25-04-2012, 11:27 AM
Smart and Engineered Textiles
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New Paradigm
Since the 19th Century, revolutionary changes have been occurring at an unprecedented rate in science and technology with a profound impact on our lives
Inventions of ICs, computers, the Internet, discovery and complete mapping of the human genome, and many more have transformed the entire world
We have also learnt a lot from nature!
Engineered Textiles
Engineered textiles are materials that are developed and/or designed for a special need or application where a very high performance is required
Engineered textiles may combine fabrics with glass, ceramics, metal, or carbon to produce lightweight hybrids with incredible properties. Sophisticated finishes, such as silicone coatings and holographic laminates, transform color, texture, and even form.
Smart Technology
We are inspired to mimic nature in order to create clothing materials with higher levels of functions and smartness
Cloning silk fibers was a first step
Can the skin -a smart material- be mimicked?
The skin has sensors that can detect pressure, pain, ambient conditions,etc. and can intelligently function with environmental stimuli
Reflective Technology
A technology has been created to convert proprietary materials into miniature reflectors that, when imbedded into fabric by the millions, reflect oncoming light, such as automobile headlights, in a way that illuminates the full silhouette of a person, bicycle or any other object.
The reflectors are smaller than a grain of sand and finer than a human hair. They can be imbedded into the weave of almost any fabric. The end result is a fabric that remains soft to the touch and retains its function and fashion. During the day, the treated fabrics are indistinguishable from untreated fabrics.
Bio-mimics
Fibers have been developed that can quickly change their color, hue, depth of shade or optical transparency by application of an electrical or magnetic field could have applications in coatings,
What Lies Ahead?
The range and variety of high performance textiles that have been developed to meet present and future requirements are now considerable
Textile materials are now combined, modified and tailored in ways far beyond the performance limit of fibers drawn from the silkworm cocoon, grown in the fields, or spun from the fleece of animals
And the future promises even more!
What new capacities should we expect as a result of future developments in smart/interactive textiles?