Team develops washable touchless textile technology
An international collaboration has developed a washable touchless technology that allows users to interact with everyday textiles or specialised clothing by pointing their finger above a sensor.
A team of researchers from Nottingham Trent University, Germany’s Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, and Italy’s Free University of Bozen-Bolzano created the washable and durable magnetic field sensing electronic textiles, which they said paves the way to transform use in clothing.
In a new study published in Communications Engineering, the researchers reveal how flexible and highly responsive magnetoresistive sensors can be placed within braided textile yarns compatible with conventional textile manufacturing.
In a statement, corresponding author Dr Theo Hughes-Riley, based in Nottingham Trent’s Advanced Textiles Research Group, said: “Electronic textiles are becoming increasingly popular with wide-ranging uses, but the fusion of electronic functionality and textile fabrics can be very challenging.
“Electronic textiles have evolved and now rely on soft and flexible materials which are robust enough to endure washing and bending, but which are intuitive and reliable.”
The textile can be operated by the user across a variety of functions through the use of a ring or glove which would require a miniature magnet.
The sensors are integrated within the textile, allowing the position of the sensors to be indicated using dyeing or embroidering, acting as touchless controls.
It is claimed the technology can be integrated into clothing and other textiles and can work underwater and across weather conditions.
The researchers added that it is not prone to accidental activation, unlike some capacitive sensors in textiles and textile-based switches.
By integrating the technology into everyday clothing people would be able to interact with computers, smart phones, watches and other smart devices, transforming their clothes into a wearable human-computer interface.
The technology could be applied to areas such as temperature or safety controls for specialised clothing, gaming, or interactive fashion – such as allowing users to use simple gestures to control LEDs or other illuminating devices embedded in textiles.
The study involved demonstrating the technology on a variety of uses, including a functional armband allowing navigational control in a virtual reality environment, and a self-monitoring safety strap for a motorcycle helmet.
It is thought to be the first time that washable magnetic sensors have been unobtrusively integrated within textiles to be used for human-computer interactions.
“Our design could revolutionise electronic textiles for both specialised and everyday clothing,” said lead researcher Dr Pasindu Lugoda, who is based in Nottingham Trent’s Department of Engineering. “Tactile sensors on textiles vary in usefulness as accidental activation occurs when they rub or brush against surfaces. Touchless interaction reduces wear and tear. Importantly, our technology is designed for everyday use. It is machine washable and durable and does not impact the drape, or overall aesthetic appeal of the textile.”
Source: https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/team-develops-washable-touchless-textile-technology
Acres have a range of standard products but also support clients with custom machinery and medium-high volume products such as trolleys, stillages etc.
We have manufactured lots of different tables / workstations / workbenches for various industries.
We also manufacture access platforms, jigs and fixtures and many other types of production support solutions / products.
Talk to us today about your requirements: [email protected] / 01332695240 / Contact Us Form
Click on the icon to check out our social media! Please follow, like and share!
Want to know more about Acres Engineering?
We are based in the UK from our Headquarters in Derbyshire, England and have a European office in Malaga, Spain within the EU.
Find out more about where we have been and what we have been up to by checking out our latest blog posts.
Take a look at how we support of the Armed Forces, STEM/Schools and Charities.
As a world leader in our field, we offer a range of information guides sharing best practice with our clients.
We make it easy to engage with us, we are approved on: EcoVadis (external) / JOSCAR (external) / AVETTA (external) / COUPA (external) / SAP ARIBA (external) / DEEPSTREAM (external) ….you can download our BSI / Insurance certificates here.
Source: TheEngineer.co.uk
