Electroactive polymer-based devices for e-textiles in biomedicine

This paper describes the early conception and latest developments of electroactive polymer (EAP) based sensors, actuators, electronic components and power sources, implemented as wearable devices for smart electronic textiles (e-textiles). Such textiles, functioning as multifunctional wearable human interfaces, are today considered relevant promoters of progress and useful tools in several biomedical fields, such as biomonitoring, rehabilitation and telemedicine. After a brief outline on ongoing research and the first products on e-textiles under commercial development, this paper presents the most performing EAP based devices developed by our lab and other research groups for sensing, actuation, electronics and energy generation/storage, with reference to their already-demonstrated or potential applicability to electronic textiles.