A collaborative team of researchers is developing touchless, washable electronic textiles that allow users to interact with clothing through fingertip sensors activated by magnets.
A collaborative team of researchers from Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V. in Germany, and the Libera Università of Bozen (Unibz) in Italy is exploring the potential of wearable technology to redefine the future of fashion. They have developed an innovative touchless and washable textile integration, which allows users to interact with clothing through fingertip sensors activated by magnets.
The newly engineered electronic textiles utilize flexible magnetic field sensors embedded within an industry-standard yarn, which is designed to resemble a tubular fabric similar to shoelaces. “One of the biggest challenges in the development of smart textiles is to turn the sensor into a thread, i.e., to modify the thread itself so that it can function as a sensor without the need for additional components,” stated Michael Haller, a professor at the Faculty of Engineering at Unibz.
The fabric is designed to seamlessly integrate with existing textile production techniques, maintaining compatibility with machinery currently in use. Activating the sensors requires simply bringing a magnet, no larger than a typical household object, close to the embedded sensor, which thus alters the magnetic field it’s measuring. This design ensures that the fabrics remain machine-washable while retaining their functionalities, paving the way for their use in both everyday clothing and specialized garments, such as diving suits.
The researchers emphasized the durability and practical application of this technology, noting that the system is not prone to unintentional activation, an issue often encountered with conventional touch sensors, such as those on smartphones. “Our project could revolutionize electronic textiles used in both specialized and everyday clothing,” remarked Pasindu Lugoda, a researcher at Nottingham Trent University and the first author of the study.
Under the guidance of Niko Münzenrieder, a professor of physics at Unibz, the team also began conceiving various applications for their technology. Prototypes include an arm-worn band that facilitates navigation within virtual environments and a motorcycle helmet strap designed to determine if the helmet has been properly secured. Potential future applications extend to temperature control and the creation of fabrics that can be heated or cooled based on user needs.
The incorporation of multiple sensors into a single garment, each signified by different colors in the fabric, allows clothing to serve as an interactive interface between the wearer and various technological devices. “Our research is extremely versatile, not only because it is the first to insert magnetic field-sensitive sensors into textiles in a discreet and non-invasive manner, but also because we have developed a technology that can be adapted to different types of sensors, in addition to magnetic ones, opening the way for the realization of all kinds of smart textiles,” Münzenrieder concluded.
This promising development in the realm of electronic textiles has the potential to revolutionize how fashion interacts with technology, blending utility with modern design in a way that may significantly impact the industry in the years to come.
Source: Noah Wire Services
