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Smart Nanotextiles:
ing garments that maintain the wearer’s
body temperature.
Therefore, the fundamental compo-
nents within smart textiles are sensors,
actuators, and control units. The sensing
elements, data transmission, and process-

A Review of ing must be integrated into the textile


while retaining the usual tactile, flexible,
and comfort properties of clothing in
order for the smart textile to be practical.

Materials and Much work in the field of smart clothing


features conventional electronics overlaid
onto a textile substrate, and the problems
of connections, bulkiness, wearability, and

Applications washability are well documented.3,4


A means of seamless integration is
required to develop true textile sensors.
This is why nanotechnology is key to the
Shirley Coyle, Yanzhe Wu, King-Tong Lau, smart textiles industry, enabling the incor-
poration of new functionalities at various
Danilo De Rossi, Gordon Wallace, production stages—at the fiber-spinning
and Dermot Diamond level, during yarn/fabric formation, or at
the finishing stage. This article describes
current materials developments for smart
nanotextiles and some of the many appli-
Abstract cations where these innovative textiles are
The development of smart nanotextiles has the potential to revolutionize the of great benefit.
functionality of our clothing and the fabrics in our surroundings. Nanoscale manipulation
results in new functionalities for intelligent textiles, including self-cleaning, sensing, Materials Research
actuating, and communicating. This is made possible by such developments as new The earliest textile developments
materials, fibers, and finishings; inherently conducting polymers; carbon nanotubes; and involved the use of natural materials such
antimicrobial nanocoatings. These additional functionalities have numerous applications, as cotton, wool, and flax. More recently,
encompassing healthcare, sports, military applications, and fashion. The wearer and the synthetic fibers were developed: Lycra®, a
surrounding environment may be monitored in an innocuous manner, giving continuous segmented polyurethane-urea, has excep-
updates of individual health status or environmental hazards. More generally, smart tional elastic properties, and Kevlar®,
textiles become a critical part of the emerging area of body sensor networks poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide, has
incorporating sensing, actuation, control, and wireless data transmission. This article ultrahigh-strength properties and is used
reviews current research in nanotechnology application to textiles, from fiber in bulletproof vests. Today, needs for per-
manipulation and development to end uses of smart nanotextiles. sonal mobility, healthcare, or rehabilitation
require that novel functions in sensing and
actuating be integrated into textiles. The
fundamental challenge in system-on-
textile design is that the drapability and
Introduction manufacturability of textiles and clothing
Technology is becoming increasingly feel of the fabric is where nanotechnology must remain largely unaffected. Materials
prominent in our daily lives, in many ways is having a huge impact on the textile suitable for the development of smart
alleviating and in other ways fueling the industry. The market for textiles using nanotextiles include inherently conducting
demands of modern living. Huge opportu- nanotechnologies is predicted to reach polymers (ICPs), carbon nanotubes
nities exist in the textile market to extend $13.6 billion in 2007 and climb dramati- (CNTs), and a number of other materials in
the functionality and performance of tex- cally to $115 billion by 2012.1 the forms of nanoparticles or nanofibers.
tiles to meet these demands. The advent of Textiles, being a pervasive and univer-
smart nanotextiles will revolutionize the sal interface, are an ideal substrate for Inherently Conducting Polymers
clothes we wear, the furnishings in our integrating sensors to monitor the wearer Discovered in 1977, inherently conduct-
homes, and the materials used in industry. and the environment. Textiles offer a ing polymers (ICPs) conduct electricity
This coming revolution has heightened versatile framework for incorporating and have the ability to sense and actuate.5
the expectations of textile performance, sensing, monitoring, and information Actuators based on ICPs can generate
and there is a great demand for “smart fab- processing devices. Smart textiles can much higher stresses with a strain compa-
rics” that are more perceptive of the sur- sense and react to environmental condi- rable to natural skeletal muscle,6,7 and sen-
rounding environment. Technical and tions or stimuli, for example, from sors based on ICPs can change their
functional textiles may be enlisted in a mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, resistivity or generate an electrical signal
wealth of applications ranging from mili- or magnetic sources.2 Some are termed in response to external stimuli.8,9 ICP-
tary and security to personalized health- “passive smart textiles,” capable of sens- based intelligent polymer systems have
care, hygiene, and entertainment. ing environmental conditions, whereas the ability to sense, process information,
Advancing the current functionalities of “active smart textiles” contain both actua- and actuate. Chart 1 depicts chemical
textiles while maintaining the look and tors and sensors, such as thermoregulat- structures of some commonly used ICPs.

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leads to a theoretical conductivity of up to Films of ICP nanofibers have been used


2 ¥ 107 S cm-1, which is much higher than as sensors to detect chemical vapors that
metal conductors.16 However, the com- interact with ICPs and change their con-
monly used bulk synthesis method ductivity. This application exploits the ben-
inevitably results in a shorter molecular efit of high surface area resulting from the
chain and introduces conjugation defects, small diameter of the nanofibers. Thin films
with interchain charge hopping reducing made of PANi/CSA nanofibers with diam-
the electrical conductivity of ICPs to less eters between 30 and 50 nm (Figure 1) have
than 1000 S cm-1.17 been used as a chemical sensor with supe-
Textiles made from ICPs may be real- rior performance to vapors of acid (HCl)
ized by continuous wet spinning to pro- and base (NH3).8
duce ICP-based textile fibers, which can Moreover, by incorporating CNTs, the
be manufactured into yarns and a range electrical and mechanical properties of
of fabric structures.18 The conductivity ICPs can also be improved. For example,
changes in response to external deforma- a PANi–CNT composite fiber was pro-
tion are exploited in the production of duced recently26 using a wet spinning tech-
Chart 1. Chemical structures of textile-based mechanical sensors such as nique where the ultimate tensile strength
selected inherently conducting the flexible strain gauge.19 Particularly, and elastic modulus of composite fiber
polymers (ICPs) in the undoped form. PPy coated on nylon and Lycra by an increased by 50% to 120% with an elec-
in situ chemical polymerization process tronic conductivity of up to ~750 S cm-1.
has been applied to biofeedback devices The unique properties of high strength,
for sports training and rehabilitation.20,21 robustness, good conductivity, and pro-
Most ICPs are prepared via chemical or The actuation property of ICPs results nounced electroactivity of CNTs in the
electrochemical oxidation of the monomer from the volume change of ICPs nano domain make these composite fibers
in solution or in the vapor phase,10 and (Reaction 1). An applied positive potential potentially useful in electronic textile appli-
incorporation of a range of dopants is leads to the removal of electrons from the cations, such as the enhanced force genera-
possible, resulting in ICPs with varying polymer backbone and the incorporation tion when incorporated into fabric as an
properties. Among the available ICPs, of dopant ions (A-) to maintain electrical actuator and the improved conduction
polypyrrole (PPy) is attractive because it neutrality. The positive charges on the when used as the connection wire. Figure 2
has high mechanical strength, is rela- polymer backbone provide coulombic shows the morphology of a PANi– SWNT
tively stable in air, and is electroactive in repulsion forces between polymer (single-wall nanotube) composite fiber.
both organic and aqueous solutions. chains. Together with the incorporation of
Polyacetylene is unstable in air, limiting its dopants, the overall volume can be varied, Nanoparticles: Composite Fibers
use. Polyaniline (PANi) is one of the most and this process can be reversed in a and Finishings
widely studied ICPs, with relatively good controlled fashion to produce usable Nanostructured composite fibers are
environmental stability and good electri- mechanical work.6 ICP-based mechanical one area where nanotechnology is already
cal conductivity. PANi has three possible actuators can achieve average stresses ~10 having a huge impact within the textile
configurations: leucoemeraldine base to 20 times those generated from natural industry. Composite fibers employ nano-
(fully reduced), emeraldine base (partly muscle,22 realize strains (>20%) compara- sized components such as nanoparticles,
oxidized), and pernigraniline base (fully ble to natural muscle,23 and achieve fast graphite nanofibers, and CNTs to improve
oxidized). When oxidized in aqueous freestanding beam actuation with an oper- physical properties such as conductivity
protonic acids, PANi increases its con- ational frequency of up to 40 Hz.24 and antistatic behavior. Table I lists some
ductivity by 9–10 orders of magnitude. Recently, more than one million redox of the nano-sized species that are used to
Polythiophene and its derivatives have cycles were reported using an ionic liquid improve the performance of textiles.27
both p- and n-type electronic forms, which 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluo- These nanoparticles may be used to
have been researched to construct poly- roborate (BMI-BF4)/PANi fiber actuator develop composite fibers as nanoscale
mer field-effect transistors for flexible system, with a minimal decrease in actua- fillers or through a foam-forming process
logic circuits.11 Moreover, extensive tion strain.25 and may also be applied as finishings to
research has also been devoted to its use
in polymer solar cells,12 where its many
advantages, such as low production costs,
flexibility, and light weight, make it suit-
able for integration into textile fibers.13
The unusual electrical conduction in
ICPs is achieved through a charged p-
conjugated system, which is a truly nano-
structured charge pathway via a long
molecular chain. This pathway is stabi-
lized by a negatively charged dopant
Reaction 1. Incorporation and exclusion of the dopant ions in electrochemical actuation of
incorporated in close vicinity; that is, all
inherently conducting polymers (ICPs), for which polypyrrole (PPy) doped with a mobile
charged dopants, such as iodide, triiodide, anion is shown as an example. The incorporation of dopant ions results in an increase in
and perchlorate, are spatially removed the total volume of polymer, while the exclusion of dopant ions results in a volume
from the quasi-one-dimensional conduc- –
decrease. A represents anions incorporated into the PPy during synthesis, n is the number

tion pathway.14,15 The resistive backscat- of pyrrole units for each A incorporated, and n ¥ m is the number of PPy repeat units that
tering of electrons is reduced, and this determines the molecular weight of the polymer.

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microfibers that, unlike natural fibers, do


not absorb moisture, but rather pass it
through by a wicking effect that makes
them more comfortable to wear. It is even
possible to maintain constant body tem-
perature using phase-change technology
such as Outlast Adaptive Comfort ®. Phase-
changing materials (PCMs) absorb, store,
and release heat as the material changes
phase from solid to liquid and back to
solid. A microencapsulation process is
used to capture small amounts of phase-
change material in a polymer shell so that
it is permanently enclosed and protected.
These microencapsulated PCMs, devel-
oped by Outlast Technologies Inc. and
Figure 1. (a) Transmission electron microscopy images of polyaniline/camphor sulfonic acid called Thermocules®, can then be applied
(PANi/CSA) nanofibers cast from suspension after dialysis. Inset shows a twisted fiber. as a finishing on fabrics or infused into
(b) Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) secondary electron images of a thin film of fibers during the manufacturing process.
PANi/CSA deposited on glass from suspension. Inset shows a cross-sectional view of the Through the use of nanotextiles, clothes
film on the glass substrate.8 are adapting to their wearers, meeting
their needs, and maintaining their com-
fort. The adidas_1 running shoe uses
the textile, for example, spray-coating brane of expanded poly(tetrafluoroethyl- sensors, a microprocessor, and a motor
TiO2 for biological protective materials. ene) (PTFE) that has pores of less than 1 mm to adjust its shock-absorbing characteris-
in diameter, allowing water vapor to pene- tics to the individual runner’s style,
Applications trate the material, but preventing the pas- pace, body weight, and running surface.28
Sports sage of liquid. To maintain the wearer’s Nike has also released a smart running
The sports industry has driven much comfort, it is important that sweat is shoe containing a wireless sensor that
research within the textile industry to help allowed to evaporate, maintaining the connects to an iPod with various playlists
improve athletic performance, personal body’s natural thermoregulatory function. to match the type of workout while
comfort, and protection from the elements. High-performance moisture-wicking fab- also tracking distance, time, pace, and
Synthetics that were once thought to be rics worn next to the skin transport perspi- calories burned.29 Textiles are engineered
inferior to natural fabrics now boast high- ration away from the body to the outside of to improve performance; for example,
performance characteristics. Numerous the garment where it can more quickly nanotech swimsuits for Olympic swim-
products designed to improve the comfort evaporate. This is achieved using synthetic mers have been developed to reduce drag
of the wearer are commercially available;
for instance, there are breathable water-
proof fabrics such as Gore-Tex ® and
moisture-management textiles that wick Table I: Properties and Applications of Nanoscale Materials Used to Improve
moisture away from the skin such as Textile Performance.
Coolmax®. Gore-Tex® fabric uses a mem-
Nano-Filler Properties/Applications
Carbon nanofibers Increased tensile strength
High chemical resistance
Electrical conductivity
Carbon black nanoparticles Improved abrasion resistance and toughness
High chemical resistance
Electrical conductivity
Clay nanoparticles Electrical, heat, and chemical resistance
Block UV light
Flame retardant, anticorrosive
Metal oxide nanoparticles Photocatalytic ability
(TiO2, Al2O3, ZnO, MgO) Electrical conductivity
UV absorption
Photo-oxidizing capacity against chemical and
biological species
Antimicrobial/self-sterilization
Carbon nanotubes 100¥ tensile strength of steel at one-sixth the weight
Figure 2. Cross-sectional SEM image Electrical conductivity similar to copper
of polyaniline–single-walled nanotube Good thermal conductivity
composite fiber.

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by using a biometric knitted construction injuries are common and may also be In addition to their application as strain
of nylon/elastane with v-shaped ridges used as a rehabilitation device following gauges, conducting polymers have been
that emulate a shark’s skin.30 The latest injury. demonstrated to function as pressure
developments integrate sensing capabili-
ties to provide instantaneous awareness
of the physiological condition of the ath-
lete, thus providing valuable information
about the athlete’s physical abilities, train-
ing status, athletic potential, and
responses to various training regimens.
There is a great demand for wearable sen-
sors to be used in the field for kinematic
analysis, monitoring of vital signs, and
biochemical analysis.31
Strain sensors made from piezoelectric
materials may be used in biomechani-
cal analysis to provide wearable kines-
thetic interfaces able to detect posture,
improve movement performance, and
reduce injuries.32 The conductivity of
these textiles is affected by stress and
strain applied to the fabric, which can be
used to assess physiological movements
that impose strain or pressure on the
material. Garments integrating piezoresis-
tive ICPs and conductor-loaded rubbers
with strain-sensing capabilities offer con-
tinuous monitoring of body kinematics
and vital signs.21,33–35 The advantage of
this approach is that the tactile and flexible
properties of the textile are maintained,
providing truly wearable fabrics.
Such devices may be used to teach
athletes the correct way to perform move-
ment skills by providing real-time feed-
back about limb orientation. Examples of
such devices are shown in Figure 3. Figure
3a shows a carbon-loaded elastomer-
sensorized garment developed at the
University of Pisa. The piezoresistive sen-
sors are fabricated on a Lycra®/cotton tex-
tile by masked smearing of the conducting
mixture, which consists of a silicone
matrix filled with carbon black powder.
The same polymer/conductor composite
is also used as material for the connection
tracks between sensors and an acquisition
electronic unit, avoiding the stiffness of
conventional metal wires. Figure 3b
shows the Intelligent Knee Sleeve, devel-
oped through a collaboration between the
Intelligent Polymer Research Institute and
Biomedical Science at the University of
Wollongong and CSIRO Textile and Fiber
Technology. It is a biofeedback device
using PPy sensors that monitors the
wearer’s knee joint motion during jump-
ing and landing to reinforce the correct
landing technique.34 The PPy-coated
fabric acts as a strain gauge, with a
wide dynamic range, and is connected
to a microcontroller that emits an audio Figure 3. (a) Carbon-loaded elastomer-sensorized garment for kinesthetic monitoring
tone when the knee bends beyond a developed at the University of Pisa. (b) The Intelligent Knee Sleeve is a biofeedback device
pre-set angle. The device was developed using PPy sensors that monitors the wearer’s knee joint motion. (Courtesy of CSIRO Textile
for sports where jumping-related knee and Fiber Technology.)

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sensors by combining them with com- lem with conventional clinical visits in body biochemical sensing within a textile.
pressible textiles. Polyurethane (PU) foam these cases is that they can only provide a While BIOTEX fabrics, as discussed pre-
coated with PPy sensors was developed brief window on the physiology of the viously, monitor the wearer’s health,44
at Dublin City University. The sensor patient;39 wearable devices offer the possi- ProeTEX fabrics monitor the surround-
remains soft, compressible, versatile, and, bility to monitor physiological signals ing environment to detect any potential
in contrast to conventional coated textiles, continuously in a realistic setting. This is risks. The project plans to develop a full
is sensitive to forces from all three dimen- vital for the future of the healthcare sys- system for firefighters and civil protection
sions. The PPy-coated PU foam has been tem, given the global aging population. workers plus a limited system for injured
used for developing a breathing monitor, There is a need to shift the focus of health- civilians. The wearable sensing and trans-
whereby the foam sample is incorporated care expenditures from treatment to pre- mission systems will be able to monitor
into a harness to wrap around the ribcage vention and wellness promotion.40 health, activity, position, and environ-
area. The movement of the ribcage during The EU has funded a number of inter- ment, with information relayed both to
breathing exerts pressure on the conduct- related, specifically targeted research the individual and also to a central moni-
ing foam, causing an increase in conduc- projects in this area. The WEALTHY toring unit.
tivity of the material. It has also been (Wearable Health Care System) and ICPs used for kinesthetic and physio-
integrated into the armhole of a shirt to MyHeart projects involve wearable textile logical monitoring, as discussed previ-
detect joint movements of the upper interfaces integrating sensors, electrodes, ously for assessing sports performance,
limbs, and smart insoles monitoring plan- and connections realized with conductive may also be used in the area of patient
tar pressure have been demonstrated for and piezoresistive yarns41,42 to tackle car- rehabilitation.45 These electroactive poly-
gait analysis applications.36,37 diovascular diseases, which are the leading mers, typically PANi and PPy, are used as
A new area of research that will have a cause of death in the Western world. The sensing devices and may also be config-
major impact for sports performance WEALTHY system is made up of a sen- ured as actuators. For this purpose, they
involves integrating chemical sensors into sorized cotton/Lycra® shirt that integrates are used as electrodes properly configured
textiles. The aim of the European Union carbon-loaded elastomer strain sensors within an electrochemical cell. By apply-
(EU)–supported BIOTEX (bio-sensing tex- and fabric bioelectrodes, enabling the mon- ing a potential, the ICP electrode changes
tile for health management) project38 is to itoring of respiration, electrocardiogram its dimension and works as a mechanical
perform real-time analysis of the various (ECG), electromyogram (EMG), body pos- actuator. Integration of such actuators
constituents in sweat. Research in this area ture, and movement. Electrodes, to detect within textiles would enable fabrics to
is unfortunately lacking, because of the ECG and EMG signals, are knitted using have motor functions, opening a new field
overwhelming focus on blood-based diag- stainless steel–based yarns, and a hydrogel of applications, particularly in the devel-
nostics. The approach being taken is to membrane is applied to improve contact opment of artificial muscles. For example,
integrate electrochemical and optical sen- and match impedance with the skin. New ICP actuators have been developed to
sors within a textile substrate, enabling the products coming onto the market for simi- assist the insertion of cochlear implant
direct collection of sweat from a large body lar applications include the SmartShirt by electrodes, in which a prototype actuator
surface area. The target analytes include Sensatex™ and the Life Shirt ® system by made of a bilayer PPy actuator is able to
sodium, chloride, pH, sweat rate, and VivoMetrics®, offering continuous ambula- steer or bend the electrode in a control-
sweat conductivity in addition to monitor- tory monitoring systems. lable manner.46 Although the current actu-
ing cardiac and respiratory functions.38 There is also potential for monitoring ation force and mechanical energy density
This is of particular interest in sports appli- emotional, sensory, and cognitive activi- of electroactive polymers are relatively
cations where rehydration strategy plays a ties, as demonstrated by the MARSIAN low, there is potential to develop rehabili-
critical role in the recovery process after system (Modular Autonomous Recorder tative aids and orthotic limbs.46,47
exercise. It is important not only to replace System for the measurement of Auto- Textiles have acted as a second skin for
volume losses due to sweat, but also elec- nomic Nervous system). The system protection and appearance, whereas smart
trolytes. These factors are highly variable includes a smart glove with sensors for textiles have the potential to emulate and
among individuals, and current tech- the detection of the activity of the auto- augment the sensory system of the skin by
niques are impractical, involving sweat nomic nervous system, which is respon- sensing external stimuli such as proximity,
patches that must be sent to a laboratory sible for the body’s involuntary vital touch, pressure, temperature, and chemi-
for analysis. BIOTEX is developing a wear- functions. The glove contains noninvasive cal/biological substances. Lumelsky et al.
able system incorporating a fluid handling sensors to measure physiological parame- describe a large-area, flexible array of skin-
platform based on moisture-wicking fab- ters such as skin temperature, skin electri- like sensors with data processing capabili-
rics and nonwoven superabsorbent tex- cal conductance, and skin potential. ties that can be used to cover the entire
tiles. The sensing elements are integrated A microsensor (0.45 mm) is integrated into surface of a machine, such as a robotic sys-
within the fabric’s fluidic channels to mon- the glove to monitor skin temperature, tem or even part of a human body.48 For
itor the sweat composition. Control elec- and electrodes measure the skin’s electri- conditions such as diabetes mellitus,
tronics and wireless data transmission cal activity. The initial approach to elec- where the patient loses sensation in the
allow real-time analysis of the signal and trode integration was to embroider limbs, or for bedridden patients, pressure-
give feedback to the wearers regarding commercially available silver/silver chlo- sensitive fabrics may aid in assessment
their well-being, making individuals more ride electrodes into a hairnet glove, while and warning to reduce the occurrence of
aware of their personal healthcare needs. a recent prototype uses a 3D structure pressure ulcers. PPy foam pressure sen-
made of Kapton® copper foil (150 mm sors have been demonstrated for this pur-
Healthcare thick) with electrodes covered in silver.43 pose.9 With nanotechnologies, smart
The interest in smart textiles for health- One of the more recent endeavors textiles may provide a haptic interface, that
care arises from the need to monitor within the EU roadmap is the ProeTEX is, a touch-sensitive alternative to skin.
patients for extensive periods because of project (advanced e-textiles for firefighters Novel functionalities in textiles are of
rehabilitation or chronic illness. The prob- and civilian victims) to perform on- course not limited to personal apparel.

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Home furnishings may be enlisted into tive index. This affects the propagation of control of MP3 players. The initial applica-
ubiquitous sensing within smart homes the transmitted light signal, which can be tion was for snowboarding jackets to
for telemonitoring elderly, convalescent, measured using optical detection tech- provide ease of access to the control but-
or isolated individuals.49,50 This aligns niques. El-Sherif et al. demonstrated this tons. Eleksen has also developed a fabric
with the “continuity of care” concept that using a thermochromic agent, segmented keyboard for personal digital assistants
wearable technologies bring through polyurethane-diacetylene copolymer, and (PDAs) that can be rolled out, easily
monitoring patients at home in comfort- a photochemical polymer, PANi, as stored, and transported (Figure 4).
able surroundings. cladding agents.54 Another producer of electronic textiles,
Textronics, develops fabrics that can
Military/Security Fashion/Lifestyle warm, illuminate, conduct, and sense.
There is a need for real-time infor- The development of high-tech advanced One of their recent developments is the
mation technology to increase the protec- textiles for specific applications, such as NuMetrex heart rate monitoring sports
tion and survivability of people working extreme sports, eventually finds its bra, which incorporates conductive knit-
in extreme environmental conditions way to street fashion, where designers ted sensors that link wirelessly to a heart-
and hazardous situations. Performance are allowed the creativity of experiment- rate-monitoring watch.
improvements and additional capabilities ing with these new emerging materials. Nanocoatings now offer advanced pro-
would be of immense benefit to defense Microfibers, for example, were initially tection to improve hygiene and clean-
forces and emergency response personnel. developed for space and military applica- liness. To add antibacterial properties,
The SmartShirt by Sensatex™ was initially tions, and are now used in sportswear, nano-sized silver, titanium dioxide, and
developed by the Georgia Tech Research interior fabrics, and fashion.55 zinc oxide12 are used. Metallic ions and
Corporation and for military applications. We have become exceedingly reliant on metallic compounds display a certain
The T-shirt functions like a computer by technology; for instance, at any one time, degree of sterilizing behavior. It is consid-
means of optical and conductive fibers the typical person may be carrying an ered that part of the oxygen in the air or
integrated into the garment. The optical MP3 player, a laptop computer, a mobile water is turned into active oxygen by
fibers are used to detect bullet wounds, phone, a computational wristwatch, and a means of catalysis with the metallic ion,
pinpointing their exact location, and vari- digital camera. The components of these thereby dissolving the organic substance
ous sensors are used to monitor the body’s devices are being continually miniatur- to create this sterilizing effect. By using
vital signs during combat conditions.51 ized and, with methods such as thin-film nano-sized particles, the number of parti-
The Institute for Soldier Nanotech- technology, the electronics are becoming cles per unit area is increased, and thus,
nologies (ISN) is an interdepartmental more flexible. Such advancements are antibacterial effects can be maximized.
research center at the Massachusetts enabling the technology to integrate more Antimicrobial coatings are widely applied
Institute of Technology. The ISN’s research easily into our lives and onto our clothes. to socks in order to prohibit the growth of
mission is to use nanotechnology to dra- Eleksen has developed fabric touch pads bacteria, but their uses also extend from
matically improve soldier survival. The integrated into jackets for more accessible wound dressings to home furnishings,
intention is to secure a lighter, faster, more
agile force with a heightened awareness of
its environment and potential threats.
Wireless networking enables medics to
monitor the health status of the soldier.
The ultimate vision of the battlesuit of the
future is a bulletproof jumpsuit, no thicker
than ordinary spandex, that monitors
health, eases injuries, transmits data auto-
matically, and enables medics to conduct
remote triage of combat casualties to help
them respond more rapidly and safely.52
The chemical-sensing properties of con-
ductive polymers coated onto woven fab-
ric materials were investigated to detect
hazards that may endanger the health of
the wearer. Low-ppm detection limits
were demonstrated for toxic gases such as
ammonia and nitrogen dioxide as well as
the chemical warfare simulant dimethyl
methylphosphonate (DMMP).53 Fiber-
optic sensors with modified cladding
materials are suitable for detecting haz-
ards on the battlefield and may be easily
integrated into soldiers’ uniforms. The
original cladding material is replaced with
a chemical agent or environmentally sen-
sitive material on a small section of the
fiber. The modified cladding material may
be sensitive to different environmental
conditions, causing a change in the refrac- Figure 4. Elektex fabric-based keyboard (30 ¥ 11 cm; weight, 65 g). (Courtesy of Eleksen.)

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carpets, and clothing.56 Another innova-


tion for such purposes is superhydropho-
bic self-cleaning surfaces. This was first
inspired by the natural cleanness of plant
leaves such as the lotus leaf. Water coming
in contact with a superhydrophobic sur-
face (contact angle, >150∞) forms nearly
spherical droplets. Contaminants, either
inorganic or organic, adhere to the water
droplets and are removed from the sur-
face when the water rolls off. Nano-Tex
has a range of products using such coat-
ings to resist spills, repel and release
stains, and resist static.57 These textile
enhancements become inherent to the fab-
ric, improving the performance and dura-
bility of everyday apparel and interior
furnishings.
Although technology may be hidden
through invisible coatings and advanced
fibers, it can also be used to dramatically
change the appearance of the textile,
giving new and dazzling effects. Luminex ®
is a fabric with fiber-optic strands woven
into it, which are then illuminated using
light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Luminex ®
has been incorporated into glowing
clothes, safety garments, handbags, furni-
ture, and even a wedding dress. Another
recent development is the Lumalive fabric
from Philips, featuring flexible arrays of
colored LEDs fully integrated within the
fabric (Figure 5). These light-emitting tex-
tiles can carry dynamic messages, graph-
ics, or multicolored images. Based on
concepts of color and light therapy, bright-
ness and the color appearance of light58
are thought to affect mood; these textiles
are designed to enhance the observer’s
mood and positively influence his or her
behavior.59

Conclusions
Developments in smart nanotextiles
may affect many aspects of our daily lives
and produce clothing that is contextually Figure 5. Lumalive textile garment from Philips features flexible arrays of colored
aware. New materials integrating novel light-emitting diodes fully integrated into the fabric. (Courtesy of Philips.)
technologies enable passive, noninvasive
sensing of wearers and their environs.
A major problem in wearable computing specialized application before becoming a ing is becoming contextually aware and is
at present is the interconnections, with more generally available consumer prod- learning to adjust to suit the individual
conventional silicon and metal compo- uct. The topics covered here show that this needs of the user.
nents being highly incompatible with the is an area of interdisciplinary research that
soft textile substrate. By integrating tech- must involve materials research, sensor References
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Smart Nanotextiles: A Review of Materials and Applications

7. T.F. Otero, in Handbook of Organic Conductive 37. S. Brady et al., in Body Sensor Networks 2006, Shirley Coyle received
Molecules and Polymers, H.S. Nalwa, Ed. (Wiley, J.A. Paradiso, G.-Z. Yang, Eds. (IEEE Computer her BEng degree in elec-
Chichester, UK, 1997) p. 549. Society, Los Alamitos, CA, 2006) pp. 31–34. tronic engineering in 2000
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9. S. Brady, D. Diamond, K.T. Lau, Sens. 39. M. Engin, A. Demirel, E.Z. Engin, M.
sity, Ireland. She then
Actuators, A 119, 398 (2005). Fedakar, Measurement 37, 173 (2005). worked in the Informa-
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Polymers: Intelligent Materials Systems (CRC Biomed. 9, 325 (2005). Division at Siemens Ltd.
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11. A. Knobloch, A. Manuelli, A. Bernds, Trans. Inf. Technol. Biomed. 9, 337 (2005). ing her PhD studies in the field of biomedical
W. Clemens, J. Appl. Phys. 96, 2286 (2004). 42. R. Paradiso, C. Belloc, G. Loriga, N. Taccini, engineering. The focus of this research was to
12. J. Chen et al., Electrochim. Acta 49, 329 (2004). in Personalised Health Management Systems, C. develop a brain–computer interface using opti-
13. R.R. Mather, J. Wilson, in Intelligent Textiles Nugent, P.J. McCullagh, E. McAdams, A. cal brain imaging techniques. She received her
and Clothing, H.R. Mattila, Ed. (Woodhead, Lymberis, Eds. (IOS Press, Amsterdam, 2005)
Cambridge, UK, 2006) p. 2. pp. 9–16.
PhD from the National University of Ireland
14. J.P. Pouget et al., Mol. Crys. Liq. Cryst. 117, 43. F. Axisa et al., in Proc. 26th Annu. Int. Conf. Maynooth in 2005.
75 (1985). IEEE EMBS (IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Since 2002, Coyle has been studying for a
15. R.H. Baughman, B.E. Kohler, I.J. Levy, C. Biology Society, Piscataway, NJ, 2004) pp. diploma in fashion design at the Grafton
Spangler, Synth. Met. 11, 37 (1985). 2161–2164. Academy of Dress Designing. Her current
16. S. Kivelson, A.J. Heeger, Synth. Met. 22, 371 44. J.-C. Bouvier et al., BIOTEX Project, “Use research interests combine her biomedical engi-
(1988). and technical requirements for all applications,” neering background with a long-standing
17. S. Roth, Hopping Transport in Solids (Elsevier www.biotex-eu.com/pdf/Biotex_wp2_del2_1_ interest in apparel design to develop wearable
Science, 1991). v1d_public.pdf (accessed April 2007). sensors and smart textiles for healthcare man-
18. D. Bowman, B.M. Mattes, Synth. Met. 154, 45. A. Tognetti et al., J. Neuroeng. Rehabil. 2, 8
29 (2005). (2005).
agement. She is now a full-time researcher at
19. A. Mazzoldi, A.D. Santa, D.D. Rossi, in 46. D. Zhou et al., Synth. Met. 135, 39 Dublin City University, working on the
Polymer Sensors and Actuators, Y. Osada, Ed. (2003). European Union’s BIOTEX Project, a
(Springer, 2000) pp. 207–244. 47. Y. Bar-Cohen, “Electroactive Polymers as European-wide multi-partner research effort to
20. J. Wu, D. Zhou, C.O. Doo, G.G. Wallace, Artificial Muscles: Capabilities, Potentials, and merge sensing capabilities with fabrics and
Synth. Met. 155, 698 (2005). Challenges,” in Robotics 2000 and Space 2000, textiles.
21. S. Brady, S. Coyle, D. Diamond, in Mater. W.C. Stone, Ed. (American Society of Civil Coyle can be reached at the Adaptive
Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 920, X. Tao, G. Tröster, D. Engineers, Reston, VA, 2000) pp. 188–196. Sensors Group, National Centre for Sensor
Diamond, Eds. (Materials Research Society, 48. V.J. Lumelsky, M.S. Shur, S. Wagner, IEEE Research, School of Chemistry, Dublin City
Warrendale, PA, 2006) pp. 85–90. Sensors J. 1, 41 (2001).
22. A. Della Santa, D.D. Rossi, A. Mazzoldi, 49. G. Demiris et al., Stud. Health Technol. Inf.
University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland; tel.
Smart Mater. Struct. 6, 23 (1997). 124, 45 (2006). 353-1-700-7657, fax 353-1-700-8021, and
23. S. Hara, T. Zama, W. Takashima, K. Kaneto, 50. B. Allen, Med. Eng. Phys. 18, 203 (1996). e-mail shirley.coyle@dcu.ie.
Polym. J. 36, 933 (2004). 51. B. Firoozbakhsh, N. Jayant, S. Park,
24. Y. Wu, G. Alici, G.M. Spinks, G.G. Wallace, S. Jayaraman, in Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Multimedia Yanzhe Wu graduated
Synth. Met. 156, 1017 (2006). and Expo (IEEE Signal Processing Society, with a degree in biochem-
25. W. Lu, B.R. Mattes, Synth. Met. 152, 53 (2005). Piscataway, NJ, 2000) pp. 1253–1256. istry from the University
26. V. Mottaghitalab, G.M. Spinks, G.G. 52. Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies of Anhui, China, in 1998,
Wallace, Polym. J. 47, 4996 (2006). Web site, http://web.mit.edu/isn/index.html and received his master’s
27. L. Qian, J.P. Hinestroza, J. Text. Apparel, (accessed April 2007).
Technol. Manage. 4, 1 (2004). 53. G.E. Collins, L.J. Buckley, Synth. Met. 78, 93
degree in information and
28. Adidas Innovation Zone Web site, www. (1996). communication technol-
adidas.com/innovation zone (accessed April 54. M.A. El-Sherif, J. Yuan, A. MacDiarmid, ogy from the University of
2007). J. Intelligent Mater. Sys. Struct. 11, 407 (2000). Wollongong, Australia, in
29. Nike Plus Products Web site, www.nike. 55. S. Braddock, M. O’Mahony, Techno Textiles 2001. Wu recently earned his PhD degree
com/nikeplus/ (accessed April 2007). 2: Revolutionary Fabrics for Fashion and Design under Gordon Wallace at the University of
30. M. O’Mahony, S. Braddock, Sportstech: (Thames & Hudson, London, 2005). Wollongong, where he worked on inherently
Revolutionary Fabrics, Fashion, and Design 56. T. Ramachandran, K. Rajendrakumar, R. conducting polymers to develop sensors and
(Thames & Hudson, London, 2002). Rajendran, Text. Eng. 84, 42 (2004). actuators for cochlear implants. He is now a
31. R. Shishoo, Textiles in Sport (Woodhead, 57. Nano-Tex press release, “Nano-Tex Unveils
Cambridge, UK, 2005). Anti-Static, Stain Release, Moisture-Wicking
full-time researcher at Dublin City University,
32. G. Pigos, Sport J. 9, 1 (2006). Fabric Enhancements,” www.nano-tex.com/ working on the European Union’s BIOTEX
33. F. Carpi, D. De Rossi, IEEE Trans. Inf. news&media/Feb16_2005.pdf (February 16, Project.
Technol. Biomed. 9, 295 (2005). 2005, accessed April 2007). Wu can be reached at the Adaptive Sensors
34. B.J. Munro, J.R. Steele, T.E. Campbell, G.G. 58. H. Juslén, “Improving Health and Group, National Centre for Sensor Research,
Wallace, Stud. Health Technol. Informatics 108, Healthcare with Light,” Business Briefing: School of Chemistry, Dublin City University,
271 (2004). Hospital Engineering and Facilities Management Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland; tel. 353-1-
35. P. Xue, X. Tao, M. Leung, H. Zhang, in (Touch Briefings, London, 2005) pp. 1–2. 700-5670, fax 353-1-700-8021, and e-mail
Wearable Electronics and Photonics, X. Tao, Ed. 59. Philips Research press release, “Philips richard.wu@dcu.ie.
(CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2005) pp. 81–104. illuminates IFA2006 with production-
36. L.E. Dunne, P. Walsh, B. Smyth, ready Lumalive textile garments,” www.
B. Caulfield, in Proc. 10th IEEE Int. Symp. research.philips.com/newscenter/archive/
Wearable Computers (IEEE Computer Society, 2006/060901-lumalive.html (accessed April
Los Alamitos, CA, 2006) pp. 65–68. 2007).

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King-Tong Lau is cur- De Rossi can be reached at Interdepartmental 4221-3127, fax 61-2-4221-3114, and e-mail
rently a senior research Research, Center “E. Piaggio,” University of gordon_wallace@uow.edu.au.
chemist in the National Pisa, Via Diotisalvi, 2, 56100 Pisa, Italy; tel.
Centre for Sensor Research 39-050-2217053, fax 39-050-2217051, and Dermot Diamond holds a
at Dublin City University, e-mail d.derossi@ing.unipi.it. PhD degree from Queen’s
Ireland. He received his University Belfast and was
PhD degree from the Gordon Wallace has been vice president for research
University of London in a professor at the Univer- at Dublin City University,
2001 on electrochemical sity of Wollongong, Aus- Ireland, from 2002 to
biosensor development. His research interest is tralia, since 1990. He has 2004. He has published
in the area of molecular recognition and the published more than 380 more than 140 peer-
development of low-cost, deployable sensor refereed publications and reviewed papers in inter-
devices for chemical, environmental, and food- two editions of a mono- national science journals, is a named inventor
quality monitoring. graph on inherently con- on 12 patents, and is co-author and editor of
Lau can be reached at the Adaptive Sensors ducting polymers for two books, Spreadsheet Applications in
Group, National Centre for Sensor Research, intelligent materials systems. He has super- Chemistry Using Microsoft Excel (1997)
School of Chemistry, Dublin City University, vised 47 PhD students to completion of their and Principles of Chemical and Biological
Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland; tel. 353-1-700- degrees. Wallace currently serves as the execu- Sensors (1998), both published by Wiley. His
7926, fax 353-1-700-5503, and e-mail tive research director of the new Australian research interests range from molecular recog-
kim.lau@dcu.ie. Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence nition, host–guest chemistry, ligand design
for Electromaterials Science. He holds a DSc and synthesis, electrochemical and optical
Danilo De Rossi gradu- degree from Deakin University (2000). chemical sensors and biosensors, to lab-on-
ated with a degree in chem- Wallace is a fellow of the Royal Australian a-chip devices; sensor applications in envi-
ical engineering from the Chemical Institute (RACI) and received the ronmental, clinical, food quality, and process
University of Genoa in inaugural Polymer Science and Technology monitoring; the development of fully
1976. From 1976 to 1981, Award from RACI in 1992. Wallace has been autonomous sensing devices; wireless sensors;
he was a researcher at honored with an ARC QEII Fellowship (1991), and sensor networks. He has numerous inter-
the Institute of Clinical an ARC Senior Research Fellowship (1995), national collaborations in Europe, the United
Physiology of the Italian and an ARC Professorial Fellowship (2002). States, and Australia, and is particularly
National Research Council He was awarded an ETS Walton Fellowship by interested in developing the potential of ana-
(CNR) in Pisa, Italy. Since 1982, he has been Science Foundation Ireland in 2003 and in the lytical devices and sensors as information
working in the School of Engineering at the same year was elected fellow of the Australian providers for wireless networked systems.
University of Pisa, where he is a full professor of Academy of Technological Sciences and Diamond can be reached at the Adaptive
bioengineering and president of the Biomedical Engineering. He received the RACI Stokes Sensors Group, National Centre for Sensor
Engineering Teaching Track. Since 1999, he has Medal for Research in Electrochemistry and Research, School of Chemistry, Dublin City
also been an adjunct professor of materials sci- was elected fellow of the Institute of Physics University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland; tel.
ence at the University of Wollongong, (U.K.) in 2004. In 2006, he was awarded an 353-1-700-5404, fax 353-1-600-7995, and
Australia. His scientific activities are related to ARC Federation Fellowship. e-mail dermot.diamond.@dcu.ie.
the physics of organic and polymeric materials Wallace can be reached at the Intelligent
and the design of sensors and actuators for bio- Polymer Research Institute and ARC Centre
engineering and robotics. He is the author of of Excellence for Electromaterials Science,
more than 150 technical and scientific publica- University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave.,
tions and co-author of seven books. New South Wales 2522, Australia; tel. 61-2-

442 MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 32 • MAY 2007 • www/mrs.org/bulletin

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