Admittedly, there are already smart textiles, but it has been a problem to obtain a pleasant texture that allows the fabrics to be used for clothing. But a new version of classic electrospinning can soon turn smart clothes into everyday garments!
Smart homes, smart gadgets and soon smart clothes too? An international research group is studying the possibilities of making this idea a reality. To succeed, they must produce a fabric that can conduct electricity and that in itself is no problem. But these fabrics are usually stiff or stiff and do not breathe very well. Sewing clothing of such material would result in uncomfortable clothing – not suitable for daily use.
What are smart textiles?
The idea is that smart textiles – and smart clothes – should be able to fulfill different functions and make our everyday life easier.
For example, imagine a winter overall where the surface is equipped with solar cells that can convert sunlight into heat. There are also plans for built-in sensors in fitness clothing and that they should be able to send information and statistics to the smartphone in the pocket or on the floor next to it.
The smart fabrics can also be used for other than clothing. Everything that contains fabric – such as car seats, seats in aircraft and chairs in restaurants can be equipped with similar materials can get a “smart” bump. This would allow anyone sitting there to recharge their devices without getting up. A pair of pants in the right material can charge the smartphone that is in your pocket.
New technology enables the clothes of the future
According to a study, an international research group has now found a way to produce electrically conductive textiles with better structure – which means they behave more like the ones we usually wear.
The quest to create a better smart fabric resulted in a special production process where it is possible to create a nonwoven material with a very good ability to conduct electricity – without compromising comfort. Usually, metal wires are added in finished fabric, but these researchers used instead a modified version of classical electrospinning – a technique that has been used to manufacture nonwovens for many years.
The process involves combining short electrospun polymer fibers with small silver strands in a liquid. The mixture is then filtered, dried and heated quickly before the new smart fabric can be produced. Sometimes it can pay to think backwards to come up with new, innovative ideas as a solution to problems.