Smart Fabric Technology Issues - Essay Example

Smart Fabric Smart textile also known as e-textiles are materials that allow electronics, digital and computing mechanism to be set in them. These fabrics are known as smart due to the incorporation of technology in day-to-day textiles (Lay-Ekuakille, 2010). Some of the technology that is integrated in these fabrics is electronic elements such as microchips, sensors and actuators; biotechnology that allows living organisms to change the effect and use of fabric. These fabrics are created in such a way that they can control heating and cooling. These fabrics can be used in medicine, sports, military uniforms among others. The technology in these fabrics is such that it can react to sounds, actions and movement. These textiles have been applied in healthcare, communication, music and in recent research it could be used in military. Smart fabrics are a promise of revolution for lifestyle, commerce and physical conditions of individuals (Nugent, 2006). While smart clothes offer a wide range of advantages if incorporated in the textile industry, it faces two major setbacks: unpredictability and unobtrusiveness. After years of research, finally a wearable clothing electronic system is coming up (Surhone,2010). This will provide a stable setting for commercial applications. Currently, the available solutions are mostly focused on the fitness sector and also heartbeat rate supervision through clothing electrodes. There is research working on developing a fabric or belt that will help monitor a baby’s heart rate before they are born. This will fit more in a lifestyle aspect of smart fabric application than in a medical one since monitoring the heartbeat may not be a medical requirement. In turn, it could lead to a fabric or belt that helps monitor difficult pregnancies (Plunkett, 2008). Truth is, fabrics envelop every aspect of our lives be it security, fashion, trends, sports, or health and hence, it should be convenient and accessible at all times. There is touch sensitive fabric that has been created (Lymberis, 2004). It has all qualities of ordinary fabrics, but the inclusion of touch sensors makes it more versatile, innovative and desirable. These effects transform the fabric from a simple product to a high-tech interaction device which can be applied in many sectors in life (Surhone,2010). D3O, a non-Newtonian fluid, has been incorporated in some smart fabrics over time. Smart fabrics with this fluid embedded in them help protect the individual wearing it during impacts such as collisions, car accident and falls. This is because the fluid has properties that make it safe and reliable during impact. It moves slowly, but on shock, it locks itself together and absorbs shock to disband energy. This aspect of the fluid has seen it sawn on seams and linings of sporting gears that are dangerous and are prone to falls such as skiing (Plunkett, 2008). The energy produced during the fall is spread throughout the polymer, and through the chemical process, the energy is distributed throughout the matrix of the gears and thus reduces the expected impact. Smart fabrics are textiles that have embedded sensors to create exceptional products that help individuals not only monitor their health, but also stay in touch with technology. It is important to understand the types of sensors available (Lymberis, 2004). Sensors are devices that react and give responses to physical stimuli such as magnetic fields, noise, defined movement, light and heat and, in turn, send out a resultant impulse to measure or manage a control. There are three types of sensors: Extrinsic Fabry-Perot (EFPI), Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG), and Ling Period Grating Sensor (LPG). These sensors are embedded into the fabrics in many different ways such as weaving them with other fabric yarn also known as battery fabric, crimpling them into fabric and weave designing. The EFPI and FBG sensors have the best qualities as at now to embed in fabrics, to make smart materials (Nambisan, 2007). The EFPI sensor helps measure temperature, acceleration, pressure and strain. It uses a distance measuring technique whereby light is passed through the sensor fiber, and a portion of the light is reflected at the yarn interface. The light that remains spreads through the optical path between the second reflective surface and the yarn and is reflected back into the fiber. These light waves cause positive and negative interference as per their wavelengths, and the ocular path difference is defined. Research shows that EFPI sensors are best used for AE events sensing since they are more adaptive than other sensors. The Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor, on the other hand, has their refractive index periodic variation in print in the fiber core by a high power laser. This allows the fiber grating to transmit some wavelengths and reflect others (Surhone, 2010). If there is strain, the grating patterns change and cause a change in the reflected light and it is evaluated to determine parameters – process known as demodulation. The FBG sensor measures strain using low frequency. The LPG sensor uses chemicals. Coatings are applied on the LPG’s surface and are then optimized for specific responses and dependability. If the chemical comes into contact with the target molecules, then it changes to give the desirable effect. The LPG sensor is created so that its fused-silica glass is photo responsive and thus its refractive index varies periodically. The sensors are placed in the fabric and woven in with the rest of the yarn and then made functional by connecting them to transistors, capacitors, resistors, batteries and amplifiers. The connector carrying all other electronics is small so that it is not visible on the clothing. It is, however, an important requirement since it completes the circuit and makes the sensors function. Battery fibers can be woven into the fabric like the sensors instead of putting up switches. Since this is a means of storing power, it will reduce the chances of having to recharge the sensors manually (Plunkett, 2008). The techniques to be used to market smart fabrics so that they become an international phenomenon must be versatile (Surhone,2010). The use of smart fabric is currently seen in Europe and United States and is used mostly in sportswear and medical dressing. The concept of smart fabric was derived from computers. The concept is meant to come up with a creative textile that has computing elements but is still wearable. Smart fabrics are, therefore, an integrated and combined effort of research, technology and physiology. The concept of smart clothing can be applied in several sectors of life. They can be functional clothing, meaning they are worn for a specified purpose. For example, they could serve as a protective measure, which means they shield the user from, say, intense weather or to carry out a futuristic performance (IEEE Computer Society, 1997). It can also be used to create garments for medical functions such as watching glucose levels, blood pressure and weight. They can also be used in home rehabilitation whereby some textiles would encourage their users to exercise, and at the same time ensure they follow the correct way of exercising as per requirements and body control. Smart garments can be a source of motivation for their wearer in regard to exercising. Exercising can be tedious and could lead to injuries if not done in the right way and by using smart clothes, they could avoid getting injuries. This textile also gives physicians and doctors a channel through which they can monitor their patients from their homes (Lay-Ekuakille, 2010). This helps the patients recover fast since they are in a familiar setting, and also reduce fatigue that comes with visiting hospitals especially when one is very sick. Trendy posture support clothing. Another application for smart textiles is fashion. Fashion is known to keep people smart, stylish and up to date. As much as people want to adapt to new fashion, they also want to remain stylish and trendy. It is, therefore, important that designers of smart clothing put into consideration the fashion aspect of clothing. In this context, therefore, the creators of smart fabric must ensure that the degree of technology they use in this context be reasonable (Surhone,2010). This is to say that the technology used should not be overly complex for the person using the garment. The entertainment industry also stands to gain a lot from the smart textiles since it is an industry that focuses on giving quality aesthetic value. Since smart textiles have a high aesthetic value, they could be applied in the entertainment industry as costumes or they could be created to incorporate music and video players (Nugent, 2006). In conclusion, smart fabrics are a revolution and have a promise for a bright future. With time, it will become a phenomenon across the globe and will change the lifestyle of people. It will also help in incorporation of technology to every aspect of life (Nambisan, 2007). References IEEE Computer Society. Fault-Tolerant Computing Technical Committee, I. C. (1997). First International Symposium on Wearable Computers: digest of papers: October 13-14, 1997, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Virginia: IEEE Computer Society Press. Lambert, M., & Surhone, M. T. (2010). Smart fabric. Germany: VDM Verlag Dr. Muelle. Lay-Ekuakille, A. (2010). Wearable and autonomous biomedical devices and systems for smart environment: Issues and characterization. New Mexico: Springer. Lymberis, A. (2004). Wearable e-health systems for personalised health management: State of the art and future challenges. Virginia: IOS Press. Nugent, C.D., & Augusto, J. C. (2006). Smart homes and beyond: ICOST 2006: 4th International Conference on Smart Homes and Health Telematics. Virginia: IOS Press.Plunkett Research Ltd, J. W. (2008). Apparel and textiles industry market research, statistics, trends and leading Companies. Plunketts Apparel and Textiles Industry Almanac 2008. Texas: Plunkett Research, Ltd. Plunkett, J. W. (2008). Plunketts Sports Industry Almanac 2009. Texas: Plunkett Research, Ltd. Satish Nambisan, M. S. (2007). The global brain: Your roadmap for innovating faster and smarter in a networked world. California: Pearson Prentice Hall. Read More