News / UWE Bristol
UWE Bristol leads study into eco-friendly ‘e-textiles’
A groundbreaking study led by UWE Bristol, University of Southampton and several other universities has unveiled a new, eco-friendly approach to wearable electronic textiles (e-textiles).
These innovative fabrics, designed to integrate electrical components like sensors, batteries, or lights, have the potential to revolutionise sectors such as fashion, sportswear, and healthcare.
E-textiles are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to monitor vital signs, but one major concern has been their environmental impact.
is needed now More than ever
Traditional e-textiles often incorporate metals like silver that don’t biodegrade, posing challenges for recycling and disposal. The new study, published in Energy and Environmental Materials, addresses this issue with a pioneering design called SWEET (Smart, Wearable, and Eco-friendly Electronic Textiles).
E-textiles are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to monitor vital signs, but one major concern has been their environmental impact
The SWEET design features a three-layer structure: a sensing layer, a sensor interface layer, and a biodegradable base fabric made from Tencel, a renewable material derived from wood pulp.
The electronics, made from graphene and PEDOT: PSS polymers, are inkjet-printed onto the fabric. This sustainable manufacturing process minimizes material waste and reduces water and energy consumption compared to traditional methods like screen printing.
Marzia Dulal, a Commonwealth PhD Scholar and the first author of the study based at UWE Bristol’s Centre for Print Research, said: “Our life cycle analysis shows that graphene-based e-textiles have a fraction of the environmental footprint compared to traditional electronics. This makes them a more responsible choice for industries looking to reduce their ecological impact.”
The researchers tested the e-textiles on five volunteers, successfully using them to monitor heart rate and body temperature at industry-standard accuracy.
A groundbreaking study led by UWE Bristol, University of Southampton and several other universities has unveiled a new, eco-friendly approach to wearable electronic textiles (e-textiles)
The study also showed that the e-textiles are capable of decomposing rapidly—after four months of burial, the material had lost nearly half its weight and almost all its strength, proving its biodegradability.
This breakthrough has significant environmental implications, as the graphene-based e-textiles have up to 40 times less environmental impact than conventional electronic materials.
The study provides a promising solution to the growing concern of clothing waste while maintaining the performance and functionality required for critical applications, especially in healthcare.
As e-textiles continue to integrate into everyday life, the development of sustainable, biodegradable materials will play a crucial role in reducing ecological footprints and ensuring a cleaner, greener future.
Findings are published in the journal Energy and Environmental Materials.
All photos: Marzia Dulal
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
