Biobased piezofibres for technical textiles

Purpose and goal:

The aim of this project is to identify one or several bioplastic materials suitable for development of piezoelectric textile fibres, piezofibres. The materials selection will be based on experimental results on (i) piezoelectric response, (ii) processability with respect to melt spinning and coating with conductive graphene and (iii) suitability for use in a few products selected by the end-users in the project.

Expected results and effects:

The project will result in experimental data and design concepts towards development of a whole new technical application area for bioplastics: soft piezoelectric fibres and films. By developing processes and material blends for this high tech application for bioplastics, we can replace currently used fossil-based and fluorinated raw materials with biobased ones.

The use of bioplastics for this technical application will open up a whole new market for producers of biopolymers, and provide a substantial opportunity for green product development and branding for end-users. Approach and implementation:

A newly formed interdisciplinary team will collaborate in this development by (1) materials selection; evaluation of several biopolymers with respect to piezoelectric activity, spinnability and compatibility with a conductive graphene coating, and (2) concept development; the characteristics of selected biopolymers will be evaluated with respect to use in the final products. The results will form the basis for continued research where functional piezofibres are developed based on biopolymers suitable for use in technical textiles.