Stretchable Optical Fibers: Threads for Strain-Sensitive Textiles

作者:Harnett Cindy K*; Zhao Huichan; Shepherd Robert F
来源:Advanced Materials Technologies, 2017, 2(9): 1700087.
DOI:10.1002/admt.201700087

摘要

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.

  • 出版日期2017-9