Smart and Technical TextilesLesson 1

The future of fibres & fabrics

Prepare for Learning

What’s the difference?

Learning Objectives

• To explain the terms: – Smart Textiles– Technical Textiles– Interactive Textiles.

• To be able to give examples of the above.• To create a model of a textile product that uses this technology

Technical Textiles• Technical textiles are fibres 

& fabrics which have been developed for their performance, and functional properties.

• They are often made of microfibres (synthetic fibres up to 60 times finer than human hair)

• Technical Textiles are all around us.

Uses

Building IndustryAgricultural IndustryMedical IndustryTransport IndustryArmed Forces

PolicePerformance Sportswear

Here are just a few examples:Super absorbent medical textiles used in wipes, wound dressings & nappies.

Super stretchy polyester yarns knitted in tubes & used in artery replacement

X‐Static® is the name of new yarn which uses silver in its production.  It can kill bacteria & fungi & can be used in wound dressings & underwear.

Technical Fabrics used by the Armed Services and Police

• Kevlar – used in body armour / bullet proof vests.

• High Visibility jackets use strips of 3M retro‐reflective tape.  This works by concentrating the light source & reflecting it back.

Lots of Technical Fabrics in Sportswear

Gore-Tex – water repellent and windproof: used in cycle jackets, outdoor wear

Nomex - fire retardant used in Formula 1 (& also oven gloves)

Coolmax® wicks moisture to the surface of the fabric, to keep you dry & comfortable.

Modern fabrics

BiomimeticsOther examples of modern fabrics that have been designed to mimic nature

Speedo’s Fastskin® swimsuit was developed using V-shaped fibres which mimic the ridges found on the skin of a shark

Stomatex® is a lightweight, strong & flexible material that mimics transpiration in plants.

Smart Textiles

Smart textiles can sense, react & adapt to the conditions around them.

For example, they can react to:

• Hot or cold temperature

• Light

• Pressure

• Moisture

• Time

Uses

Novelty clothing

Protective clothing

Safety equipment

Medical textiles

Military uses

Anti-allergen products

Baby productsSome smart materials meet a real need & have been developed for specific

functions. Others are more of a novelty design feature.

Pressure response FabricD3o is a new innovationIt is a soft malleable material most of the time, but when it comes into contact with force, it hardens on impact

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKQxDoXqc_I

Memory Foam is temperature & pressure sensitive foam that moulds to the shape of the body & returns to normal when pressure is removed.

Micro‐encapsulation

Chemicals / Fragrances are captured in microscopic polymer bubbles which are added to natural or microfibres.

When the fabric is rubbed or comes into contact with the skin, the bubbles slowly burst to release their content

Thermo chromic ColourThermo chromic textiles change colour with heat. They are engineered to change colour at a particular temperature.

There are serious medical uses as well as novelty ones, e.g. liquid crystal fabric strip thermometers, & baby sleep-suits to monitor temperature.

Photo chromic dyesPhoto chromic dyes react to UV light & change colour. They can be useful for monitoring the amount of time children spend in the sun, to prevent sun-burn.

Phosphorescent Pigments

These dyes are used in glow-in-the dark products.

Interactive or Electronic Textiles

An interactive fabric incorporates electronics that are activated by a power source. They are still Smart fabrics, they just require a power source.

Smart or Technical?

• Smart materials REACT and/or RESPOND to the user and/or the environment

• Technical textiles are fabrics and fibres that are developed for their unique properties. 

Smart or technical?

Use your whiteboards

Smart

Phosphorescent Pigments

These dyes are used in glow-in-the

dark products.

Smart or technical?

technical

Gore-Tex – water repellent and windproof: used in cycle jackets, outdoor wear

Smart or technical?

technical

Speedo’s Fastskin® swimsuit was developed using V-shaped fibres which mimic the ridges found on the skin of a shark

Smart or technical?

Smart

Thermo chromic textiles change colour with heat. They are engineered to change colour at a particular temperature.

Smart or technical?

Smart

Chemicals / Fragrances are captured in microscopic polymer bubbles which are added to natural or microfibres.

Micro‐encapsulation

Some more Electronic Fabrics

Graphic Equilizer T‐shirt playing to Lady GaGa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGv6Bw34PtU

Electronic fashion on the catwalk – by Diana Eng

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkdJv5OCXio&feature=related

The climate dresshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgVaUqSK3IQ

Shape changing couture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnCkJCyjixU&feature=related

Smart and Technical TextilesLesson 2

The future of fibres & fabrics

Exam questions 

Smart and Modern/Technical Textiles

Name…………………………………………………….

• You have 5 minutes to revise Modern and Smart materials

• You have 30 minutes to complete the test in black or blue pen

• Now using a different coloured (DO NOT USE GREEN)pen you may look at your notes and add anything extra bits of information

• Now peer assess the test using green pen

Quality of Written Communication will be tested in this question.Modern clothing sometimes includes electronic components such as:# solar panels in rucksacks# GPS Sat Nav tracking devices in outdoor clothing# Internet communication and entertainment devices in jackets.Explain in detail the benefits to the wearer of using this type of new technology.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................(8 marks)

Marks awarded as follows: No answer worthy of credit 0 marksSimple statements e.g. Electronics can be added to clothing to connect you to the internet. Candidate will tend to concentrate superficially on only a few ideas and offers little information, many aspects will be ignored. Little connection made between modern entertainment hand held devices/ integrated electronics and clothing. Response isstructured poorly with little or no use of Design and Technology terminology and with numerous errors in grammar, punctuation and spelling. 

1‐2 marksMore detailed information with example(s). This candidate has some understanding of new technologies integrated electronics/incorporation of electronic devices, at a basic level or may have more detailed understanding of a few examples. Response is fairly well structured with some use of Design and Technology terminology and with a smallnumber of errors in grammar, punctuation and spelling.  

3‐4 marksSound understanding of a variety of examples with accurate and detailed information. Response is well structured with good use of appropriate Design and Technology terminology and shows a good grasp of grammar, punctuation and spelling 

5‐6 marksExcellent understanding of a variety of examples with accurate and detailed information. Response is well structured with good use of appropriate Design and Technology terminology and shows a good grasp of grammar, punctuation and spelling. If bullet points are used to structure answer, then full, detailed sentences must be employed. Eg: Woven into ‘The Hub’ snowboard jacket are electrically conductive fabric tracks which connect the chip module to a fabric keyboard andbuilt‐in speakers in the snowboarder’s helmet or audio hat. The iPod provides entertainment whilst a Bluetooth device can control a mobile phone, with the microphone integrated in the collar of a jacket or into a hat. Similarly, the tailored jacket with specially shaped and sized pockets for gadgets and positioned holes to accommodate wires, responds to the needs of a professional man who seeks stylish wearable electronics in his work wear. 7‐8 marksBullet points may be used in answer to this question, as appropriate.  (8 marks)