The new 3D carbon nanotube knitted smart textile is capable of generating a mechanical work capacity as well as a power output that is higher than that produced by human muscles. Its potential applications include smart textiles, robotics and sensors for lab-on-a-chip devices. This scalable fabric and can be produced in industrial quantities.
The study was conducted by researchers from the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES), University of Wollongong, Australia and University of Texas, Dallas under the leadership of Dr Javad Foroughi. It has been published in the ACS Nano journal.
“Our recent work allowed us to develop smart clothing that simultaneously monitors the wearer's movements, senses strain and adjusts the garment to support or correct the movement,” said Foroughi.
“Materials that can provide both sensing and response capabilities are the holy grail of intelligent materials research. This fundamental discovery will find widespread application,” said Prof. Gordon Wallace, director, ACES.
“We have already made intelligent materials as sensors and integrated them into devices such as a knee sleeve that can be used to monitor the movement of the joint, providing valuable data that can be used to create a personalised training or rehabilitation programme for the wearer,” added Foroughi. (KD)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India