Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

The pace of technological innovation only seems to increase as the years go by. By and large, this is a good thing. We have faster, smaller, and more efficient computers, phones, and everything in between as a result. But the downside of this rapid pace of progress is that the devices we buy seem to be obsolete almost as soon as we take them out of their boxes. And frequent upgrades mean that an awful lot of electronics — and the toxic chemicals contained within them — wind up in landfills.

We may forget about these old electronics soon enough, but being out of sight and mind does not put a stop to the negative environmental impacts associated with disposing of them. The chemicals that leach out of them may linger in the environment for many years to come. More eco-friendly electronics may be on the way, however, thanks to the work of a team at the Seoul National University in Korea. They have developed biodegradable and mass-producible conductive fibers that are well-suited for use in wearable electronics.

Their new fiber technology combines tungsten microparticles with a biodegradable polymer called poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). The result is a highly conductive core that is both mechanically durable and capable of fully decomposing after use. To enhance durability and add water resistance, the fibers are coated with a polyanhydride (PBTPA) layer, which does not compromise biodegradability.

Tests showed that the fibers can stretch up to 38% without failure and maintain high electrical conductivity across more than 10 meters in length. Furthermore, they can endure over 20 laundering cycles and survive 5,000 bending motions with minimal loss of function. This level of performance is on par with, or better than, the conventional electronic textile materials that currently dominate the market.

Using a scalable manufacturing method known as dry-jet wet-spinning, the researchers produced the fibers continuously, showing that the material is viable for mass production. To demonstrate real-world utility, the team integrated the fibers into a smart wearable sleeve that included a temperature sensor, electromyography electrodes, and a wireless power coil. The device functioned reliably under real-world conditions and environmental stress.

When exposed to enzyme-rich environments or buried in soil, the fibers begin to break down, ultimately disappearing without leaving behind any toxic residues. The team validated this process with an entire wearable device, including embroidered logos made from the same material. It was found to degrade completely within a matter of months.

Looking ahead, the team hopes to develop fiber-based memory and logic components, and even triggerable degradation methods that activate under specific conditions (such as changes in light or pH levels). If successful, these advances could make the technology far more useful in building electronics designed with both performance and the environment in mind.