Large-Scale Nanofiber Manufacturing| Dynamic Liquid Metal-Microfiber Interlocking Enables HighlyConductive and Strain-insensitive Metastructured Fibers forWearable Electronics

Adv. Mater. (IF 27.4): Liquid Metal-Microfiber Interlocking Enables Highly Conductive, Strain-Stable Smart Fibers

Challenge: Stretchable fibers with high conductivity are essential for smart textiles and wearable electronics. However, embedding solid conductive materials in polymers significantly reduces conductive pathways under strain, leading to a sharp decline in conductivity.

Approach: Researcher Pan Shaowu’s team (Academician Zhu Meifang, Donghua University) developed a highly conductive and ultra-stable superstructured fiber based on liquid metal-microfiber interlocking, combining electrospinning, coating, and winding.

Innovation 1: The superstructured fiber exhibits exceptional performance, including high conductivity (1.5 × 10⁶ S m⁻¹), stretchability up to 629%, and ultra-stable conductivity (only 16% relative resistance change at 100% strain), far exceeding theoretical predictions.

Innovation 2: A temperature-visualizing electrothermal fiber was developed, enabling both electrical heating and intuitive temperature display. A fully stretchable display fabric was also created, integrating fiber sensors for interactive information functions.