Self-Healing Multimodal Flexible Optoelectronic Fiber Sensors

Fiber-optic sensors are attracting attention because of their high sensitivity, fast response, large capacity-transmission, and anti-electromagnetic interference advantages. Nevertheless, rigid optical fibers are inevitably damaged or even fractured in applications involving large tensile or bending strains (e.g., human body monitoring, soft robotics, and biomedical devices) and the position of the fracture is difficult to locate and repair. Therefore, optically self-healing fiberoptic sensors are highly desirable. Here, we report a design strategy for increasing the polymer segmental mobility and reversible non-covalent bond density of poly(polymerizable deep eutectic solvent) (PDES) to continuously fabricate a core-cladding poly(PDES) optical fiber (CPOF) with significant optical, electrical, and mechanical self-healing abilities. It also possesses low optical propagation attenuation (0.31 dB cm-1), wide temperature tolerance (-77-168 degrees C), and excellent biocompatibility. Moreover, CPOFs have been validated for gesture recognition, subcutaneous self-healing, and pressure-temperature detection, owing to their ability to transmit dual optical-electrical signals in real time, and are promising for various applications in industrial and technological fields.

Automated summary

Fiber-optic sensors are gaining attention for their high sensitivity and fast response. However, rigid optical fibers are prone to damage and fractures in applications involving large strains, making it difficult to locate and repair the fractures. Optically self-healing fiberoptic sensors are highly desirable for such applications.