Textiles are tactile, sensorial and visual. Qualities can be modified or even expanded when technology is added, transforming passive textiles into active and interactive devices, monitoring and detecting bodily functions due to their constant contact with our skin.
Printed electronics technology: the superior choice for smart textiles
Printed electronics technology opens up possibilities that the older wired technologies simply cannot match.
- Thanks to their flexibility, stretchability and lightweight, printed electronics allow for smart garments that function as a second skin with a great level of comfort for its wearer.
- Printed electronics are also more durable than traditional electronics and can withstand multiple washing cycles, crinkling, friction and sweating.
- The lower production costs and easy scalability of printed electronics also stimulate the development of new (IoT) applications and a larger adoption of e-garments and smart fabrics in general, which can promote a healthier lifestyle and reduce the risk of disease, accidents and injuries in many industries.
- Their integration is straightforward. After printing the sensors on TPU they can be transferred onto the textile material via hot press lamination. Both are well-established techniques.
- Compared to traditional electronics manufacturing, printed electronics are easily scalable and low cost.
- They are durable, precise, efficient and comfortable to wear.
- They have excellent interconnectability. The PCB’s can be positioned in a remote spot, are small and don’t need much power to work.
Athletic monitoring: train smarter, not harder
A wide range of smart sportswear (e.g. shirts, insoles, sports bras) track vital signs (via printed ECG or EMG sensors), core temperature, and biomechanics both during training and in the recovery phase. It helps athletes to enhance performance, ensure a healthy athletic growth, help reduce stress and prevent different types of injuries.
Alleviating the healthcare and medical sector
Smart textiles serve as a functional and comfortable ‘wearable computer’ that help health care professionals by monitoring and communicating a patient’s condition by detecting, storing, analysing, and transmitting physiological signals.
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