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WORLD FIRST FOR

ELECTRONIC TEXTILES

In what is thought to be the first development of its Lead researcher Dr. Pasindu Lugoda of the
kind, researchers from Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham Trent University Department of
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden Rossendorf e.V and Engineering, states:
the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (Italy) have
“ Our design could revolutionise electronic textiles
created washable and durable magnetic field
for both specialised and everyday clothing.
sensing electronic textiles.
Tactile sensors vary in usefulness as accidental
Tiny, flexible and highly responsive ‘magnetoresistive’ activation occurs when they rub or brush against
sensors are placed within braided textile yarns surfaces. Touchless interaction reduces wear and
that are compatible with conventional textile tear. Importantly, our technology is designed for
manufacturing. These sensors are seamlessly everyday use. It is machine washable and does not
integrated within the textile, allowing the position impact the drape or overall aesthetic appeal of the
of the sensors to be indicated using dyeing or textile. “
embroidering, acting as touchless controls or
Dr. Theo Hughes-Riley of the Nottingham Trent
‘buttons’.
University Advanced Textile Research Group, adds:
The researchers emphasise that this technology is
“ Electronic textiles are becoming increasingly
not prone to accidental activation as is the case with
popular with wide-ranging uses, but the fusion
some capacitive sensors in textiles and textile-based
of electronic functionality and textile fabrics
switches.
can be very challenging. Electronic textiles have
By integrating the technology into everyday clothing evolved and now rely on soft and flexible materials
people are enabled to interact with computers, which are robust enough to endure washing and
smartphones, watches and other smart devices with bending, but which are intuitive and reliable. “
clothes becoming a wearable human-computer
Reference: Fowle, H., ‘Washable touchless Technology could
interface. Applications include use in temperature “revolutionise” Electronic Textiles’, Electronic Specifier, 2nd. March
or safety controls for specialised clothing, gaming INSTITUTION OF ELECTRONICS NEWS:
and interactive fashion, e.g. using simple gestures
to control LEDs and other illuminating devices FROM THE ARCHIVES 30
embedded within textiles, while testing included a VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY 42
functional armband that allows control in a virtual
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reality environment, and a self-monitoring safety
strap for a motorcycle helmet. NATIONAL ELECTRONICS COMPETITION 44
It is thought that this is the first time that washable MASTERS DEGREES - CLIMATE SOLUTIONS 46
magnetic sensors have been unobtrusively
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integrated within textiles to be used for human-
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