Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Smart Fibers Could Allow T-Shirts to Analyze Electrolytes and Metabolites in Sweat

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 23 Jan 2023

Fibers and fabrics have become an integral part of our daily lives, although much remains unchanged for them despite centuries of human progression. More...

Nevertheless, recent advancements in the multi-material fiber drawing process have led to the development of new multifunctional, fiber-based smart fabrics. Smart fabrics make it possible to seamlessly integrate electronics, optics, biosensors, and mechanics into a thin strand of fiber that is intrinsically flexible and as thin as the human hair. Such fabrics can then be used for monitoring the vital physiological signals related to human mental and physical health.

Now, a team of researchers at Tohoku University (Sendai, Japan) has developed a microelectronic fiber with microscopic parameters that is capable of analyzing electrolytes and metabolites in sweat. The micrometer scale of the microelectronic fiber enables it to be woven into clothes for healthcare applications. The researchers developed the microelectronic fiber by leveraging the versatile thermal drawing process, in which heat is applied to draw out micro-structured fiber from its macroscopic preform. The researchers also patterned on two sensing electrodes for sodium and uric acid on the longitudinal surface of the fiber.

Mainstream photolithography and printing technology have made wearable electronics possible, although this generally requires the attachment of fairly rigid electronic patches to the existing fabrics or directly on the skin, resulting in just a small area of the body being covered. The new microelectronic fiber could pave the way for fiber-based smart clothes that offer more versatility in terms of functions, larger sensing areas, and greater comfort. The new smart fabric could revolutionize the textile and healthcare industries, according to the researchers, benefiting the overall society.

"Our breakthrough is the first successful attempt at using thermally drawn fiber in wearable bioelectronics for monitoring biochemical signatures," said Dr. Yuanyuan Guo, assistant professor at Tohoku University's Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, who led the research team.

Related Links:
Tohoku University 


New
Gold Member
Hematology Analyzer
Medonic M32B
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
New
Silver Member
Quality Control Material
NATtrol Chlamydia trachomatis Positive Control
New
Sperm Quality Analyis Kit
QwikCheck Beads Precision and Linearity Kit
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The test could streamline clinical decision-making by identifying ideal candidates for immunotherapy upfront (Xiao, Y. et al. Cancer Biology & Medicine July 2025, 20250038)

Blood Test Predicts Immunotherapy Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, making immunotherapy a promising yet unpredictable option. Current biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression or tumor... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: New diagnostics could predict a woman’s risk of a common sexually transmitted infection (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Markers Could Predict Risk of Severe Chlamydia Infection

Chlamydia trachomatis is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and other reproductive complications when it spreads to the upper genital tract.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.