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Stanley, J 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9393-6104,
2023.
Novel manufacturing methods to realise electronic textiles: modular systems and stretchable, helical electronics.
PhD, Nottingham Trent University.
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Abstract
In electronic textiles (e-textiles), electronic parts are embedded in clothing and other textiles. This work addressed two key e-textile manufacturing challenges: reliable connections between e-textile parts, and manufacturing methods for stretchable e-textiles. Key developments include a novel ‘interposer’ for detachable connections in modular e-textiles, and new method for stretchable e-textiles using flexible electronic strips wound into a helical structure.
A modular temperature sensing garment was created, with sensors located on the thigh, scapula, lower back and chest. Sensors on the thigh were the most accurate, which has implications for future e-textile temperature sensing applications. An interposer – a bridge between dissimilar parts in a circuit – was developed, using two small connectors not previously used in e-textiles. These were incorporated in an updated sensing garment, which survived 1000 cycles of stretching and bending, showing that modular e-textiles are a viable alternative to permanently connected parts.
Stretchable ‘helical e-strips’ were developed by winding strips of flexible circuitry around stretchable rubber cord. Helical e-strips were able to stretch by over 100% before breaking, survived up to 10 washing machine cycles, and over 3000 cycles of stretching by 30% or 40%, depending on the materials used. These results compare well with existing (planar) stretchable electronics technologies, and as helical e-strips are only at the early stages of development, this indicates that with further development they could outperform the current standards.
A new flexible electronics fabrication method was also developed, using the vinyl cutter, a widely available machine. Features as small as 100 µm were successfully fabricated, and this method has potential to make flexible electronics prototyping faster, and accessible outside specialised labs.
In conclusion, this work contributes to the advancement of e-textiles by presenting solutions that enhance modularity and stretchability, paving the way for stretchable e-textiles designed for easy disassembly and reduced waste.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Creators: | Stanley, J. |
| Contributors: | Name Role NTU ID ORCID |
| Date: | December 2023 |
| Rights: | The copyright in this work is held by the author. You may copy up to 5% of this work for private study, or personal, non-commercial research. Any re-use of the information contained within this document should be fully referenced, quoting the author, title, university, degree level and pagination. Queries or requests for any other use, or if a more substantial copy is required, should be directed to the author. |
| Divisions: | Schools > School of Science and Technology |
| Record created by: | Laura Borcherds |
| Date Added: | 08 Jul 2025 12:41 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Jul 2025 12:41 |
| URI: | https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/53897 |
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