In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of determining an angular motion in a subject. The method generally includes one or more of the following steps of: (1) applying a wearable system to a body region of the subject; (2) utilizing the wearable system to sense one or more parameters; and (3) correlating the one or more parameters to the angular motion in the subject. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a wearable system for determining angular motion in a subject. Generally, the wearable sensor includes one or more fabrics for sensing one or more parameters of a body region of a subject.

Graphene fibers made from a graphene film formed into an elongated fiber-like shape and composite materials made from the graphene fibers. The graphene film has amine groups formed on at least an outer surface of the graphene film and epoxide groups formed on at least one edge of the graphene film. The amine groups are formed in a functionalized area on the outer surface of the graphene film that is within about 10 microns from the at least one edge of the graphene film, or the functionalized area may extend the entire width of the graphene film. The graphene film may also have holes formed through the graphene film. The elongated fiber-like shapes may be the graphene film in a rolled spiral orientation or the graphene film in a twisted formation.

Graphene fibers made from a graphene film formed into an elongated fiber-like shape and composite materials made from the graphene fibers. The graphene film has amine groups formed on at least an outer surface of the graphene film and epoxide groups formed on at least one edge of the graphene film. The amine groups are formed in a functionalized area on the outer surface of the graphene film that is within about 10 microns from the at least one edge of the graphene film, or the functionalized area may extend the entire width of the graphene film. The graphene film may also have holes formed through the graphene film. The elongated fiber-like shapes may be the graphene film in a rolled spiral orientation or the graphene film in a twisted formation.

Provided is a strand extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the strand includes filaments of one type having a gradient-length effect through spiral rotational twists and an irregular fine texture through self-thermal shrinking. The filaments of the strand have natural coiling characteristics that are very similar to those of natural hair of black people, and these characteristics are caused by the facts that the filaments have 3-dimensional waveforms occurred due to many fine and irregular windings or projections and that the waveforms exhibit fractal structure features and a fine kinky texture.

A method of generating a coiled actuator fiber that includes twisting a fiber to generate a twisted fiber; wrapping the twisted fiber around a core yarn or fiber to generate a coil in the twisted fiber, which generates a coiled twisted fiber; setting the coiled twisted fiber by heat or chemical treatment; and removing at least a portion of the core yarn or fiber to generate a coiled actuator fiber.

A method of generating a coiled actuator fiber that includes twisting a fiber to generate a twisted fiber; wrapping the twisted fiber around a core yarn or fiber to generate a coil in the twisted fiber, which generates a coiled twisted fiber; setting the coiled twisted fiber by heat or chemical treatment; and removing at least a portion of the core yarn or fiber to generate a coiled actuator fiber.

A method of making a carbon nanotube composite yarn, the method including growing floating carbon nanotubes in a reactor, forming a mat of carbon nanotubes from the floating carbon nanotubes, a deposition step including depositing secondary particles on at least a portion of the mat of carbon nanotubes to provide a carbon nanotube composite mat, and a densification step including densifying the carbon nanotube composite mat to provide a carbon nanotube composite yarn.

A method of making a carbon nanotube composite yarn, the method including growing floating carbon nanotubes in a reactor, forming a mat of carbon nanotubes from the floating carbon nanotubes, a deposition step including depositing secondary particles on at least a portion of the mat of carbon nanotubes to provide a carbon nanotube composite mat, and a densification step including densifying the carbon nanotube composite mat to provide a carbon nanotube composite yarn.

Nerve scaffolds are described that include a tubular outer housing fabricated from a biocompatible polymer, within which are disposed a plurality of carbon nanofiber yarns. The carbon nanofiber yarns, which can be separated by distances roughly corresponding to an average nerve fiber diameter, provide surfaces on which nerve fibers can regrow. Because the proximate carbon nanofiber yarns can support individual nerve fibers, a nerve can be regenerated with a reduced likelihood of undesirable outcomes, such as nerve pain or reduced nerve function.

Nerve scaffolds are described that include a tubular outer housing fabricated from a biocompatible polymer, within which are disposed a plurality of carbon nanofiber yarns. The carbon nanofiber yarns, which can be separated by distances roughly corresponding to an average nerve fiber diameter, provide surfaces on which nerve fibers can regrow. Because the proximate carbon nanofiber yarns can support individual nerve fibers, a nerve can be regenerated with a reduced likelihood of undesirable outcomes, such as nerve pain or reduced nerve function.