Abstract
AbstractSmart textiles have been around for some decades. Even if interactivity is central to most definitions, the emphasis so far has been on the stimuli/input side, comparatively little has been reported on the responsive/output part. This study discusses the actuating, mechanical, output side in what could be called a second generation of smart textiles—this in contrast to a first generation of smart textiles devoted to sensorics. This mini review looks at recent progress within the area of soft actuators and what from there that is of relevance for smart textiles. It is found that typically still forces exerted are small, so are strains for many of the actuators types (such as electroactive polymers) that could be considered for textile integration. On the other side, it is argued that for many classes of soft actuators—and, in the extension, soft robotics—textiles could play an important role. The potential of weaving for stress and knitting for strain amplification is shown. Textile processing enables effective production, as is analyzed. Textile systems are made showing automatic actuation asked for in stand‐alone solutions. It is envisioned that soft exoskeletons could be an achievable goal for this second generation of smart textiles.
Highlights
The fabrication of textiles was early out to be automatized
Focus is here on mechanical, actuating, output. In this mini review we look at recent progress within the area of soft actuators and what from there that is of relevance for smart textiles
All of the actuator types based on the change mechanism (CM) of a) change in order, b) thermal change in volume, c) absorbing change in volume, and d) change in distance are having aspect ratios that often are high which is compatible with textile fiber shapes
Summary
The fabrication of textiles was early out to be automatized. The first steps were taken by the introduction of the flying shuttle in 1733 by John Kay [1] and James Hargreaves’ Spinning Jenny [2] from 1764. This fabric operated by the swelling ability of cotton yarn hindering water to penetrate beyond the amount used for the very swelling It was not until the 1980s that textiles – especially garments – were “discovered” as a potential arena for enrichment by other kinds of technologies such as sensorics for measuring the wearer as well as monitoring the surrounding. This “(re)discovery” of textiles as an interesting field for new technical developments is in parallel with the “(re)discovery” of paper, which, started later moved at a faster pace and were printed electronics[12], paper electronics[13], or smart papers[14] have emerged as branches on their own Both textiles and papers are polymeric, fiber-based, cheap, pliable, flexible, large area (semi) 2- dimensional materials that take part in every-day activities of humans and by this being ubiquitous ever-present. Issues with some of the actuator types are identified and we show by two examples how the problem of nonautomatic devices can be addressed by textile lamination processing and how the low force and low strain issues can be handled by weaving and knitting, respectively
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