Large-area display textiles integrated with functional systems

Xiang Shi, Yong Zuo, Peng Zhai, Jiahao Shen, Yangyiwei Yang, Zhen Gao, Meng Liao, Jingxia Wu, Jiawei Wang, Xiaojie Xu, Qi Tong, Bo Zhang, Bingjie Wang, Xuemei Sun, Lihua Zhang, Qibing Pei, Dayong Jin, Peining Chen () and Huisheng Peng ()
Additional contact information
Xiang Shi: Fudan University
Yong Zuo: Fudan University
Peng Zhai: Fudan University
Jiahao Shen: Fudan University
Yangyiwei Yang: Institute of Materials Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt
Zhen Gao: Fudan University
Meng Liao: Fudan University
Jingxia Wu: Fudan University
Jiawei Wang: Fudan University
Xiaojie Xu: Fudan University
Qi Tong: Fudan University
Bo Zhang: Fudan University
Bingjie Wang: Fudan University
Xuemei Sun: Fudan University
Lihua Zhang: Fudan University
Qibing Pei: University of California, Los Angeles
Dayong Jin: University of Technology Sydney
Peining Chen: Fudan University
Huisheng Peng: Fudan University

Nature, 2021, vol. 591, issue 7849, 240-245

Abstract: Abstract Displays are basic building blocks of modern electronics1,2. Integrating displays into textiles offers exciting opportunities for smart electronic textiles—the ultimate goal of wearable technology, poised to change the way in which we interact with electronic devices3–6. Display textiles serve to bridge human–machine interactions7–9, offering, for instance, a real-time communication tool for individuals with voice or speech difficulties. Electronic textiles capable of communicating10, sensing11,12 and supplying electricity13,14 have been reported previously. However, textiles with functional, large-area displays have not yet been achieved, because it is challenging to obtain small illuminating units that are both durable and easy to assemble over a wide area. Here we report a 6-metre-long, 25-centimetre-wide display textile containing 5 × 105 electroluminescent units spaced approximately 800 micrometres apart. Weaving conductive weft and luminescent warp fibres forms micrometre-scale electroluminescent units at the weft–warp contact points. The brightness between electroluminescent units deviates by less than 8 per cent and remains stable even when the textile is bent, stretched or pressed. Our display textile is flexible and breathable and withstands repeated machine-washing, making it suitable for practical applications. We show that an integrated textile system consisting of display, keyboard and power supply can serve as a communication tool, demonstrating the system’s potential within the ‘internet of things’ in various areas, including healthcare. Our approach unifies the fabrication and function of electronic devices with textiles, and we expect that woven-fibre materials will shape the next generation of electronics.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03295-8

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