Summary and Outlook

Abstract

In this book, we presented a class of devices in a wire format including fiber-shaped photovoltaic devices, fiber-shaped energy storage devices, and fiber-shaped integrated devices. We also introduced the energy textiles as a demonstration to the application of fiber-shaped devices. As wearable devices become a buzzword in our daily language, energy devices pertaining to portable, flexible, and wearable electronics have been regarded as the state-of-the-art technologies. As the traditional planar devices lose their lure, an upsurge in interest has painted an encouraging picture of the fiber-shaped devices. Technically, fiber-shaped devices are derived from their planar counterparts and share the similar mechanisms, but are differentiated by the fiber electrodes. The fiber electrode plays a pivotal role in fiber-shaped devices. Tracing the development of fiber-shaped devices, it is not hard to understand that the revolution in fiber electrode always triggers the update of performance. In this book, we particularly highlight many fiber-shaped devices based on a novel fiber comprising aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The CNT fiber is endowed with many merits, making it overweigh other competitors. Edging ahead of its rivals, the CNT fiber-based electrode still dominates in the field of the high-performance fiber-shaped devices, and its derivative electrode still provides a strong impetus to the innovation of devices. Here, in the last chapter, we will end our discussion in fiber-shaped devices by praising advantages, envisaging applications, and then presenting challenges.