Biodegradable E-Textiles Monitor Health, Cut Waste

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Scientists created electronic textiles that naturally break down while tracking health signs like heart rate, helping solve the problem of 92 million tons of yearly clothing waste.

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The e-textiles use wood-based fabric and special graphene ink instead of metals, making them easier to dispose of after use.

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Tests on five volunteers showed these e-textiles could track health measurements at medical device industry standards, potentially benefiting 640 million people with heart problems.

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When buried in soil, the e-textiles showed 48% weight loss and 98% strength reduction in four months, proving their biodegradability.

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The new printing method for making these e-textiles uses less water and energy than old methods, and creates much less pollution than metal-based materials.

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Out of 53.6 million tons of electronic waste produced in 2019, only 17.4% was recycled, showing why these new e-textiles are needed.

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The smart e-textiles market is worth $4.3 billion but currently uses materials that stay in landfills for many years.

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Scaling production of e-textiles while keeping quality consistent remains a big challenge for manufacturers.

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More testing and regulatory approval are needed before these e-textiles can be sold, especially for tracking heart problems early.

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