Superhydrophobic and Highly Elastic Strain-Sensing Fiber Embedded with Carbon Nanotubes and Aerogels Based on the Dipping and Drying Method

For a fiber-based strain sensor to be used as a wearable device, its conductivity and sensing characteristics should be stably maintained even during repeated mechanical movements. Additionally, the sensing characteristics should remain unaffected by external contaminants, such as water or sweat, as the sensor is expected to be in contact with the human body. In this study, a superhydrophobic and highly elastic strain-sensing fiber with durability against continuous tension and contraction while maintaining a stable sensing performance even when in contact with water and sweat is developed. A carbon nanotube is embedded, which is a highly conductive material, inside a spandex fiber with high elasticity and shape recovery rate, enabling the stable measurement of repetitive joint movements under various strain conditions. Furthermore, a superhydrophobic silica aerogel is embedded inside the spandex fiber to facilitate stable sensing without malfunction even when exposed to external contaminants. The proposed strain-sensing fiber can monitor joints of the human body during various movements, such as dumbbell pressing, squatting, walking, and running. Therefore, the study findings can contribute to the development of wearable healthcare devices that warrant reliable sensing. A superhydrophobic and highly elastic strain-sensing fiber can withstand continuous tension and contraction while maintaining a stable sensing performance even when in contact with water and sweat. This can be achieved through a simple dipping and drying method, which embeds a carbon nanotube and silica aerogel within a spandex fiber that has a high elasticity and shape recovery rate.image