Advances in Technology: Smart Textiles

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Advances in Technology Smart Engineered
Textiles

• Jose A. Gonzalez
• Protective Clothing Research Group
• Department of Human Ecology
• University of Alberta

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Backstrap-weaving
Cotton hand-picking
Hand spinning
They have come a long way!
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Where would you like to go today?
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Content

• New paradigm
• Textiles materials for every need
• Engineered textile solutions
• Smart technology
• Implications for research
• What lies ahead?

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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!

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• Solid foundations of scientific understanding
  have been laid to guide the improved usage and
  processing technology of natural fibers and the
  manufacturing of synthetic fibers

• The technology has progressed so that
  manufactured fibers and their products surpass
  natural fibers in many aspects
• Textiles can now be designed for specialized
  applications
• Biological routes for synthesizing polymers or
  textile processing represent an environmentally
  friendly, sustainable way of utilizing natural
  resources

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Textiles Materials for Every Need

• Optimized moisture management
• Better heat flow control
• Improved thermal insulation
• Breathability
• High performance in hazard protection
• Environmental friendly

• Increased abrasion resistance
• Health control and healing aid
• Body control
• Easy care
• High aesthetic appeal
• Enhanced handle
• High/low visibility

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Engineered/Smart Textile Materials
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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.

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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

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• Smart/interactive textiles (SIT) are materials
  and structures that sense and react to
  environmental conditions or stimuli, such as
  those from mechanical, thermal, chemical,
  electrical, magnetic or other sources.

• SIT are no longer a science-fiction fantasy. For
  example, there are in the market self-cleaning
  carpets, memory-shaped and environment-responsive
  textiles, and anti-insomniac micro-fibers.

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• According to the manner of reaction, SIT can be
  divided into

• Passive smart materials, which can only sense the
  environmental condition or stimuli,
• Active smart materials, which sense and react to
  the condition or stimuli,
• Very smart materials, which can sense, react and
  adapt themselves accordingly, and
• Intelligent materials, which are those capable of
  responding or activated to perform a function in
  a manual or pre-programmed manner
• How does a smart material work?

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Trigger or Stimuli
The sensors provide a nerve system to detect
signals
Sensing
CONTROLLING
The processor analyzes and evaluates the signals
Processing
The actuators act upon the detected and evaluated
signal either directly or from a central control
unit
Response or Action
Actuation
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Areas of R D

• For sensors - actuators
• photo-sensitive materials
• fibre optics
• conductive polymers
• thermal sensitive materials
• shape memory materials
• intelligent coating materials
• chemical responsive materials
• micro-capsules
• micro- and nano-materials

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Areas of R D (2)

• For signal transmission, processing and control
• neural networks and control systems
• cognition theory and systems
• For integrated processes and products
• wearable electronics and photonics
• adaptive and responsive structures
• bio-mimics
• tissue engineering
• chemical/drug releasing

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Fiber Focus
Today, the focus is on specialty products
engineered for specific end-uses and on creative
ways to market these products
Lastol, a new comfort stretch fiber is blended in
cotton shirts and blouses, garment-washed denims,
casual shirts, etc. for improved processing
efficiencies with cotton feel and easy care
Microdenier nylons are soft and sumptuous with a
dull matte appearance for a natural look
Copper fibers have anti-inflammatory,
anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. Copper
is gradually absorbed upon direct contact with
the skin, improves blood circulation, increases
energy and has anti-arthritic properties
HolofiberTM is a responsive textile that works
with the bodys energy system to increase oxygen
levels, accelerate muscle recovery and build
strength in the body
Copolymers of polyester provide fabrics with a
soft hand, dimensional stability, moisture
transportability, ease of dyeing and colorfastness
A textured yarn can achieve multicolor effects in
one dye bath. It is a combination of two modified
nylons 6,6. One nylon only accepts acid dyes and
rejects cationic ones the other one acts the
opposite way
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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.
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Thermal PerformanceEnhancing Fabric
Hydroweave provides extraordinary protection
against heat, actively cooling the wearer through
evaporation, and helping to maintain the core
body temperature in high-heat environments
It is a three-layer design that combines special
hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers into a fibrous
batting core. The batting is sandwiched between a
breathable outer shell fabric and a thermally
conductive, inner lining
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Flash Dried Fabrics
3XDRY finishing technology was developed to
provide a treatment that retains water resistance
on the face of a fabric and increases wicking on
the back. The two functions are truly separated
within the fabric, which remains highly
breathable. 3XDRY uses a special process to
apply a hydrophilic finish on the back that wicks
perspiration away from the body, spreading it
over the fabric, and evaporating it quickly on
the face. It also has a hydrophobic finish that
repels water and dirt. The fabric dries six to
eight times faster than untreated fabric. 3XDRY
also incorporates a hygienic treatment to control
odor.
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Protective Flex
The new smart response fiber is proving to
enhance passenger safety because of its unique
energy-management properties.
Securus is the first in a new category of
polyester copolymer fibers being developed for
managed-load applications. It combines
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which provides
restraining properties, and polycaprolactone
(PCL), which provides flexibility and cushioning
During a collision, Securus fiber seat belts
protect the passenger in a three-step process
holding the passenger securely in place
elongating and cushioning the body as it absorbs
the energy of its forward motion and restraining
and limiting that motion.
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Thermal Sensitivity
SmartSkin hydrogel is a new technology involving
a hydrophilic/hydrophobic copolymer, which is
embedded in an open-cell foam layer bonded to the
inside of a closed-cell neoprene layer in a
composite wet suit fabric with nylon or
nylon/Lycra outer and inner layers.
SmartSkin absorbs cold water that has flushed
into the suit and expands to close openings at
the hands, feet and neck, preventing more water
from entering. Water trapped inside the suit
heats up upon body contact. If the water warms up
past a transition temperature determined by the
proportion of hydrophilic to hydrophobic
components, the hydrogel releases water and
contracts, allowing more water to flush through
the suit. This passive system constantly
regulates the internal temperature no batteries
or mechanical action are needed.
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Phase Change Materials
Outlast temperature-regulating technology
effectively recycles body heat, keeping the
wearers skin temperature within a comfortable
range.
Outlast was first developed for use in astronaut
uniforms and as a protection for instruments
against the severe temperature changes in outer
space. The technology is now used in apparel,
footwear, equipment and linens.
Outlast is a paraffin wax compound that is
micro-encapsulated into thousands of miniscule,
impenetrable, hard shells. It recycles body heat
by absorbing, storing, distributing and releasing
heat on a continuous basis, keeping the wearers
skin temperature within a comfortable range.
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Nano Technology

• Nano-particles are permanently attached to cotton
  or synthetic fibers. The change occurs at the
  molecular level, and the particles can be
  configured to imbue the fabric with various
  attributes. Nano-technology combines the
  performance characteristics associated with
  synthetics with the hand and feel of cotton

• Nano-fibers 1/1000 the size of a typical cotton
  fiber are attached to the individual fibers. The
  changes to the fibers are undetectable and do not
  affect the natural hand and breathability of the
  fabric

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Wearable Technology
Clothing is currently supposed to have more
functions than just certain climatic protection
and good look. These functions can be referred to
wearing and durability properties.
A revolutionary new property of clothing is to
exchange information.Clothing is now capable of
recording, analyzing, storing, sending and
displaying data, which is a new dimension if
intelligent systems. Clothing can extend the
users senses, augment the view of reality and
provide useful information anytime and anywhere
the user goes.

• Application fields are
• Working displaying helpful data, connecting to
  the internet or to other people
• Medicine monitoring health parameters
• Security detecting danger, calling for help

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Microbes Begone!
An anti-microbial technology has been developed
by which it embeds AgION, a silver-based
inorganic zeolite, in a solution-dyed polyester
Fossfibre bicomponent fiber. Fossfibre with
AgION is suitable for all textile applications in
which anti-microbial protection is desired.
The bicomponent fibers in Fossfibre are specially
designed so that AgION is found only on the
sheath, providing controlled release for optimum
exposure to the destructive bacteria.
The silver ions from the ceramic compound are
released at a slow and steady rate. Ambient
moisture in the air causes low-level release that
effectively maintains an anti-microbial surface.
As the humidity increases and the environment
becomes ideal for bacteria growth, more silver is
released.
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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, additives or stand
alone fibers.
Varying the electrical or magnetic field changes
the optical properties of certain oligomeric and
molecular moieties by altering their absorption
coefficients in the visible spectrum as a result
of changes in their molecular structure.
The change in color is due to the absence of
specific wavelengths of light it varies due to
structural changes with the application of an
electromagnetic field.
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Tissue Engineering
Tissue engineering uses living cells and their
extracellular components with textile-based
biomaterial scaffolds to develop biological
tissues for human body repair. The scaffolds
provide support for cellular attachment and
subsequent controlled proliferation into
predefined tissue shapes.
Such an engineering approach would solve the
severe shortage problem associated with organ
transplants. Textile-based scaffolds have been
used for such tissue engineering purposes. The
most frequently used textile-based scaffolds are
non-woven structures, preferably of biodegradable
materials, because then there is no permanent
foreign-body tissue reaction toward the scaffolds
and, over time, there is more volume space into
which the engineered tissue can grow.
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Implications for Research

• Protective textile materials benefit from the
  development of a myriad of high-performance,
  thermal-stable fibers, and woven composites
  (passive systems)
• Protective clothing can greatly improve
  performance by adding smart/interactive features
• Smart thermal protective clothing
• Detection of vital signals
• Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Wireless, hands-free communication
• Cooling warming system
• Incorporated warning signaling

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Multi-layered woven structures can increase
thermal and fire protection by adding controlled
air gaps. They can be tailored to provide other
features such as an anti-static system, and
physiological comfort
In a structured layered system, smart features
may be added and supported by the matrix formed
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Detection of Vital Signals
Sensatex is developing a SmartShirt System
specifically for the protection of public safety
personnel, namely firefighters, police officers,
and rescue teams. Used in conjunction with a
wireless-enabled radio system, the SmartShirt
can monitor the health and safety of public
safety personnel/victims trapped in a building or
underneath rubble with the ability to detect the
exact location of victims through positioning
capability. In addition to monitoring vital
signs, the system can detect the extent of falls,
and the presence of hazardous gases it also
offers two-way voice communication
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Global Positioning System (GPS)
Textiles integrated with sensory devices driven
by a GPS can detect a users exact location
anytime and in any weather. Interactive
electronic textiles with integrated GPS enhance
safety by quickly locating the wearer and
allowing the suit to be heated. GPS can provide
added safety for firefighters and emergency
personnel by facilitating offsite monitoring of
vitals
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Wireless, hands-free communication
Fabric area networks (FANs) enable electronic
devices to exchange digital information, power,
and control signals within the users personal
space and remote locations. FANs use wireless RF
communication links using currents measuring one
nanoamp these currents can transmit data at
speed equivalent to a 2400-baud modem
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Cooling Warming System
A new high-tech vest has been developed to help
keep soldiers, firefighters, etc. alive in the
searing temperatures of deserts, mines and major
fires. The vest uses a personal cooling system
(PCS), which is based on heat pipe technology
which works by collecting body heat through vapor
filled cavities in a vest worn on the body. The
heat is then transferred via a flexible heat pipe
to the atmosphere with the help of an evaporative
cooling heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is
similar in principle to a bush fridge where a
cold cloth is put over a container and the
temperature drop caused by evaporation keeps the
food cool. It is designed to be worn by personnel
underneath NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical)
clothing, body armor and other protective
clothing.
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Warning Signaling
A combination of sensors and small flexible light
emitting displays (FLED) can receive and respond
to stimuli from the body, enabling a warning
signal to be displayed or sent. The sensors can
monitor EKG, heart rate, respiration,
temperature, and pulse oximetry readings. If
vital signals were below critical values, a FLED
would automatically display, for example, a
flashing red light, and a wireless communication
system could send a distress signal to a remote
location.
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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?

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• They should include tera and nano scale
  magnitudes, complexity, cognition and holism

• The new capability of tera scale takes us three
  orders of magnitude beyond the present
  general-purpose and generally accessible
  computing capabilities. The technology of nano
  scale takes us three orders of magnitude below
  the size of most of todays human-made devices
• It allows to arrange molecules inexpensively in
  most of the ways permitted by physical laws
• It lets make supercomputers that fit on the head
  of a fiber, and fleets of medical nano-robots
  smaller than a human cell to eliminate cancers,
  infections, clogged arteries

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• Fibers are relentlessly replacing traditional
  materials in many more applications. From
  super-absorbent diapers, to artificial organs, to
  construction materials for moon-based space
  stations

• Heat generating/storing fibers/fabrics are now
  being used in skiwear, shoes, helmets, etc
• Fabrics and composites integrated with optical
  fibers sensors are used to monitor bridges and
  buildings
• Garments integrated with sensors and motherboards
  can detect and transmit injury and health
  information of the wearer

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• Clothing with its own senses and brain are
  integrated with Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
  and mobile phone technology to provide the
  position of the wearer and directions

• Biological tissues and organs, like ears and
  noses, are grown from textile scaffolds made from
  bio-degradable fibers
• Integrated with nano-materials, textiles are
  imparted with very high energy absorption
  capacity and other functions such as stain
  proofing, abrasion resistance, light emission,
  etc.

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THE END
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