An overview of smart technologies for clothing design and engineering

Abstract

PurposeThe paper aims to provide an overview of the area of smart textiles.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes and discusses new and developing materials and technologies used in the textile industries.FindingsSignificant progress has been achieved in the area of technical textiles. Fibres, yarns, fabrics and other structures with added‐value functionality have been successfully developed for technical and/or high performance end‐uses. The basic building blocks are already in place in the field of smart textiles and clothing.Practical implicationsAs progress in science and engineering research advances, and as the gap between designers and scientists narrows, the area of smart clothing is likely to keep on expanding for the foreseeable future. Growth is predicted to occur in two distinct directions: performance‐driven smart clothing and fashion‐driven smart clothing. There are challenges that have to be addressed.Originality/valueThe paper provides information of value to those interested in the future directions of the textile industry.

Low Cost Smart Stick for Blind and Partially Sighted People

“…In order to have precaution against the wet surface a Water sensor is located at the base of stick. When the Water sensor comes in contact of the wet surface its resistance changes and produced electrical signal which trigger the processor [11]. Immediately the processor will send a voice instruction for wet surface and at the same time it will enable the second buzzer for informing about presence of wet or muddy floor.…”

Review and Reappraisal of Smart Clothing

“…SMPs exhibit higher extensibility, superior processability, lower weight, and better hand and touch, compared with SMAs (Lam Po Tang & Stylios, 2006). Examples of SMPs include segmented polyurethane-based polymers, crosslinked poly(cyclooctene) and poly(lactic acid) and poly(vinylacetate) blends.…”

“…Shape memory materials are materials that are able to return to a prescribed shape with the right stimuli such as heat or an electrical current. A temperature change is normally used to stimulate shape memory materials, and the transformation is because of changes in its internal structure with temperature (Lam Po Tang & Stylios, 2006). The two most common forms of shape memory material are shape memory alloys (SMA) and shape memory polymers (SMP).…”

“…Conductivity in textiles is essential in accomplishing smart clothing technology because the degree of electrical conductivity makes them pathways for carrying electronic information or energy for a range of functions (Lam Po Tang & Stylios, 2006). Conductivity in textiles can be imparted at various textile stages.…”

Magnetic cotton yarns – optimization of magnetic properties

“…Integration of multifunctional values in such a common material has become a special area of interest in recent years. Fiber, yarns, woven fabric, knitted fabric, nonwoven fabric, and other structures with added-value functionality have been developed for a wide range of applications (Lam Po Tang & Stylos, 2006).…”