Smart Textile Products Research Articles

An Exploration of Parents’ Preference for Young Children's Smart Textile Products

The topic of smart textiles has made substantial progress and garnered great interest. Nevertheless, studies are scarce regarding consumer attitudes and acceptability of these items. There is a lack of consumer studies specifically targeting the market for smart textiles designed for young children. This research seeks to close this disparity by investigating parents’ requirements and criteria when choosing smart fabrics intended for younger children. Surveys were administered to parents who had at least one child under the age of three. A nationwide sample was enlisted, yielding 267 valid responses. The results emphasized that safety is the most important factor for parents, regardless of their demographic characteristics. Parents who had previous exposure to smart textile items placed a higher emphasis on performance rather than pricing, in contrast to parents who did not have such exposure. The study additionally gathered and condensed product concepts and recommendations for subsequent product enhancement.

Investigation of Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile and Cellulose Acetate Smart Nanofibers Doped with Expanded Graphite for the Structure and Photothermal Effect

In this study, photothermal effect by doping expanded graphite (EG) to smart nanofibers produced by electrospinning method was investigated. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was exploited for chemical characterization. Thermal analysis experiments were carried out by heating and cooling curves. Surface morphology of the produced materials was investigated through scanning electron microscope (SEM). Contact angle was determined through contact angle measurement device. The appearance of the peak of the characteristic cyano group in the structure of Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) at 2237.02 cm-1 in the nanofibers having different percentages synthesized with EG and PAN was accepted as the evidence of PAN nanofibers formation. The temperature platforms in the heating/cooling curves exhibited that the temperature of the PAN and cellulose acetate (CA) nanofibers mixed with different EG percentage have higher than pristine nanofibers. The surfaces of the EG@PAN and EG@CA nanofibers were homogeneously distributed fibrous, excessive EG heterogeneously dispersed or electrosprayed in shape. The maximum contacts angles were measured as 67.96° and 52.88° for nanofibers synthesized with EG@CA and EG@PAN, respectively. As the result, the temperature of the nanofibers mixed EG at different percentages increased resulting from having the higher thermal conductivity of EG. Main goal of the study is both investigating photothermal effect in PAN and CA electrospun nanofibers doped with EG of activating heat accumulation property of the produced smart nanofibers for heat energy production from the solar. Thus, it will be possible to develop a new promising method in the production of the smart textile products that have the storage capacity of the solar energy.

Reactive eco-friendly dyeing of natural fabrics using a novel herbal composite containing extracts of Hemigraphis colorata and Bacopa monnieri

Terrestial herbs and aquatic herbs are of natural origin with significant medicinal properties. These properties were selected and aimed to provide antimicrobial and anti-odour activities after finishing with nine different fabric samples in the present study. Hemigraphis colorata and Bacopa monnieri are the two herbs selected and a novel herbal composite (HC1) was developed. Composite was finished onto fabric samples using Pad-dry cure process. Finished fabrics were subjected to antibacterial activity using standard EN ISO 20,645 test method against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. To prevent odour from physical activities, aromatic oil was finished onto fabric samples; followed by testing anti-odour activity using Swiss standard SNV 195,651. Test results of antibacterial activity of herbal composite (HC1) finished fabrics revealed good inhibitory action against both test bacteria. Aromatic efficiency of herbal composite finished fabrics showed significant aromatic efficiency. Statistical evaluation determined that there was no significant difference (p–1) between finished and control fabrics in terms of antibacterial activity and aroma. Results for the biocompatibility of the herbal composite finished fabrics revealed that the composite concentrations did not inhibit the growth of fibroblast cells; thus indicating the biocompatibility of the herbal composite finished fabric samples. The present study would be considered highly significant by providing an eco-friendly and sustainable products for developing medical textile products and smart home textile products.

Simulation techniques for smart textile predictive design

Smart textiles must combine both textile and electronic systems into one product. This presents challenges as each industry has their own design and evaluation standards that are not compatible with one another. As such, smart textile designers tend to rely heavily on the production and iteration of physical prototypes to create a product that meets the specified design criteria. One emerging tool in the apparel industry that has potential to shorten the prototyping cycle is 3D CAD for textiles, also known as 3D garment simulation. While typically used for apparel design and e-commerce, this work presents two case studies that demonstrate how 3D garment simulation can be used as a tool for predictive design of smart textile products. In particular, how strain-dependent properties such as resistance and contact pressure can be predicted and how designs can be optimized to achieve certain performance metrics.

Coating Machine Developed for Technical and Smart Textile Applications

In today's textile industry, besides products that appeal to fashion, functional technical and smart textile products obtained by integrating many technologies into clothing are in demand. Many functional properties such as antibacterial, heat and electrical conductivity can be applied to yarns and fabrics by production methods such as impregnation, exhaust, etc. However, the current yarn coating technology has disadvantages such as inability to make homogeneous coating with different chemicals and low coating durability. In this study, the coating process was carried out in a yarn coating machine, which was developed to allow one-wire coating from bobbin to bobbin, which is the first in the sector, and the effect of the coating method on the yarn properties was evaluated by examining the performance characteristics.

Study of the optimization of embroidery design parameters for the Technical Embroidery Machine: derivation of the correlation between thread consumption and electrical resistance

The smart textile industry has become increasingly interested in textile products with electronic functions. In these smart textile products, sensing and data communication are conducted through conductive circuits by conductive threads. In embroidery technology that uses conductive threads as the material for the conductive line as a circuit, their resistance is an important factor when designing a product. The main purpose of this study was to derive an equivalent circuit model and a calculation equation for the consumption of conductive threads according to the embroidery design parameters. The effects of the embroidery design parameters on the appearance and electrical characteristics of the conductive line were also analyzed. The appearance and electrical characteristics of the embroidered conductive line were different when the embroidery design parameters were not the same. The calculation equation for the consumption of conductive threads could establish a quantitative system that could indicate the line resistance of an embroidered conductive line using the embroidery design parameters and the given thread resistance.

Development of upholstery electro-fabric for smart textile applications

Smart textile products developed by evaluating the human body’s data through sensors have become widespread in recent years. The majority of these products include textile-based information and communication technologies that integrate electronic components into clothing. People use seats, chairs, armchairs, etc., to sit constantly in vehicles, work or at home. The use of these items varies according to the requirements and purposes. In this study, an electro-textile-based upholstery fabric design was carried out to be used in sitting furniture. Electronic components containing capacitive sensors were placed in the designed fabric structure to make it usable in different areas where upholstery fabrics are used. In addition, the sensor connection circuit was developed to receive data from the fabric surface. The data taken from the fabric surface were made meaningful using the calibration and normalization algorithm. The 3D pressing map of the reaction on the fabric surface for different sitting positions was drawn. Electromagnetic field and vibration tests were carried out to examine the response behaviour in different environments where the fabric can be used. According to the findings, it was observed that the pressing areas formed on the surface were displayed in a significant way over the 3D pressing map, and the system was not affected by the electromagnetic field and vibrations. Besides, the fabric was applied on the various surfaces to test calibration and threshold algorithm. Obtained results and circumstances showed that the designed calibration and threshold algorithm were successful to obtained significant results. As a result of the study, upholstery electro fabric with a response time of 0.01 seconds in data collection was developed, which can be used in different environments such as home, workplace and vehicle. It can be used over furniture and in wet and dry conditions and is not affected by the electromagnetic field and vibration in the environment.

Design and Production of Smart Wearable Textile Products Using Layered Manufacturing Technology with Photovoltaic Energy

Smart textiles are used in a wide range of areas, such as defense industry, security, medicine, health, aviation, space sciences, environment, energy, biotechnology, agriculture, food, cosmetics and fashion design. In this study, with the progress of technology in the area of the wearable smart textile industry, 3D manufacturing which has started to take place in the industry as a new manufacturing method or in other words layered manufacturing practices are discessed. For this purpose, a solar panel was placed in the 3D printed material obtained by FDM method, one of the layered manufacturing methods, and integrated into the textile material and to charge our electronic devices from photovoltaic energy was explained. It is aimed to produce, using the knowledge gained as a result of the study, smart textile products that facilitate human life with 3D printed materials obtained from filaments with conductive additive.

4D-Printing — Fused Deposition Modeling Printing and PolyJet Printing with Shape Memory Polymers Composite

The main objective of this paper is to use 4D printing method to design shape memory polymers (SMP) for developing smart textile and wearable products. SMPs are stimulating, responsive shape-changing polymers that can change its shape upon exposure to an external stimulus, such as light, temperature, chemicals, etc. In this paper, polyurethan SMP, which can change its shape as the temperature changes, was employed. We offer two methods for controlling the temperature of the specimen. The first method is to mix the conductive SWCNT into the SMP and the second method is to simultaneously print the SMP and a conductive material (Silver paste), the sample will be heated by applying an electric current to it. SMP pellets were processed to be suitable for each method for fabrication of two types of SMP and SMP/m-SWCNT arrays using an extrusion system, both of which were input materials for 3D deposition models (FDM). The samples printed using this system were compared and assessed. Herein, the comparisons of the materials, structures, processes, and the effectiveness of the methods are shown. The samples were compared to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each method, to form a basis on which a proper method for wearable products can be selected.

A project to improve awareness for cyber security in smart textile applications

The textile and clothing industry is facing structural changes and will enter into the interdisciplinary market of Smart Textiles. This market has a high market potential, but there is also plenty new challenges. That is why our project systematically investigates the integration and IT security of electronic communication systems in textile products. The main objectives are the scientific investigation of the area of IT security of smart textile products, the transfer of existing security concepts as well as the development of secur innovative prototypes. Based on the knowledge gained, guidelines for further action are deduced and courses for the textile and clothing industry will be created, ensuring an intensive multidisciplinary and cross- industry know-how transfer. This challenge is to be solved by an interdisciplinary team of scientists and companies from the fields of textile and clothing as well as information technology.

Fabrication of core-sheath nanoyarn via touchspinning and its application in wearable piezoelectric nanogenerator

A simple and versatile touchspinning method is demonstrated for the fabrication of core-sheath nanofibrous piezoelectric yarns with a single filament electroconductive core. The polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric nanofibers are fabricated in a continuous spinning process with relatively controlled structure, orientation, and dimensions to form a sheath layer. The PVDF core-sheath nanoyarn is assembled into a piezoelectric nanogenerator (PNG) capable to convert mechanical energy of body motion into electricity. It was demonstrated that an electrical potential difference of 0.72 V can be generated under compression of 0.33 MPa for a single 3-cm long yarn. The touchspun nanoyarn fabrication method has great potential for the fabrication of functional smart textile products.

Surface functionalization of Ag/polypyrrole-coated cotton fabric by in situ polymerization and magnetron sputtering

Flexible electronic devices have attracted considerable attention in recent years, and textile fabrics are usually used as the substrates because of their good moisture absorption performance and high flexibility. However, ordinary textile fabrics are electrically insulating, which limits their strain sensing sensitivity. In this study, cotton fabric endowed with high electrical conductivity was prepared by a two-step process of in situ polymerization and direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering. It was firstly modified with a continuous polypyrrole (PPy) thin film by using the in situ polymerization method and then coated with silver (Ag) thin film by using a DC magnetron sputtering system. The experimental results revealed that the resultant Ag/PPy-coated cotton deposited with a sputtering power of 200 W for 25 min has the highest electrical conductivity and its average sheet resistance is 11.7 Ω/sq. Moreover, the Ag/PPy-coated cotton exhibited the advantages of high hydrophobicity, thermal stability, electromechanical performance and washing fastness. Overall, the effective flexibility and high electrical conductivity of the Ag/PPy-coated cotton have been validated effectively and make it one of the promising candidates for preparing electromagnetic shielding and antistatic and smart wearable textile products, especially flexible electronic devices.

Photochromic textile materials

Smart textiles are the materials that can perceive and respond to the changes in environmental conditions. Photochromic textiles, one of the smart textile products, can reversibly change their color by UV irradiation. Photochromic textiles have become more attractive with the increasing interest in functional textile materials. In this paper, the applications of photochromic dyes in textile industry, the problems experienced in the processes and general information about the solution possibilities of these problems are given.

Recent Trends in Microencapsulation for Smart and Active Innovative Textile Products

Authors would like to acknowledge the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for financial support (Refs. MAT2014-59242-C2-2-R and MAT2014-55778-REDT).

4D printing – fused deposition modeling printing with thermal-responsive shape memory polymers

Shape memory polymers (SMPs), as stimuli-responsive shape-changing polymers, change their deformed shape to pre-determined one under external stimuli, such as temperature, chemicals, light, etc. This research as part of the project in which employs four-dimensional (4D) printing technology to develop smart textile and wearable products. It describes the 4D printing process of the SMPs and their carbon nanotube composites. More specifically, the process begins with the SMPs pellet treatment for making the filament as input material for fused deposition modeling (FDM) type three-dimensional (3D) printer, then printing and finally testing the printed objects. The printed objects effectively perform the characteristics of SMPs in experiments as presented. Based on the achieved results, this process could be easily adapted to other research that related to 4D printing using SMPs. More research is needed to implement the 4D printing technology for the project and low-cost and mass production further.

Conductive polymers for smart textile applications

Smart textiles are fabrics able to sense external conditions or stimuli, to respond and adapt behaviour to them in an intelligent way and present a challenge in several fields today such as health, sport, automotive and aerospace. Electrically conductive textiles include conductive fibres, yarns, fabrics, and final products made from them. Often they are prerequisite to functioning smart textiles, and their quality determines durability, launderability, reusability and fibrous performances of smart textiles. Important part in smart textiles development has conductive polymers which are defined as organic polymers able to conduct electricity. They combine some of the mechanical features of plastics with the electrical properties typical for metals. The most attractive in a group of these polymers are polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole (PPy) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) as one of the polythiophene (PTh) derivatives. Commercially available smart textile products where conductive polymers have crucial role for their development are medical textiles, protective clothing, touch screen displays, flexible fabric keyboards, and sensors for various areas. This paper is focused on conductive polymers description, mechanism of their conductivity, and various approaches to produce electrically conductive textiles for smart textiles needs. Commercial products of conductive polymers-based smart textiles are presented as well as the objective of a number of lab-scale items.

Smarten up garments through knitting

Smart textiles are a growing and fascinating field with enormous potential in the field of wearable electronics: shirts with integrated electrodes, socks stimulating the blood circulation or heating clothing are just a few examples of wearable, smart textile products. Most often, the technology of choice for on-the-body-worn smart textiles is knitting as it results in stretchable and, hence comfortable garments. This presentation explores the knitting technology in respect to smart textiles giving an overview of current research activities as well as commercially available products on the market. It further intends to foster the transfer of research approaches into business applications as well as to develop new challenging research ideas.

The Investigation of the Usage of Smart Textile Products in Different Sport Branches

Teknolojik arastirmalara paralel olarak her alanda oldugu gibi, tekstil alaninda da her gecen gun farkli fonksiyonel ozelliklere sahip tekstil urunlerinin ortaya ciktigi bilinmektedir. Akilli tekstiller yuksek katma deger ozellikleri ve ileri teknoloji kullanimina olanak vermeleri nedeniyle buyuk ilgi goren alanlarin basindadirlar. Akilli tekstil yapi ve urunleri olarak tanimlanan bu urunler ozellikle son yillarda farkli spor branslarinda kullanilmaktadirlar. Yapilan calismalar; spor tekstilleri olarak kullanilan farkli akilli tekstil urunlerinin sporcu performanslari ve ekipmanlara yaptigi katkilari ortaya cikartmaktadir. Bu calisma kapsaminda akilli tekstil urunlerinin farkli spor branslarinda kullanimi ve spor branslarinda mucadele eden sporcularin antrenman ile musabaka performanslarina etkileri incelenmistir. Ornek akilli tekstil yapilari ve urunleri ile farkli disiplinleri bir araya getiren calismalarin ozellikleri ve gelecegi ortaya cikartilmistir.

Functional Textile Preferences of Elderly People

Aging is an inevitable stage of lifetime bringing along physical and emotional deterioration. Rate of aging population in the world has been constantly rising with the contribution of technological improvements on life quality, and medical services. Depending on the unavoidable physical and emotional changes of aging human body, clothing preferences and needs become different then needs of other textile and clothing consumer groups. Textile and clothing products are one of the basic needs of human kind. Sufficient and appropriate clothing is especially important for life quality improvement at elderly stage of human life. New generation functional and smart textile and clothing products bring new opportunities to improve life quality of elderly people with such wide range products of mobility support clothing, medical help, hygiene, and health monitoring textile and clothing products. This survey based research work is aimed to search the awareness level and priority of society about the functional and smart textile products for elderly people. It has been found that gender difference has significant influence on preference level of functional textile products, where women has higher interest then men about functional textiles. It can also be stated that comfort properties are primarily preferred preferences comparing to the fashion and functionality properties of textile products. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n2s5p279

Developments in Health Care and Medical Textiles - A Mini Review-1

3 Abstract: This review intends to highlight the developments in medical and Health care textiles, current perspective and key challenges regarding the advancements of non-toxic and eco-friendly solutions for health care. This study provides an appraisal on the innovative, intelligent and smart textile products related to Health care and medical textiles. This review also intends to highlight the current state of the technologies as well as f uture advances and enhancements potential of new textile materials in antimicrobial, surgical sutures and wound dressings. A discussion on classificatio n of antimicrobial textiles, types of surgica l sutures and wounds management make this review interdisciplinary.