Biodegradable Fiber Electronics offers e-waste and fiber contamination solutions

The world produces more than 92 million tons of fiber waste each year, many of which are made from synthetic materials that remain for centuries. Plus, the surge and problems in wearable electronics (garments that include smartwatches, fitness trackers, and sensors) are doubled.

These electronic texts include not only fabrics, but metal wires, plastic substrates, adhesives, and circuits that are nearly impossible to recycle. As electronics become more intimate, wearable and disposable, questions become urgent.

Researchers at Seoul National University have taken an important step towards answering that question.

A team led by Professor Seung-Kyun Kang and Dr. Jae-Young Bae have developed a fully biodegradable, high-performance conductive fiber that integrates seamlessly into wearable electronics and can naturally decompose after use. This study was published in NPJ Flexible Electronics.

Unlike traditional e-textils that last in landfills, this new fiber system maintains performance during use, but disappears in enzyme-rich or soil environments and leaves no harmful residues behind.

The team’s innovation is combining tungsten microparticles with a biodegradable polymer known as poly(butylene adipate koterephthalate) (PBAT) to form conductive fibers. This core is coated with a flexible, water-resistant polyandride (PBTPA) layer that enhances mechanical stability without compromising biodegradability.

The fiber achieves an impressive electrical conductivity of about 2,500 seconds/m, extends to up to 38% without obstacles, and withstands more than 20 wash cycles and 5,000 bending events.

Importantly, this fiber is compatible with dry jet moisture spinning. This is a scalable process that allows teams to generate lengths over 10 meters in continuous running.

To verify actual applicability, the fiber was integrated into a wearable smart sleeve with temperature sensors, electromyographic (EMG) electrodes and wireless power coils. The device worked reliably under dynamic movement and environmental stress.

After use, the entire system containing the embroidered eco-related emblem will degrade when exposed to soil or enzymes and will completely collapse within a few months.

“This is not just a new material, it’s a sustainable electronics platform,” Professor Kang said. “We have shown that we can have a highly functional wearable device that doesn’t become e-waste after its useful life.”

Dr. Bae said, “The ability to design electronics that match the lifecycle of an application and then graciously disappear afterwards is the ability to unlock new possibilities such as medical patches, smart uniforms, environmental sensors, and more. We are particularly excited about the possibility of using them in disposable healthcare systems that do not contribute to long-term pollution.”

This study represents a rare confluence of biodegradability, mechanical performance, and mass-productivity. Going forward, the team aims to expand the platform to move towards a fully integrated, temporary electronic system and incorporate fiber-based memory and logic components.

They are also investigating “triggerable” degradation mechanisms that respond to light, heat, or pH, enabling programmable lifespans for future devices.