Researchers have developed a fabric material with multifunctional sensing capabilities and self-powering potential. The smart fabric can convert body heat and solar energy into electricity, potentially enabling continuous operation with no need for an external power source.
- Different sensors monitoring temperature, stress and more can be integrated into the material. The fabric has the potential for energy harvesting, health monitoring and movement tracking applications.
THE RESEARCH: The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Waterloo, Canada in collaboration with Professor Chaoxia Wang and PhD student Jun Peng from the College of Textile Science and Engineering at Jiangnan University, China showcases the potential of integrating advanced materials such as MXene and conductive polymers with cutting-edge textile technologies to advance smart fabrics for wearable technology.
- The next phase of research will focus on further enhancing the fabric’s performance and integrating it with electronic components in collaboration with electrical and computer engineers. Future developments may include a smartphone app to track and transmit data from the fabric to healthcare professionals, enabling real-time, non-invasive health monitoring and everyday use.
- The study has been published in the Journal of Materials Science & Technology.
THE FABRIC: It can detect temperature changes and a range of other sensors to monitor pressure, chemical composition and more.
- One promising application is smart face masks that can track breath temperature and rate and detect chemicals in breath to help identify viruses, lung cancer and other conditions.
- Unlike current wearable devices that often depend on external power sources or frequent recharging, this breakthrough research has created a novel fabric which is more stable, durable, and cost-effective than other fabrics on the market.
WHAT THEY SAID:
AI technology is evolving rapidly, offering sophisticated signal analysis for health monitoring, food and pharmaceutical storage, environmental monitoring, and more. However, this progress relies on extensive data collection, which conventional sensors, often bulky, heavy, and costly, cannot meet. Printed sensors, including those embedded in smart fabrics, are ideal for continuous data collection and monitoring. This new smart fabric is a step forward in making these applications practical.
— Professor Yuning Li
Department of Chemical Engineering / Director, Waterloo’s Printable Electronic Materials Lab
University of Waterloo
