An international team of scientists have produced a fully woven smart textile display that integrates active electronic, sensing, energy and photonic functions. The functions are embedded directly into the fibres and yarns, which are manufactured using textile-based industrial processes. The researchers, led by the University of Cambridge, say their approach could lead to applications that sound like sci-fi: curtains that are also TVs, energy-harvesting carpets, and interactive, self-powered clothing and fabrics. This is the first time that a scalable large-area complex system has been integrated into textiles using an entirely fibre-based manufacturing approach. Despite recent progress in the development of smart textiles, their functionality, dimensions and shapes are limited by current manufacturing processes.
They coated each fibre component with materials that can withstand enough stretching so they can be used on textile manufacturing equipment. They also braided some of the fibre-based components to improve their reliability and durability. Finally, they connected multiple fibre components together using conductive adhesives and laser welding techniques. Using these techniques together, they were able to incorporate multiple functionalities into a large piece of woven fabric with standard, scalable textile manufacturing processes. The resulting fabric can operate as a display, monitor various inputs, or store energy for later use. The fabric can detect radio frequency signals, touch, light and temperature. It can also be rolled up, and because it’s made using commercial textile manufacturing techniques, large rolls of functional fabric could be made this way.
More information:
http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/news/scientists-develop-fully-woven-smart-display