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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
06:21
A Simple and Scalable Fabrication Method for Organic Electronic Devices on Textiles
Published on: March 13, 2017
Towards woven logic from organic electronic fibres
Mahiar Hamedi1, Robert Forchheimer, Olle Inganäs
1Biomolecular and Organic Electronics, IFM, Center of Organic Electronics, Linköpings Universitet, S 581 83 Linköping, Sweden.
Nature Materials
|April 5, 2007
Summary
Researchers developed wire electrochemical transistors (WECTs) on single textile fibers. This innovation enables the creation of 3D polymer micro-electronics integrated directly into woven fabrics, paving the way for smart textiles.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Electronics
- Textile Engineering
Background:
- Organic polymers are explored for low-cost electronic applications, with printing and weaving technologies offering potential for mass production.
- Existing polymer field-effect transistors are unsuitable for electronic textiles due to requirements for precise insulator thickness and high voltage.
- Integrating electronics into textiles is of interest for enhanced functionality and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel wire electrochemical transistors (WECTs) compatible with textile manufacturing processes.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of creating micro-scale electronic devices on single textile fibers.
- To explore the potential for 3D polymer micro-electronics integrated into woven fabrics.
Main Methods:
- Coating textile monofilaments (10-100 µm diameter) with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT).
- Fabrication of micro-scale WECT devices on individual coated fibers.
- Demonstration of digital logic components, including inverters and multiplexers.
Main Results:
- Continuous thin films of PEDOT were successfully coated onto textile monofilaments.
- Micro-scale WECTs were fabricated and demonstrated functionality on single fibers.
- Inverters and multiplexers were successfully created, showcasing digital logic capabilities.
Conclusions:
- A novel approach using WECTs on coated textile fibers enables micro-scale electronics integration.
- This technology facilitates the development of 3D polymer micro-electronics within woven textile structures.
- The findings open new avenues for smart textiles with embedded electronic functionalities.
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