Science Daily December 11, 2023 Blending conductive fillers with cellulose is the most common means of fiber production. Incorporating a high content of conductive fillers is necessary to achieve desirable conductivity. However, a high filler load deteriorates the processability and mechanical properties of the fibers. Researchers at Washington State University developed wet-spun cellulose-based fibers with a unique side-by-side (SBS) structure via sustainable processing. They engineered sustainable sources (cotton linter and post-consumer cotton waste) and a biocompatible intrinsically conductive polymer (i.e., polyaniline, PANI) into fibers containing two co-continuous phases arranged side-by-side… read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Category Archives: Smart textiles
Shape-shifting fiber can produce morphing fabrics
MIT News October 26, 2023 A team of researcher in the US (MIT, Northeastern University) has developed programmable, actuating fiber they call FibeRobo which contracts in response to an increase in temperature, then self-reverses when the temperature decreases, without any embedded sensors or other hard components. Unlike other actuating threads explored in HCI FibeRobo exhibits rapid thermal self-reversing actuation with large displacements (∼40%) without twisting. A reproducible UV fiber drawing setup produces hundreds of meters of fiber with a sub-millimeter diameter, and FibeRobo is fully compatible with existing textile manufacturing machinery such as weaving looms, embroidery, and industrial knitting machines. […]
Reactive fabrics respond to changes in temperature
Science Daily February 21, 2023 Active fabrics, responding autonomously to environmental changes, are the “Holy Grail” of current development of smart textiles. Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) promise to be the base materials for large-stroke reversible actuation. The mechanical behavior of LCEs matches almost exactly the human muscle. Yet, it was not possible to produce filaments from LCEs that would be suitable for standard textile production methods. Based on their recent development of next-generation LCE fibers, an international team of researchers (Finland, UK) has developed a process for producing active fabrics incorporating LCE yarn, woven on a standard loom. Weave density […]
‘Smart’ coating can be precisely applied to make fabric into protective gear
Science Daily January 9, 2023 Previously a team of researchers in the US (Dartmouth University, Maine University, DEVCOM Aberdeen Proving Ground) had developed conductive metal-organic technology (framework) which was a simple coating that could be layered onto cotton and polyester to create smart fabrics. In their current work, instead of the simple coating they precisely embedded the framework into fabrics using a copper precursor that allowed them to create specific patterns and more effectively fill in the tiny gaps and holes between threads. They found that the framework technology effectively converted the toxin nitric oxide into nitrite and nitrate, and […]
Washable and recyclable solar cell-infused textiles
Nanowerk May 21, 2022 Researchers in Finland laminated a solar cell component between textiles in a water-tight polyurethane film to make the component machine-washable. The textiles containing the solar cell component were then washed dozens of times. Five of the eight samples retained their efficiency, and three lost about 20 percent of their power. None of the cells or the textiles were damaged during the process. They used textiles whose fibers were made of only a single material and thus could be recycled as efficiently as possible. Electronic components can be removed from the fabric simply by first applying heat […]
Innovative textile vents to release heat when you sweat
Phys.org December 15, 20212 Researchers at Duke University have developed and demonstrated a multimodal adaptive wearable with moisture-responsive flaps composed of a nylon/metal heterostructure, which can simultaneously regulate convection, sweat evaporation, and mid-infrared emission to accomplish large and rapid heat transfer tuning in response to human perspiration vapor. They showed that the metal layer not only plays a crucial role in low-emissivity radiative heating but also enhances the bimorph actuation performance. The multimodal adaptive mechanism expands the thermal comfort zone by 30.7 and 20.7% more than traditional static textiles and single-modal adaptive wearables without any electricity and energy input, making […]
New ‘Metafabric’ Passively Cools The Human Body by Almost 5 Degrees Celsius
Science Alert July 13, 2021 The metafabric developed by researchers in China uses titanium oxide-polylactic acid composite nanoparticles laminated with a thin layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It is designed to strongly reflect visible light (VIS), mid-infrared (MIR) and ultraviolet (UV) ranges. The wide distribution of nanoparticles, when combined with PTFE nanobeads, provides broad-spectrum scattering and reflectivity across the UV-VIS-NIR band. They tested the material in clear sky conditions measuring the temperature of the fabric in comparison to other common materials lying on a panel. Under peak solar irradiance between 11:00 and 15:00, the temperature of the metafabric was approximately 5.0°, […]
Mosquito-resistant clothing prevents bites in trials
Phys.org July 13, 2021 An international team of researchers (USA – North Carolina State University, Germany) has developed a mathematical model for fabric barriers that resist bites from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes based on textile physical structure and no insecticides. The model was derived from mosquito morphometrics and analysis of mosquito biting behavior. Woven filter fabrics, precision polypropylene plates, and knitted fabrics were used for model validation. Based on the model predictions, prototype knitted textiles and garments were developed that prevented mosquito biting, and comfort testing showed the garments to possess superior thermophysiological properties. The fabrics provided a three-times greater bite […]
New textile could keep you cool in the heat, warm in the cold
Phys.org April 1, 2020 Researchers in China freeze-spun silk and chitosan, a material from the hard outer skeleton of shellfish, into colored fibers with porous microstructures. They filled the pores with polyethylene glycol (PEG), a phase-changing polymer that absorbs and releases thermal energy. The threads were coated with polydimethylsiloxane to keep the liquid PEG from leaking out. The resulting fibers were strong, flexible, and water-repellent. To test the fibers, the researchers wove them into a patch of fabric and put inside a polyester glove. When a person wearing the glove placed their hand in a hot chamber (122°F), the solid […]