Functionalizing Fibres for Energy Recovery Applications

Flexible substrate devices are becoming increasingly popular, with wearable and other fabric-based devices being a significant research focus. Powering wearable sensors and electronics presents a challenge to further implementation of such devices. The ability to power these devices using energy recovery techniques would therefore be desirable.

The aim of this project is to research a self-charging paradigm for fabric-based devices by functionalising threads, which could be embroidered into fabrics. In this paradigm, energy is recovered to power wearable devices, rather than having to charge them. The method will not only address the usability challenges around offline periods but will also pave the way for long-term continuous monitoring capabilities. The focus will be on various energy recovery options, including piezoelectricity, magnetic induction and photovoltaics through the functionalisation of threads.

In order to achieve this, we can take existing energy scavenging technologies and develop them via the functionalisation of threads that can then be sewn into clothing. This technology could also be developed to scavenge energy from light in net window curtains. This project will investigate how to functionalise the threads and test how robust they are for use in clothing and will involve taking standard microfabrication techniques and devising innovative ways to modify them for use with threads and fabrics.

In addition to the immediate application of wearables, another inherent advantage is to develop mechanically conformal functional surfaces using flexible substrates and embroidery methods. This feature will be explored in applications where a conformal, flexible, and low-cost active surface is required especially in challenging environments