TecInTex: Technology Integration into Textiles: Empowering Health and Security
Future personal mobile systems consist of a communication and computing hub - e.g. a Smart Phone - which ensures the continuous and on-line connectivity. The personalization of this communication node requires the connection to sensing capabilities close to the human body, which detect the user's context, be it the activity, motion, health or the mental and social behaviour.TecInTex aims at the development of truly textile-based advanced (electrical or optical) fibers incorporating sensors, signal transmission or other active components based on nanotechnology. The project will combine the competences and technologies of internationally accounted research groups at ETHZ, CSEM, EMPA, Swiss Paraplegic Center (Nottwil), University Hospital Zurich (USZ). The expected results cover a family of new sensorized and functional fibers, which will allow in situ measurements of body functions like continuous ECG monitoring and biological species in body proximity, approved fabrication processes and working prototypes dedicated for healthcare, rehabilitation and prevention.
The overall scientific objective Solutions for sensor fibres and fabrics will be achieved by:
* Textile-electronic-fibers (e-fiber) providing point-to-point connection inside the textile fabrics
* Multi-electrode fiber allowing the integration of electronic circuitry into textiles
* Polymeric optical fiber (o-fiber) being sensitive to changes in the contacting liquid environment for bio-sensing applications
* Inter-fiber connections between e- and o-fibers using on-textile transducer
* Sensor yarns consisting of the e- and o-fiber
* Thin-film sensors fabricated on flexible polymer stripes to weave into the fabric, for measuring temperature and pressure distribution in the fabric
The overall technical objective Intelligent biomedical clothes comprises:
* Functionalised fabrics using weaving and stitching of sensor fibers, yarns and stripes
* Qualifying the sensor fabrics concerning their electrical, mechanical, wearable and reliable performances: protection, washability, comfort
* Design and manufacturing of two medical devices - 'NIRS in Stockings' and 'Underwears for Paraplegic People' - both consisting of the investigated sensor fabrics
* Field trials providing information about the wearability of functional fibers and fabrics close to the human body, and about the user's perceiption of functional garments
The approach follows the textile path: from functional fibres, stripes and yarns to functional fabrics and demonstrator applications. The complementary expertise within the consortium covers the complete textile path from fiber design to medical garment.
TecInTex has received wide-spread publicity in the Swiss press, including articles in Le Temps and the Neue Zürcher Zeitung.
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