Date of Award
2021
Document Type
Open Access Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MS)
Administrative Home Department
Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Advisor 1
Sarah (Ye) Sun
Committee Member 1
Joshua Pearce
Committee Member 2
Radheshyam Tewari
Committee Member 3
Erik Herbert
Abstract
This thesis is focused on advancing embroidered wearable electronics and textile electronics by creating open-source flexible resistors. Advancements in textile electronics could usher a new generation of smart devices that are entirely flexible. Current systems on cloth primarily use rigid components, which limits the flexibility and comfort of using the fabric devices. To advance this field, I propose a novel method of creating flexible electrical resistors with embroidery. To realize this technology, I created an open-source tool to create embroidery files for machine fabrication. This thesis details the methods and tools created for resistor fabrication. The resistors were tested to cover a range of conditions wearable electronic devices may be subjected to, then tested in an applied setting by being used in a touch sensing device. It is concluded that the embroidered resistors are a viable technology and warrant continued study, development, and use.
Recommended Citation
Schrock, Somerset, "TOWARDS SYSTEMS ON CLOTH: THE DESIGN, MANUFACTURING, AND VALIDATION OF OPEN-SOURCE EMBROIDERED RESISTORS", Open Access Master's Thesis, Michigan Technological University, 2021.