Materials and processes for stretchable and wearable e-textile devices

Recent developments in materials and device design, specifically for mechanically flexible/stretchable, wearable electronics has broadened the applicability of "Internet of Things" concepts to a myriad of new fields and commercial products. This chapter summarizes the recent advances in developing flexible and stretchable conducting elements for e-textile device applications. It introduces several material classes for use as textile layer and/or support fiber. The chapter also summarizes the recent studies addressing specific devices, including interconnects, electrodes, sensors, heaters, supercapacitors, and energy generators by using metal nanomaterials, carbon nanomaterials, conducting polymers, polyaniline, and supporting fibers. The fabrication of e-textile can be achieved in two ways: via direct penetration/printing/in situ growth of the conducting materials into the fabric; by coating the conducting materials on fibers/yarns followed by fabric manufacturing. The electrical conductor is a critical element for enabling flexible and stretchable electronic devices. The chapter outlines the major challenges and opportunities that this research field is experiencing.