Flexible stimuli-responsive materials for smart personal protective equipment

Li sha Zhang, Jun Li, Fei Wang, Ji dong Shi, Wei Chen, Xiao ming Tao

    Research output: Journal article publicationReview articleAcademic researchpeer-review

    24 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Flexible stimuli-responsive materials are deformable, stretchable, light-weight, and desirable for smart personal protective equipment (PPE), and as the primarily functional components in the wearable system which spontaneously respond to surrounding variations. These materials enable the traditional PPE who provide passive protection to be smart with the abilities of sensing, actuating, surface changing and self-healing, which enhances the protection and reduces the unintentional occupation injuries. This article presents a critical review of the structure, properties, fundamental mechanisms and current development of flexible stimuli-responsive materials and their potential/present applications to smart PPE, covering strain, pressure, temperature, and gas sensors, biopotential electrodes, exosystems, switchable wetting surfaces and biosafety masks. Scientific and practical challenges along with critical issues and opportunities are also discussed.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number100629
    JournalMaterials Science and Engineering R: Reports
    Volume146
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Oct 2021

    Keywords

    • Antiwetting surfaces
    • Biosafety materials
    • Flexible actuating materials
    • Flexible sensing materials
    • Self-healing materials
    • Switchable wetting

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Materials Science
    • Mechanics of Materials
    • Mechanical Engineering

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