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 learned from nature!

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

Biological routes for synthesizing polymers or textile processing represent an environmentally friendly, sustainable way of utilizing natural resources

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

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.

Engineered/Smart Textile Materials

HIGH

PERFORMANCE

Comfort

Durability

Protection

Appearance

Retention

Sustainable Resource No Environmental Harm

Safe Human Use

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

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.

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?

Processing

Trigger or

Stimuli Sensing

Actuation Response

or Action

CO

NT

RO

LL

ING

The sensors provide a nerve

system to detect signals

The processor analyzes and

evaluates the signals

The actuators act upon the

detected and evaluated

signal either directly or from

a central control unit

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fiber Focus Today, the focus is on specialty products

engineered for specific end-uses and on

creative ways to market these products

Microdenier nylons are soft and

sumptuous with a dull matte

appearance for a natural look

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.

Thermal Performance

Enhancing Fabric

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

Hydroweave provides

extraordinary protection against

heat, actively cooling the

wearer through evaporation,

and helping to maintain the core

body temperature in high-heat

environments

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Nano-fibers attached to

cotton fibers

Nano-fibers cause

liquids to roll off

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

3-layer interlock woven structure

5-layer interlock woven structure

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

air gaps

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

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

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

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.

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.

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?

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

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

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.