Yonsei Research Team Develops Stretchable Fiber for Use in “Smart Gloves” and other Wearable Electronic Devices

-Sensors Embedded in Smart Gloves Capable of Discerning Sign Language

-Cover Article of Advanced Functional Materials

A joint research team, led by Yonsei College of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Professors Lee Tae-yoon and Kim Dae-eun, has developed a highly-stretchable, conductive fiber capable of detecting sign language when embedded in “smart gloves.” This composite fiber, which is made of silver nanowires and nanoparticles in a stretchable polymer, has the potential to be used in a number of wearable and foldable electronic devices to perceive human motions. The stretchable fiber constitutes a significant advance over existing technologies, and because it can be fabricated using a simple wet spinning method, production costs should be relatively low.

The results of the team’s research were featured as the cover article in the June 3 issue of Advanced Functional Materials, a top international journal in the field of materials research. The title of the article is “Stretchable Electronics: Ag Nanowire Reinforced Highly Stretchable Conductive Fibers for Wearable Electronics.” According to Professor Lee and Professor Kim: “We expect this exciting research to contribute greatly to developments not only in wearable ‘smart fabrics,’ but also in the fields of health care, skin care, and robotics.”