SMART TEXTILES

S. Prasanna   I Year., B.Tech Textile Technology  K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology 

Tiruchengode – 637 215.

Future textiles are fabrics that have been expanded with new technologies that afford added value to the weavers. They include,

i)                   Communication

ii)                 Transformation

iii)               Conducting energy

There are two types of smart textiles:

i)                   Aesthetic

ii)                 Performance enhancing

Aesthetic Textiles includes fabrics that change colour according to the temperature or environmental conditions.

Performance Enhancing Fabrics:

They include fabrics that may be suitable for extreme conditions of the sports and Military Industries.

They control or regulate body temperature, reduce wind resistance to improve athletic performance.

They protect human body from environmental hazards like radiation, toxic gases etc.

They also reduce the harmful effect of space travel. They also release chemical components like moisturizer and perfumes to the fabrics.

Future Textiles are mainly based on Fibretronics.

Fibretronics

The construction of electronic capabilities on Textile fibres by the use of conductive textiles is called Fibretronics.

Conductive Textiles:

They can conduct electricity and they are covered with carbon coating to prevent the electric shock to humans.

Economic Boom:

Smart Textiles will create an Industrial Revolution in fashion, military and sports industries.

Economists say that smart textile companies give over 130 billion Euros per month in the year 2025 which is more than the amount expected from computer industries.

Companies that may opt for smart textiles in the future generation may comprise sports and fashion industries like,

SPORTS                                                        FASHION

i)                   Adidas                                                         i)  Tommy Hilfiger

ii)                 Nike                                                            ii) Christian Dior

            iii)       Reebok                                                             iii) Levis 

Applications:

i)                   Military

An average weight, a soldier carries during war is 5o Kg; it includes,

i)                   GPS Tracker                      ii) A battery

iii)       Body armour                    iv) High vision Kit    etc.

By the use of smart textiles, the weight has been reduced to 70% by using solar panel instead of batteries. This type of uniform is called BAE.

i)                   Medicine    

The wearer has many sensors in the garment which notes all the functions of our body.

The garments protect us from UV radiation; they act as anti-bacterial component and can self-repair.

The main use of Medical textile is protection of human beings and safety for human beings-they are bio-degradable. [Non-pollutant]

         

                                                                   

i)                   Sports

In the sports garments, they enhance the comfort, athletic performance, weight and the water resistant quality of the fabric.

i)                   Fashion

In the Fashion fabric, LED lights are embedded and in the fabric for entertainment, they are fitted with sensors for comfortable fitness.

Conclusion:

Smart textiles have revolutionized the very concept of ‘Apparel designing’. So, next time when you hear people say, ‘Appearances are deceptive’ or ‘Apparel oft proclaims the man’, ponder over the wisdom that is clothed within those aphorisms. 

            

This is Prasanna from I year B.Tech Textiles signing off with the above points to ponder...