Smart Textiles Flashcards
What is the definition of a smart textile?
Textiles that are able to sense stimuli from the environment and give a proportionate response through multifunctional materials and systems
Name the functions a wearable smart technology should be capable of
- monitoring a particular environment or condition
- responding to a particular environment/condition
- sense
- raise alarm
- adapt
State the hierarchy of intelligence of sensors
- passive smart: sensors
- active smart: sensor +actuator
- very smart: adapt behaviour to circumstances (future?)
Explain why sensors are passive smart, and why senors+actuator is active smart
- sensor: sue novel materials to sense physical changes and feedback some response to the user
- sensor + actuator: uses feedback to change products mechanical/chemical/structural properties
Why use textiles for smart applications?
3
- they’re everywhere and we are very familiar with them
- clothes make contact with both the body and outside environment
- they are versitile and they’re are many areas that the smart application can be applied to, eg fibre type, finishing treatment, etc
Name 3 new speciality fibres
- conductive fibres
- light harvesting fibres
- sensory fibres (sense heat, Ph, etc)
Name 2 surface treatments that can impart functionality
- enzyme treatment
- plasma treatment
What are the 5 parts that make up smart fabrics and interactive textiles?
- sensors
- data processing capacity
- actuators
- interface with user
- power supply
What do sensors do?
- monitor conditions and physiological conditions
- sense particular property and convert to electrical signal
- Sense environmental conditions and reflect, adapt etc.
Name 2 examples of physiological sensing
- acoustics: heart, lungs, joints
- odour, sweat
Name 2 examples of external environment for senors to pick up on.
- temperature
- light (UV)
What does the data processing component of a smart textile do?
3
- interprets signals from sensor
- needs electronic components
- data storage
What do actuators do? Name an example
Respond to stimulus from sensor
-change of shape or rigidity
Explain ‘interface with the user’ in smart textiles
Communication required within one element on the garment
-need for conductive fibres or optical fibres
What are general commodity textiles?
General commodity textiles are passive materials and do not have the ability to respond to external conditions.
What properties can smart textiles change when responding to stimuli?
They are capable of showing significant change in their properties such as shape, colour and stiffness, or their thermal, optical, or electromagnetic properties
