Stretchable Optical Fibers: Threads for Strain‐Sensitive Textiles

Soft, stretchable, sewable, and strain‐sensitive optical fibers are reported. Intrinsically stretchable optical waveguides capable of >100% strain are formed by coating a commercially available elastic urethane fiber (“Stretch Magic”) with a silicone cladding having a lower refractive index. Thes...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advanced materials technologies 2017-09, Vol.2 (9), p.n/a
Main Authors: Harnett, Cindy K., Zhao, Huichan, Shepherd, Robert F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
strain sensors
stretchable optical fibers
textile
waveguide
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Summary:Soft, stretchable, sewable, and strain‐sensitive optical fibers are reported. Intrinsically stretchable optical waveguides capable of >100% strain are formed by coating a commercially available elastic urethane fiber (“Stretch Magic”) with a silicone cladding having a lower refractive index. These 1–2 mm diameter fibers can be attached to textiles using a sewing machine. Because the attaching threads create microbends in the fiber, the sewn fibers are prestrained for monotonic intensity‐versus‐strain behavior. Installed in a stretchable piece of athletic tape, they detect strains originating from changing muscle shapes during weight‐bearing activity. Soft, stretchable, sewable, and strain‐sensitive optical fibers capable of >100% strain are formed by coating a urethane fiber with a silicone cladding having a lower refractive index. These fibers are attached to textiles using a sewing machine and prestrained for monotonic intensity‐versus‐strain behavior. Installed in a stretchable piece of athletic tape, they detect strains exerted by muscles during weight bearing.
ISSN:2365-709X
2365-709X
DOI:10.1002/admt.201700087