Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a smart fabric based on MXene and conductive polymers that can convert body heat and solar energy into electricity. This fabric aims to overcome the limitations of current wearable devices that often require external power or frequent recharging.
MXene, a flexible 2D graphene-like material with electric and metallic conductivity, forms the base of the fabric. According to Yuning Li, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and director of Waterloo’s Printable Electronic Materials Lab, this innovation brings the potential for practical applications for smart fabrics closer to reality.
The new fabric is more stable, durable, and cost-effective than other smart fabrics. It also has multifunctional sensing capabilities. Various sensors can be integrated into the material to monitor temperature, stress, and chemical composition. One application could be smart face masks that track breath temperature and detect chemicals to identify viruses, lung cancer, and other conditions.
Li notes that AI technology relies on extensive data collection, which conventional sensors cannot meet due to their bulk, weight, and cost. Printed sensors embedded in smart fabrics offer an ideal solution for continuous data collection and monitoring.
Future research will focus on enhancing the fabric’s performance and integrating it with electronic components. A smartphone app that tracks and sends data from the fabric to medical practitioners could be one of the future developments, allowing for real-time, non-invasive health monitoring.
The research is published in the Journal of Materials Science & Technology. A similar fabric developed at the University can heat up by 30°C after 10 minutes in the sun and can stretch five times its original shape.