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  4. Soft Multi-Material Magnetic Fibers and Textiles with Integrated Sensing for Assisting Rehabilitation and Soft Orthoses<sup>*</sup>
 
conference paper

Soft Multi-Material Magnetic Fibers and Textiles with Integrated Sensing for Assisting Rehabilitation and Soft Orthoses*

Banerjee, Hritwick  
•
Hammoumi, Abir  
•
Baudino, Costanza  
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April 22, 2025
2025 IEEE 8th International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft)
2025 IEEE 8th International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft)

Soft mechanical sensors and actuators have revolutionized fields such as health monitoring, human-machine interaction, and soft robotics. However, existing fabrication methods, including 3D printing, molding and casting, lithography, and particle flow spinning, face challenges in producing highly integrated architectures, achieving multi-functionality, and often result in low aspect ratios. In this paper, we introduce thermal drawing as a materials and processing platform to develop advanced soft, multi-material magnetic fibers with an aspect ratio of 105 and integrated sensing capabilities. Through the thermal drawing process, we co-draw conductive nanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or carbon-loaded polyethylene (CPE) nanocomposites within a thermoplastic elastomer matrix, creating robust, stretchable, and electrically responsive fibers. Magnetic actuators further enhance these fibers, forming a multifunctional system capable of real-time sensing and actuation. We incorporate YOLOv8-based computer vision algorithms to dynamically monitor fiber deformations, including bending, stretching, and compression. The piezoresistive nanocomposites provide a feedback mechanism that enables adaptive responses to mechanical stimuli. These fibers exhibit high sensitivity and mechanical stability under various loading conditions, and rheological analysis confirms the suitability of piezoresistive nanocomposites for thermal drawing. Additionally, fibers can be magnetized in different orientations and woven into fabrics capable of applying forces of up to 7 N using a 5 cm x 5 cm hybrid magnetic textile patch attached to a phantom human hand. These hybrid textiles are programmable for shape morphing, can withstand extreme deformation, and are machine washable. This scalable system presents significant potential for dynamic applications, particularly in the next generation of magnetic medical textiles for rehabilitation and soft orthoses, offering targeted support for joint injuries and controlled force or pressure application.

  • Details
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Type
conference paper
DOI
10.1109/robosoft63089.2025.11020888
Author(s)
Banerjee, Hritwick  

EPFL

Hammoumi, Abir  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Baudino, Costanza  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Borot, Marion  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Corcelle, Jehan  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Laperrousaz, Stella  

EPFL

Sorin, Fabien  

EPFL

Date Issued

2025-04-22

Publisher

IEEE

Published in
2025 IEEE 8th International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft)
DOI of the book
10.1109/RoboSoft63089.2025
Start page

1

End page

6

Subjects

Optical fiber sensors

•

Actuators

•

Deformation

•

Nanocomposites

•

Soft robotics

•

Robot sensing systems

•

Soft magnetic materials

•

Thermal stability

•

Piezoresistance

•

Monitoring

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
FIMAP  
Event nameEvent acronymEvent placeEvent date
2025 IEEE 8th International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft)

Lausanne, Switzerland

2025-04-22 - 2025-04-26

FunderFunding(s)Grant NumberGrant URL

Swiss National Science Foundation

Highly integrated soft fibers for advanced sensing and actuation

204579

https://data.snf.ch/grants/grant/204579
Available on Infoscience
June 6, 2025
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/251113
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