as shown (the device 600 is described as being in a "use" or "charge generation" state), resulting in the generation of triboelectric charge on the contact surface (i.e., the surface of the textile 602 contacting the film 604), and the output will then depend on the stretching elongation associated with the strain.

[0142] A good linear response from 5% to 20% strain can be observed, but due to the limited elongation of the textile structure, the maximum strain that the device 600 can withstand is only 35%. For an applied strain of 20%, the relative resistance of the textile strip changes by ΔR / R0=45%, where R and R0 are the resistances with and without applied strain, and ΔR=|R-R0|.

[0143] Arched Finger Flex Sensor

[0144] Similarly, a double-arch strain sensor based on PEDOT:PSS functionalized textiles and Eco-flex film for finger motion detection was developed. Figure 7 a. Relatedly, Figure 7 A photograph showing an as-prepared finger bend sensor 700 mounted on a user's hand via a glove 702 is shown ( Figure 7 (a)), the glove 702 has an arch 704 on the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) and an arch 706 on the metacarpophalangeal joint (MP), wherein Figure 7 (e) schematically provides an embodiment with two independent arches 708, arch 710, and Figure 7 (i) shows two arches in a single continuous textile strip 712. Figure 7 (b) is a photograph of a hand bending, which results in a corresponding elongation of the arch 704 and two independent sensor designs (i.e. Figure 7 (e)) Figure 7 (f)) and single sensor designs (i.e. Figure 7 (i)) Figure 7 (j)). Figure 7 (c) is a photograph of the MP bending and the corresponding signals of two independent sensor designs ( Figure 7 (g)) and the corresponding signal for a single sensor design ( Figure 7 (k)). Similarly, Figure 7 (d) shows the bending of two arches 704, arch 706 and the corresponding outputs of two independent sensor designs (7(h)) and the corresponding output of a single sensor design (7(l)).

[0145] Figure 7 The finger bending sensor in (a) is attached to the human index finger for characterization. Each arch is located just above a finger joint to sense the bending motion of the finger joint. The PIP and MP of the index finger are shown in the figure, and the output signals of the PIP and MP corresponding to different bending angles are also shown.

[0146] Applications for hand motion capture

[0147] To separate the two parameters (PIP and MP), a new design of two arches was fabricated using two pieces of textile arranged in a non-contact manner - i.e. without a connection, such as a physical or electrical direct connection. Each arch structure can easily identify the bending angle of the corresponding finger joint. Using the optimized finger bend sensor, an application can be demonstrated in hand motion capture. Figure 8 As shown in Figure 800 and 802, by attaching the double-arch finger bending sensor to the index finger and the middle finger, four hand movements representing the four letter symbols "A", "B", "C", and "D" in American Sign Language with different bending angles of the index finger and the middle finger can be measured and realized. Figure 8 A photograph showing a finger gesture sensor including sensor 800 and sensor 802 as manufactured is shown ( Figure 8 (a)), Figure 8 (b) shows the alphabetic symbols "A", "B", "C", "D" in American Sign Language, and the output signals from four electrodes (two for each sensor 800, 802), and Figure 8 (c) shows the output signal of "A", Figure 8 (d) shows the output signal of "B", Figure 8 (f) shows the output signal of "C", Figure 8 (e) shows the output signal of “D”. A single execution instance of a gesture or symbol is bounded by the dashed box in each output graph.

[0148] Applications for robot control

[0149] The finger sensors also offer the possibility to provide sensing signals for manipulator control. The output signals from each sensor are recorded and processed to control the manipulator's movements, and the output amplitude determines the bending angle of the manipulator controlled by the computer. The gestures and the corresponding output signals of each arch sensor are recorded in Fig. 9 , showing the gestures of a human hand and the corresponding response gestures of a robot hand. Fig. 9 A photo showing four finger motion sensors with different modes mounted on a human hand through a glove ( Fig. 9 (a)), Fig. 9 (b) shows the corresponding Fig. 9 (a) The output signals of the four electrodes or sensing devices mounted on the hand, and Fig. 9 (c) shows the manipulator controlled based on the output signal from the sensor.

[0150] Smart textiles for healthcare applications

[0151] Activity Monitoring

[0152] Detection and monitoring of human activity is useful in many applications such as patient monitoring. Fig.10 a to Fig.10 d, a wearable human motion detection platform based on smart textiles (e.g., clothing incorporating the sensing textiles described above) for healthcare monitoring is developed. Relatedly, Fig.10 The buttocks (eg Fig.10 (a)), arms (as Fig.10 (b)), elbows (as shown Fig.10 (c)) and knees (as Fig.10 (d) Photograph of the activity monitoring sensor on the ). Fig.10 (e) shows Fig.10 (a) to Fig.10 (d) shows output signals of the four sensors in various scenarios, such as standing up (1000), walking (slow 1002a, fast 1002b), running (1004), exercising (slow 1006a, fast 1006b), falling (1008) and sitting down (1010).

[0153] The whole system consists of four parts to distinguish different human body movements. A simple three-layer structure TENG based on the above smart textiles was fabricated and attached to an arched polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, e.g. Fig.10 As shown. Fig.10 As shown in (a), a self-powered sensor is placed on the hip to detect the sitting or standing action, and Fig.10 As shown in (d), a self-powered sensor is attached just below the knee to sense a sudden fall. Fig.10 As shown in (c), a multi-arch strain sensor is placed at the elbow to record the movement of the human arm, and Fig.10 As shown in (b), the textile-based TENG is attached to the sleeve and under the arm respectively, which can distinguish human activities more accurately. The sensing textile device can, for example, include: a sensing textile configured to be placed at a first position on the human body, and a spacer layer and a conductive backing layer configured to be placed at a second position on the human body, the second position moving past the first position during human body movement, such as Fig.10 (b) Activate the sensing textile device. This activation can be achieved through the triboelectric properties of the sensing device.

[0154] By monitoring the bending angle and movement speed of the arm, useful information about the exercise performed by the human body can be collected. If the person experiences a sudden fall event while walking or running, a huge positive peak voltage can be detected from the device, as shown in 1008. This can be used for fall detection for the elderly or disabled. A wireless transmission module can be used to set an alarm to notify the hospital if the person does not stand up within a short period of time after the fall is detected. A negative output voltage can only be detected when the person stands up from the ground.

[0155] CO2 Sensing

[0156] To demonstrate the application of textile-based TENG as a CO2 sensor, polyethyleneimine (PEI) solution was sprayed onto the PEDOT:PSS functionalized textile surface. The cotton fabric was coated with undiluted PEDOT:PSS solution in this section for better conductivity. The PEI gel was diluted 10 times with DI water for spraying. To perform the contact-release cycle, the frequency of the mobile stage was set to 0.5 Hz and the force was set to 10 N. Fig.11 Schematic diagram of the test setup of the PEI-coated CO2 sensing textile in (a) After spraying or jetting between the sensing textile 1102 and the substrate 1104, as CO2 is absorbed, a urethane layer 1106 (CO2-PEI complex) is formed, which in turn changes the electronegativity of the PEI layer 1102. This change in electronegativity can be projected onto the transferred charge of the triboelectric nanogenerator. Fig.11 b describes the transferred charge or charge response on the sensor under different CO2 concentrations of the textile-based TENG with negative triboelectric materials of PTFE and PET (contact layer).

[0157] The transfer charge Q of both devices increases with the increase of CO2 concentration, and when the CO2 concentration reaches 10000 ppm, Q is almost saturated. For TENG with PTFE as the negative triboelectric material, the transfer charge increases from 5.35 nC to 7.67 nC and reaches saturation, with a sensitivity of 2.69×10 -4 nC / ppm.

[0158] PEDOT:PSS-coated smart socks

[0159] Smart socks as triboelectric energy harvester with piezoelectric force sensor

[0160] Mechanical energy from foot movements is considered an important source of electricity that can be converted into electrical energy through the triboelectric effect. Previous research has focused on insole energy harvesters. Due to the conductivity of the coating, PEDOT:PSS-coated smart socks enable the textile itself to become an effective triboelectric material. Therefore, Fig.12As shown in (a), a sock designed according to the teachings of the present invention can generate electricity while being more compact and more comfortable to wear than a generator directly integrated into the sole of a shoe. Fig.12 (a) shows a PEDOT:PSS coated sock 1200 and a pristine sock 1202 . Fig.12 (b) shows the as-prepared PZT sensor array 1204 on the PDMS substrate 1206 (before being embedded in a sock), and Fig.12 (c) is a close-up of a single PZT sensor cell 1208 with top and bottom electrodes.

[0161] Fig.13 The output power measured in different scenarios is shown. In shoes, each sock can provide a maximum power of 137W and 66W (jumping / running and walking), respectively. In the absence of shoes, the output power can be further improved to 1.7mW and 1.1mW as the time of the full triboelectric contact / release cycle increases. PTFE membrane is used as the negative contact material during the test. Fig.12 To realize truly smart socks, the lead zirconate titanate (PZT) chip is thinned to 50 μm to make a flexible force sensor small enough to be embedded in socks without losing comfort, as shown in Figures 12b and 12c. Fig.13 shows the comparison of the output voltage and (b) current between the PEDOT:PSS coated sock and the non-coated sock - shown in Fig.13 (a) and Fig.13 (b). Fig.12 (c) shows the power curve of the smart sock in the shoe under walking and jumping conditions. Similarly, Fig.13 (d) shows the power curves of the smart socks under walking and jumping conditions and without shoes.

[0162] Smart socks as motion, gait and force sensors

[0163] Based on the working principle of the triboelectric effect, physical sensors can also be realized by integrating multiple electrodes into socks or shoes. Fig.14 In , by designing a PTFE insole with four electrodes, gait and position can be identified by the signal peak with greater pressure. Fig.14 c, due to its high sensitivity, embedded thin PZT force sensors can provide a more quantitative analysis of the pressure from the motion. Fig.14 It is shown that for triboelectric sensors, Fig.14 (a) Gait detection via multiple electrodes, targeting toe and heel contact, Fig.14 (b) Output voltage vs. force calibration, and, for PZT piezoelectric force sensors: Fig.14(c) Output signals from two corresponding positions during walking compared with the theoretical foot pressure map.

[0164] Smart socks as sweat sensors

[0165] The triboelectric performance is humidity-dependent in terms of output. To take advantage of this feature, a sweat sensor was developed together with a piezoelectric sensor. More specifically, both contact force and humidity affect triboelectric generation. To eliminate the effect of force fluctuations, a PZT force sensor was used as a baseline because it does not vary with humidity. Therefore, Fig.15 As shown, by measuring the triboelectric signal and the piezoelectric signal simultaneously, we can obtain rough data about the sweating status of the foot for further sports monitoring or healthcare purposes. Fig.15 The output voltages of a PZT sensor and a triboelectric sensor in separate, closely placed devices or in the same device (eg, a garment such as a sock) are shown under conditions of added sweat. A 0.9 wt% NaCl solution was used to simulate sweat.

[0166] The first generation of such smart textiles used only textiles as substrates, which were combined with rigid and miniaturized electronic components. Intrinsically flexible and wearable sensors based on textiles or fabrics have emerged to achieve a seamless combination of multifunctional sensors and textiles. The common sensing mechanism of textile-based flexible or stretchable sensors is based on resistance changes, which still cannot bypass the essential problem of power consumption. To address this issue, fabric-based TENGs have emerged for energy harvesting and self-powered sensing due to the unique advantages of softness, light weight, breathability, natural microstructure, and low cost of textiles. However, the further development of textile-based and self-powered sensors in the prior art still faces challenges on the road to large-scale production for practical applications.

[0167] According to the present disclosure, PEDOT:PSS functionalized smart textiles for a variety of wearable applications are fabricated through a simple and low-cost method. Large-scale energy harvesting, physiological sensing, and chemical sensing properties can be achieved with a more compact and comfortable solution. The generated electricity can be stored to support the operation of other wearable devices.

[0168] Possible industrial applications of the methods and devices disclosed in this article include textile-based multimodal energy harvesters, self-powered strain sensors, gesture sensors, motion sensors, chemical sensors with different enzyme coatings, sweat sensors, force sensors for healthcare, virtual reality, smart control and entertainment applications.

[0169] In tests, the PEDOT:PSS coatings may show some degradation after washing if no special treatment is applied. However, this problem can be solved or reduced by referring to surface treatment technologies available in the textile industry to prevent the coated PEDOT:PSS molecules from being washed away when the clothes or textiles are washed in a washing machine.

[0170] The present teachings can be used to produce garments that include a sensing textile device as described herein.

[0171] Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0172] Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and its grammatical variations will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated integers or steps or groups of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integers or steps or groups of integers or steps.

[0173] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

Claims

1. A method for forming a sensing textile, comprising: providing conductive polymers, dopants and solvents; mixing the conductive polymer, a dopant, and a solvent to form a mixture having a predetermined ratio of the conductive polymer and the dopant and a predetermined concentration of the conductive polymer; contacting a fabric with the mixture to coat the fabric with the conductive polymer and the dopant; drying the coated fabric; as well as The sensing textile is attached to a substrate at at least two spaced-apart positions so that the sensing textile has a static state and a power generation state, in which the sensing textile and the substrate are spaced apart between the at least two spaced-apart positions and in which the sensing textile and the substrate are in contact between the at least two spaced-apart positions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a conductive polymer comprises providing a conductive organic polymer.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conductive polymer is provided as a dispersion in a solution.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a conductive polymer comprises providing poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a dopant comprises providing a dopant to increase the conductivity of the conductive polymer after drying on the coated fabric.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein providing a dopant comprises providing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein mixing the conductive polymer, the dopant and the solvent to form a mixture of the conductive polymer and the dopant having a predetermined ratio comprises doping the conductive polymer with 5 wt% of the dopant.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a solvent comprises providing water.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein providing water comprises providing deionized water.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein mixing the conductive polymer, dopant, and solvent to form a mixture having a predetermined concentration of the conductive polymer comprises mixing the conductive polymer, dopant, and solvent to form a mixture having 12.5% ​​conductive polymer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein drying the coated fabric comprises drying the coated fabric at 80°C for at least 30 minutes.

12. A sensing textile device comprising: A sensing textile formed according to the method of claim 1.

13. The sensing textile apparatus of claim 12, wherein the sensing textile forms an arch between the at least two spaced apart locations, and stretching the substrate causes the sensing textile to enter the power generating state.

14. The sensing textile device of claim 13, wherein the sensing textile forms two or more arches attached to the substrate between respective pairs of locations in the at least two spaced-apart locations.

15. The sensing textile apparatus of claim 14, wherein the sensing textile comprises at least two sensing textile portions attached to the substrate in a non-contact arrangement.

16. A sensing textile device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, configured to be worn on a finger, the spaced apart locations being on opposite sides of a joint of the finger.

17. A sensing textile device according to claim 14 or 15, configured to be worn on a finger, one of the two or more arches being positioned on opposite sides of a joint of the finger, and another of the two or more arches being positioned on opposite sides of a different joint of the finger.

18. The sensing textile device of claim 14, wherein each of the two or more arches is a different size than at least another of the two or more arches.

19. The sensing textile device of claim 18, comprising a single strip of the sensing textile, and wherein the two or more arches form a series of arches along the strip.

20. The sensing textile device of claim 19, wherein the series of arches gradually increase in size.

21. A sensing textile device comprising: A sensing textile formed according to claim 1; a conductive backing layer; as well as a spacer layer disposed between the sensing textile and the conductive backing layer; The conductive backing layer and the sensing textile are separated by the spacer layer.

22. The sensing textile device according to claim 21, wherein the spacer layer is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

23. A sensing textile device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the conductive backing layer is aluminium.

24. A sensing textile device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the sensing textile is configured to be located at a first position on a human body, and the spacer layer and the conductive backing layer are configured to be located at a second position on the human body, the second position passing through the first position during movement of the human body, thereby activating the sensing textile device.

25. A garment comprising the sensing textile device according to claim 12.

26. A garment according to claim 25, wherein the garment is a sock for sensing a user's gait.

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