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The next generation of garments is sensorized, and therefore requires an adapted wireless communication tool such as a textile antenna. However, when integrating this flexible antenna into clothing, stable and reliable functioning in the operating frequency range is required. Climatic changes, especially altering relative humidity, might influence the textile antenna performance. This effect has to be taken into consideration when selecting the textile materials that comprise the antenna. A variety of antenna substrate materials has been investigated in this paper. It was found that antennas based on materials with a small moisture regain (less than 3 %) provided a more stable antenna characteristic, and can therefore preferably be applied as antenna substrate.

The conductive polymer complex poly (3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is the most explored conductive polymer for conductive textiles applications. Since PEDOT:PSS is readily available in water dispersion form, it is convenient for roll-to-roll processing which is compatible with the current textile processing applications. In this work, we have made a comprehensive review on the PEDOT:PSS-based conductive textiles, methods of application onto textiles and their applications. The conductivity of PEDOT:PSS can be enhanced by several orders of magnitude using processing agents. However, neat PEDOT:PSS lacks flexibility and strechability for wearable electronics applications. One way to improve the mechanical flexibility of conductive polymers is making a composite with commodity polymers such as polyurethane which have high flexibility and stretchability. The conductive polymer composites also increase attachment of the conductive polymer to the textile, thereby increasing durability to washing and mechanical actions. Pure PEDOT:PSS conductive fibers have been produced by solution spinning or electrospinning methods. Application of PEDOT:PSS can be carried out by polymerization of the monomer on the fabric, coating/dyeing and printing methods. PEDOT:PSS-based conductive textiles have been used for the development of sensors, actuators, antenna, interconnections, energy harvesting, and storage devices. In this review, the application methods of PEDOT:SS-based conductive polymers in/on to a textile substrate structure and their application thereof are discussed.

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After technical textiles and functional textiles, smart textiles came into force a few years back. The term “smart textiles” covers a broad range. The application possibilities are only limited by our imagination and creativity. Hence it is not simple for the readers of the many articles that have been published to distinguish where reality ends and where fiction begins. In this paper, it is further explored what smart textiles precisely mean. In a second part, an analysis is made of the possibilities, the state of affairs and the need for further research, including research in the Department of Textiles at the Ghent University (Belgium).

Porous scaffolds can be made out of silkworm and spider silk for cartilage regeneration. Mechanical properties are related to porosity and pore size of the construct. Cell spreading and cell expression depended on the porosity and pore-size.