Representative image. ChateauDede/iStock
A research team headed by the University of Southampton, alongside UWE Bristol and several other prestigious institutions, has made significant strides in creating wearable electronics that are both sustainable and biodegradable.
Their latest study, detailed in the journal Energy and Environmental Materials, introduces an innovative line of eco-friendly electronic textiles (e-textiles) termed ‘Smart, Wearable, and Eco-friendly Electronic Textiles,’ or ‘SWEET.’
E-textiles integrate electrical components—such as sensors, batteries, and lights—into traditional fabrics, opening the door to applications across various fields, including fashion, sportswear, and medical monitoring.
However, with increasing concern over textile waste, the challenge has been to develop e-textiles that are durable, comfortable, and environmentally friendly once they reach the end of their lifecycle.
Revolutionizing fashion
Professor Nazmul Karim, from the University of Southampton’s Winchester School of Art, emphasizes the complexities of recycling conventional textiles integrated with electronic elements.
Many of these fabrics contain metals like silver that resist biodegradation. However, with their sustainable approach, the research team seeks to resolve this issue, enabling the fabrics to decompose naturally when discarded.
The SWEET design features three distinct layers: a sensing layer, an interface layer for the sensors, and a base fabric.
The base layer is crafted from Tencel, a biodegradable textile derived from renewable wood sources.
The active electronic components employ graphene combined with PEDOT: PSS, a conductive polymer precisely inkjet-printed onto the fabric. This method enhances the fabric’s functionality and ensures that it remains eco-friendly.
To validate their claims, the team conducted tests with five volunteers wearing gloves equipped with fabric swatches connected to monitoring devices.
The results demonstrated the e-textile’s ability to track vital signs, including heart rate and body temperature, meeting industry standards.
Dr. Shaila Afroj, an Associate Professor of Sustainable Materials at the University of Exeter and a study co-author, underscored this achievement, stating, “Achieving reliable, industry-standard monitoring with eco-friendly materials is a significant milestone. This shows that sustainability can coexist with functionality, particularly in critical areas like healthcare.”
Further testing involved burying the e-textiles in the soil to assess their biodegradability.
Biodegradable e-textiles
Remarkably, after just four months, the material had shed 48% of its weight and 98% of its strength, indicating a rapid and effective decomposition process.
A life cycle assessment revealed that the graphene electrodes used in the study had an environmental impact up to 40 times lower than traditional electronic components.
Marzia Dulal, a Commonwealth PhD Scholar at UWE Bristol and the first author of the study spoke to the findings’ implications for the future, adding, “Our life cycle analysis shows that graphene-based e-textiles have a fraction of the environmental footprint compared to traditional electronics, making them an environmentally responsible choice for industries striving to minimize their ecological impact.”
The inkjet printing method employed in creating these e-textiles also marks a step forward in sustainable manufacturing.
This technique allows for precise deposition of functional materials on fabrics, resulting in minimal waste and reduced water and energy consumption compared to conventional screen printing.
Looking ahead, Professor Karim stated, “With the dilemma of rising pollution from landfills, our research addresses an essential gap in the study of e-textile biodegradation. As these materials become increasingly integral to our lives, especially in healthcare, it is crucial to consider their ecological impact throughout their entire lifecycle.”
The research team is eager to develop wearable garments utilizing the SWEET technology for application in the healthcare sector, particularly for early detection and prevention of heart-related diseases affecting approximately 640 million people globally.
This pioneering work could redefine the future of wearable technology and its environmental footprint.
