Textiles revolution

In the next decades, we will see a shirt that act as a mini-computer, embedded with electronic devices which can harness power via solar process to recharge cell-phone, laptop, mp3 player,besides sensors to measure heart beat, respiratory patterns, temperature, posture, breathing rate and electrocardiogram, and added with other functionalities like no-cease, no fade, no shrink, etc. This dream come so closer to us now. It's not something weird anymore. Here I will quote a few developments in textiles industry which was successful produced.

1. Smart Fabrics Monitor Physiological Signs

Credit : Zephyr

This an innovative product was invented by the Zephyr Company, which has developed advanced fabrics that can monitor physilogical signs. The sensors that are woven into a person's clothes and can gather and transmit real-time physiological data, such as vital signs or other biomechanical information. Combining wireless connectivity and graphical diagnostic tools, Zephyr developed flexible sensors that are capable of detecting and measuring displacement, distance, force, strain and various other relevant data. The information can either be stored or immediately transferred to a nearby computer for analysis. Its can be worn around the chest.

There are 3 more products revealed by Zephyr company, i.e Impact SF- "a system which can detect and quantify impact", ShoePod- "measures ground reaction forces and ShoePod Diabetic- "detects those conditions that lead to foot ulceration, delivering sufficiently advanced warning to enable the prevention of the ulcer and the possible subsequent amputation".

More details click here.


2. Stretchable and Washable Electronic Devices

Everyone known that most of devices can't immerse into water. So, how we can grab a dream to come out with textiles embedded with a lot of devices and can be fling into washing machine. But now, it's not a problem anymore. A team of researchers from Gent University in Belgium led by Project Coordinator Jan Vanfleteren are currently developing in the framework of a project named SWEET (Stretchable and Washable Electronics for Embedding in Textiles). From their website, a few testing have demonstrated to show the ability of their devices operated in water and also can be used as stretchable thermometer. They also have develop a few stretchable materials like BioFlex which can be use for implant, stretchable watch, stretchable heater, stretchable waveguides and antennas and stretchable technology publications.

More details, click here.

3. Warming textiles

This technology maybe not so needed by a country like Malaysia, and maybe very appreciated at 4 seasons countries. This technology was developed by German company, WarmX, a line of clothing which includes tiny silver fibers are woven into the knitted fabric and supplied with electricity by a small rechargeable battery. The knitted fabric is warmed directly on the skin creating a warm feeling even the temperature outside is very low.

The WarmeX clothing can get wet and continue working, they can even be washed in low temperature in a washing machine without a problem. The undershirt is made from a mix of Polycrolon Microfibre, superfine merino wool, cotton and acrylic. The silver fibers woven into the knitted fabric reduce the spreading of bacteria and body odors.

The power unit includes a 2200mAh Li-Ion rechargeable battery which is good for between 2.5 and 5.5 hours (depending on the heating level used). A full recharge takes about three hours and although the battery cannot be replaced by the user it should be good for at least 500 recharge cycles.

More details, click here.

4. No-Contact Jacket

Lately, we always heard about a girl disturbed by unscrupulous people. And, this technology invented specially for women that repels an assailant trying to grab the wearer with a powerful but non-lethal 80,000 volt shock while it's active. The jacket insulation protects the wearer from the delivered electrical charge, which causes the assailant to experience a painful, uncomfortable shock, disorientation, and loss of balance, enabling the woman to escape.

The inner layer of the jacket is made with a conductive fiber powered by a 9-volt battery, which builds a high-voltage but low-amp charge through a series of step-up circuits, much like the technology used in commercial stun guns. The wearer must arm the jacket to activate it by turning a small lock on an outer sleeve using a key, and then charge it by pressing a button, held in the palm, attached by a cord to the inside of one of the sleeves.

It's not available to purchase yet, but according to their website, its predicted to be sell around AS 1000.

More details, click here.

5. Lights Clothes.

Philips has developed Lumalive, a light emitting textiles which build up by multi-colored light-emitting diodes (LEDs) integrated into fabrics without compromising the softness of the cloth. it's run using rechargeable battery for 3 to 4 hours on one charge, and whole system including batteries and electronics, need to remove when to wash.

More details, click here.