Research and application status of intelligent interactive textiles

The concept of smart interactive textiles

In the concept of intelligent interactive textiles, in addition to the feature of intelligence, the ability to interact is another significant feature. As the technological predecessor of intelligent interactive textiles, the technological development of interactive textiles has also made great contributions to intelligent interactive textiles.

The interactive mode of intelligent interactive textiles is usually divided into passive interaction and active interaction. Smart textiles with passive interactive functions can usually only perceive changes or stimuli in the external environment and cannot make effective feedback; smart textiles with active interactive functions can respond to these changes in a timely manner while sensing changes in the external environment.

The impact of new materials and new preparation technologies on smart interactive textiles

1. Metallized fiber-the first choice in the field of intelligent interactive fabrics

Metal-plated fiber is a kind of functional fiber that has attracted much attention in recent years. With its unique antibacterial, antistatic, sterilization and deodorizing properties, it has been widely used in the fields of personal clothing, medical treatment, sports, home textiles and special clothing. application.

Although metal fabrics with certain physical properties cannot be called smart interactive fabrics, metal fabrics can be used as the carrier of electronic circuits, and can also become a component of electronic circuits, and therefore become the material of choice for interactive fabrics.

2. The impact of new preparation technology on smart interactive textiles

The existing intelligent interactive textile preparation process mainly uses electroplating and electroless plating. Because smart fabrics have many load-bearing functions and require high reliability, it is difficult to obtain thicker coatings with vacuum coating technology. Because there is no better technological innovation, the application of smart materials is limited by physical coating technology. The combination of electroplating and electroless plating has become a compromise solution to this problem. Generally, when fabrics with conductive properties are prepared, conductive fibers made by electroless plating are first used to weave the fabric. The fabric coating prepared by this technology is more uniform than the fabric obtained by directly using electroplating technology. In addition, conductive fibers can be blended with ordinary fibers in proportion to reduce costs on the basis of ensuring functions.

At present, the biggest problem with fiber coating technology is the bonding strength and firmness of the coating. In practical applications, the fabric needs to undergo various conditions such as washing, folding, kneading, etc. Therefore, the conductive fiber needs to be tested for durability, which also puts forward higher requirements on the preparation process and the adhesion of the coating. If the quality of the coating is not good, it will crack and fall off in actual application. This puts forward very high requirements for the application of electroplating technology on fiber fabrics.

In recent years, microelectronic printing technology has gradually shown technical advantages in the development of smart interactive fabrics. This technology can use printing equipment to accurately deposit conductive ink on a substrate, thereby manufacturing highly customizable electronic products on demand. Although microelectronic printing can quickly prototype electronic products with various functions on various substrates, and has the potential for short cycle and high customization, the cost of this technology is still relatively high at this stage.

In addition, the conductive hydrogel technology also shows its unique advantages in the preparation of smart interactive fabrics. Combining conductivity and flexibility, conductive hydrogels can mimic the mechanical and sensory functions of human skin. In the past few decades, they have attracted great attention in the fields of wearable devices, implantable biosensors, and artificial skin. Due to the formation of the conductive network, the hydrogel has fast electron transfer and strong mechanical properties. As a conductive polymer with adjustable conductivity, polyaniline can use phytic acid and polyelectrolyte as dopants to make various types of conductive hydrogels. Despite its satisfactory electrical conductivity, the relatively weak and brittle network severely hinders its practical application. Therefore, it needs to be developed in practical applications.

Intelligent interactive textiles developed based on new material technology

Shape memory textiles

Shape memory textiles introduce materials with shape memory functions into textiles through weaving and finishing, so that textiles have shape memory properties. The product can be the same as memory metal, after any deformation, it can adjust its shape to the original after reaching certain conditions.

Shape memory textiles mainly include cotton, silk, woolen fabrics and hydrogel fabrics. A shape memory textile developed by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University is made of cotton and linen, which can quickly recover smooth and firm after being heated, and has good moisture absorption, will not change color after long-term use, and is chemically resistant.

Products with functional requirements such as insulation, heat resistance, moisture permeability, air permeability, and impact resistance are the main application platforms for shape memory textiles. At the same time, in the field of fashion consumer goods, shape memory materials have also become excellent materials for expressing design language in the hands of designers, giving products more unique expressive effects.

Electronic intelligent information textiles

By implanting flexible microelectronic components and sensors in the fabric, it is possible to prepare electronic information intelligent textiles. Auburn University in the United States has developed a fiber product that can emit heat reflection changes and light-induced reversible optical changes. This material has great technical advantages in the field of flexible display and other equipment manufacturing. In recent years, as technology companies that are mainly engaged in mobile technology products have shown great demand for flexible display technology, research on flexible textile display technology has received more attention and development momentum.

Modular technical textiles

Integrating electronic components into textiles through modular technology to prepare fabrics is the current technologically optimal solution for realizing fabric intelligence. Through the “Project Jacquard” project, Google is committed to realizing the modular application of smart fabrics. At present, it has cooperated with Levi’s, Saint Laurent, Adidas and other brands to launch a variety of smart fabrics for different consumer groups. product.

The vigorous development of intelligent interactive textiles is inseparable from the continuous development of new materials and the perfect cooperation of various supporting processes. Thanks to the decreasing cost of various new materials in the market today and the maturity of production technology, more bold ideas will be tried and implemented in the future to provide new inspiration and direction for the smart textile industry.