A survey on SMART fabrics and interactive textiles

Citation

Stylios, G.K. (2006), "A survey on SMART fabrics and interactive textiles", International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, Vol. 18 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijcst.2006.05818caa.001

A survey on SMART fabrics and interactive textiles

SMART is one of the most important fields of textiles and clothing and is developing at a rapid rate for products and end uses much wider than clothing and apparel for many industrial and commercial applications. Strong signposting in diverse fields of aerospace, automotive, civil engineering, medical and military indicates rapid development and long-term market capitalisation.

One of the latest and most credible reports on “SMART fabrics and interactive textiles” SFIT has just come out of the USA[1] and its findings are very enlightening. Although this particular study is focusing on applications utilizing electrical stimuli, it nevertheless illustrates important marketing and R&D directions for the wider field of SMART textiles.

The global market has reached $304.0 million in 2005 and it is expected to more than double to $642.1 million by 2008, with a yield of a compound annual growth rate of 27 per cent, as seen in Table I

The value chain of SMART textiles starts with enabling materials such as:

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  fibre blends with metals, polymers and nanotechnologies;

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  functionality enabling components such as electronics; and

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  fibres such as electrically conductive fibres.

These materials become components and are embedded into yarns and fabrics to make products such as; cell phones and MP3 players, keyboards, speakers and solutions, products and applications such as; antimicrobial, conductive, luminescent, sensing, shape changing and surface switching for entertainment, healthcare, sportswear, industrial and environmental, medical and transportation for a variety of end-users such as; government and military, medical and health, consumer and retail, transportation and in other industrial/commercial diverse uses. The R&D of most of these areas is reported by academe and industry in conferences, journals and networks such as the www.smartextiles.net

The products that are being offered in the market today are mostly clothing, fabrics including non-wovens, electrically conductive textiles and nanotechnologies.

The major drivers in the market are the following:

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  health and survival; patients, solders and extreme sports, for monitoring and control;

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  military and medical to save lives; and

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  huge potential in industrial and commercial markets, but R&D is relatively slow.

Despite these obvious advances, however, it is evident that the industry is conservative in supporting new SMART product development. This slow product uptake maybe for the following reasons:

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  durability; SMART products are questioned for not being as durable as is the norm for conventional equivalent;

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  performance and other features for SMART textiles are difficult to warrant;

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  price for SMART textiles is relatively high, much higher than traditional but more durable and better performing products; and

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  comfort and design fashion is lacking in general from SMART textiles.

In accordance with the study of VDC, the major inhibitors by most companies are the cost which in commercial terms could be up to six times higher than in the case of the conventional textiles. This is due to the cost of materials which is compounded into the high commercial pricing. Another important inhibitor is the lack of standards. The industry is too young and fragmented and has yet to develop and police a robust and effective study for standards. A unified consortium for standards is essential and should be formed for establishing them for the provision of confidence in the market.

IJCST recognising the importance of SMART textiles, will contribute to its promotion and development by a special issue dedicated to SMART textiles and clothing later in the year and welcome technical paper findings for publication. Finally I would like to welcome Nancy Rolph to our editorial team and to thank Vicky Williams for all her hard work in supporting our journal and to wish her all the best in her new role in Emerald Publishing.

Note1.Venture Development Corporation,www.vdc-corp.com

G.K. StyliosEditor in Chief