SMART TEXTILE
INTRODUCTION :
Clothing is one of the three basic human needs. From primitive age, textile is used for clothing which was extended to household and domestic purpose with progressive civilization.
A smart textile are materials an structures that sense and react to environmental conditions or stimuli, such as those from mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, magnetic or other sources.
Textile science today stands on a novel, unexplored and a fantasy horizon.
FUNDAMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Smart materials
A smart polymer or material can be described as a material that will change it is characteristics according to outside conditions or stimuli.
Definition
When textile assumes an additional function over and above the conventional purpose, it may be regarded as Smart Textile.
Components in smart textiles
Three components may be present in smart textiles
- Sensors
- Actuators
- Controlling units
The sensors provide a nerve system to detect signals. Some of the materials act only as sensors and some as both sensors and actuators. Actuators act upon the signals and work in coordination with the controlling unit to produce an appropriate output.
Classification of smart textiles
Smart textiles are classified into three categories depending on functional activity, as follows:
- Passive smart textiles
- Active smart textiles
- Very or ultra smart textiles
Passive smart textiles :
The first generation of smart textiles, UV protective clothing, multi layer composite yarn and textiles, plasma treated clothing, ceramic coated textiles, conductive fibers, fabrics with optical sensors are some examples of passive smart textiles.
Active smart textiles :
The second generation of smart textiles have both actuators and sensors and tune functionality to specific agents or environments are called active smart textiles. Phase change materials and shape memory materials, heat sensitive dyes etc.
Ultra smart textiles :
Very smart textiles are the third generation of smart textiles, which can sense, react, and adapt themselves to environmental conditions or stimuli. They are the highest levels of smart textiles. Ultra smart textiles are an attempt to make electronic device a genuine part of our daily life by embedding entire systems into clothing and accessories.
APPLICATION OF SMART TEXTILES :
Comfort wear
Heat protection
Medical applications
Military applications
Computing textiles
Fashion
Aviation
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