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This paper introduces a novel fabrication method for stretchable strain sensors directly embedded into garments by combining multi-material direct ink writing of a silicone-carbon grease-silicone stack with automated embroidery for mechanical fixation and electrical interfacing. The resulting hybrid sensor exhibits high stretchability (up to 120% strain), approximately linear behavior up to 60% strain, and a gauge factor of 31.4. Integrated into wearable elbow and knee sleeves, the sensor demonstrates a clear correlation between resistance change and joint bending angle, showcasing its potential for motion capture.
Forget rigid circuits - this new method seamlessly weaves stretchable sensors directly into clothing using a clever combo of 3D printing and embroidery.
The development of wearable sensing systems for sports performance tracking, rehabilitation, and injury prevention has driven growing demand for smart garments that combine comfort, durability, and accurate motion detection. This paper presents a textile-compatible fabrication workflow that integrates multi-material direct ink writing with automated embroidery to create stretchable strain sensors directly embedded into garments. The process combines sequential multi-material printing of a silicone-carbon grease-silicone stack with automated embroidery that provides both mechanical fixation and electrical interfacing in a single step. The resulting hybrid sensor demonstrates stretchability up to 120% strain while maintaining electrical continuity, with approximately linear behaviour up to 60% strain (R^2 = 0.99), a gauge factor of 31.4, and hysteresis of 22.9%. Repeated loading-unloading tests over 80 cycles show baseline and peak drift of 0.135% and 0.236% per cycle, respectively, indicating moderate cycle-to-cycle stability. Mechanical testing further confirms that the silicone-fabric interface remains intact under large deformation, with failure occurring in the textile rather than at the stitched boundary. As a preliminary proof of concept, the sensor was integrated into wearable elbow and knee sleeves for joint angle monitoring, showing a clear correlation between normalised resistance change and bending angle. By addressing both mechanical fixation and electrical interfacing through embroidery-based integration, this approach provides a reproducible and scalable pathway for incorporating printed stretchable electronics into textile systems for motion capture and soft robotic applications.
