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Electronic textiles

A logical step

Nature Materials volume 6, pages 328–329 (2007)Cite this article

The integration of electronics and clothing promises a variety of new technologies, but constructing electronic circuits on fabrics is complex. Coating fibres to create electrodes and forming transistors at their crossing points offers an elegant solution.

The concept of multifunctional — electronic or 'smart' — fabrics was suggested several years ago1, but only recently has their true potential to make life safer, healthier and more comfortable been recognised. Multifunctional fabrics are conceived as innovative and high-knowledge-content apparel, integrating sensing, actuation, processing and power functions into a single garment2. Perhaps the most compelling application is that of providing quality health care in modern society, delivered by means of easy-to-use wearable interfaces, to enable prevention, diagnosis, therapy and even rehabilitation3.

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Figure 1: Working principles of OFET and electrochemical WECT transistors.
Figure 2: Logic circuits constructed from WECTs.

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  1. Danilo De Rossi is at the Center E. Piaggio, University of Pisa, Via Diotisalvi, 2, 56100 Pisa, Italy. d.derossi@ing.unipi.it,

    Danilo De Rossi

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  1. Danilo De Rossi
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De Rossi, D. A logical step. Nature Mater 6, 328–329 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat1892

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