Smart Fibers for Self-Powered Electronic Skins

Smart fibers are considered as promising materials for the fabrication of wearable electronic skins owing to their features such as superior flexibility, light weight, high specific area, and ease of modification. Besides, piezoelectric or triboelectric electronic skins can respond to mechanical stimulation and directly convert the mechanical energy into electrical power for self-use, thereby providing an attractive method for tactile sensing and motion perception. The incorporation of sensing capabilities into smart fibers could be a powerful approach to the development of self-powered electronic skins. Herein, we review several aspects of the recent advancements in the development of self-powered electronic skins constructed with smart fibers. The summarized aspects include functional material selection, structural design, pressure sensing mechanism, and proof-to-concept demonstration to practical application. In particular, various fabrication strategies and a wide range of practical applications have been systematically introduced. Finally, a critical assessment of the challenges and promising perspectives for the development of fiber-based electronic skins has been presented.

Automated summary

Smart fibers have great potential for the fabrication of wearable electronic skins due to their flexibility, light weight, large surface area, and ease of modification. Incorporating sensing capabilities into smart fibers enables the development of self-powered electronic skins. This review summarizes the recent advancements in self-powered electronic skins constructed with smart fibers, including functional material selection, structural design, pressure sensing mechanism, and proof-to-concept demonstration to practical application. It also discusses the challenges and promising perspectives for the development of fiber-based electronic skins.