Smart Textiles

Question 1

What is the definition of a smart textile?

Answer 1

Textiles that are able to sense stimuli from the environment and give a proportionate response through multifunctional materials and systems

Question 2

Name the functions a wearable smart technology should be capable of

Answer 2

• monitoring a particular environment or condition
• responding to a particular environment/condition
• sense
• raise alarm
• adapt

Question 3

State the hierarchy of intelligence of sensors

Answer 3

• passive smart: sensors
• active smart: sensor +actuator
• very smart: adapt behaviour to circumstances (future?)

Question 4

Explain why sensors are passive smart, and why senors+actuator is active smart

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

Why use textiles for smart applications?

3

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

Name 3 new speciality fibres

Answer 6

• conductive fibres
• light harvesting fibres
• sensory fibres (sense heat, Ph, etc)

Question 7

Name 2 surface treatments that can impart functionality

Answer 7

• enzyme treatment

- plasma treatment

Question 8

What are the 5 parts that make up smart fabrics and interactive textiles?

Answer 8

• sensors
• data processing capacity
• actuators
• interface with user
• power supply

Question 9

What do sensors do?

Answer 9

• monitor conditions and physiological conditions
• sense particular property and convert to electrical signal
• Sense environmental conditions and reflect, adapt etc.

Question 10

Name 2 examples of physiological sensing

Answer 10

• acoustics: heart, lungs, joints

- odour, sweat

Question 11

Name 2 examples of external environment for senors to pick up on.

Answer 11

• temperature

- light (UV)

Question 12

What does the data processing component of a smart textile do?
3

Answer 12

• interprets signals from sensor
• needs electronic components
• data storage

Question 13

What do actuators do? Name an example

Answer 13

Respond to stimulus from sensor

-change of shape or rigidity

Question 14

Explain ‘interface with the user’ in smart textiles

Answer 14

Communication required within one element on the garment

-need for conductive fibres or optical fibres

Question 15

What are general commodity textiles?

Answer 15

General commodity textiles are passive materials and do not have the ability to respond to external conditions.

Question 16

What properties can smart textiles change when responding to stimuli?

Answer 16

They are capable of showing significant change in their properties such as shape, colour and stiffness, or their thermal, optical, or electromagnetic properties