Wearable UV Sensor Based on Carbon Nanotube-Coated Cotton Thread

A fabric-compatible UV sensor is presented using a cellulose-based thread coated with single-wall carbon nanotube ink. Two-terminal resistive responses of the thread were measured upon exposure to UV, and the effects of intensity, wavelength, and on/off cycling were studied. The sensor was tested in the field under direct sunlight, demonstrating practical usability for a wearable/flexible UV sensor system. The results here confirm the potential for an inexpensive wearable sensor in contrast to the conventional rigid and bulky solid-state detectors.