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High-tech textiles pave way for glowing garments - Manchester Uni
27 Oct '07
3 min read
As clocks go back university unveils textile technology that could improve safety of cyclists, joggers and pedestrians on dark winter days
Researchers at The University of Manchester have developed high-tech battery-powered textile yarns that can be used to make clothing glow in the dark.
The yarns have been developed by The William Lee Innovation Centre (WLIC), based in the University's School of Materials - and have the potential to be incorporated into clothing worn by cyclists, joggers and pedestrians.
Current high visibility products - such as those used by emergency services, cyclists and highway maintenance workers - depend on external light sources to make them visible.
They can be ineffective in low light situations and require a light source from something like vehicle headlights to make them visible. This can lead to the wearer being seen too late.
The latest WLIC development, made from electroluminescent (EL) yarns, allows the wearer to be permanently visible and therefore improves personal safety.
EL yarn is a novel technology, which emits light when powered by a battery. Its development has been based on thin film electroluminescent technology.
The yarn consists of an inner conductive core yarn, coated with electroluminescent ink - which means it emits light when an electric current is passed through it - and a protective transparent encapsulation, with an outer conductive yarn wrapped aroundit.
Researchers at The University of Manchester have developed high-tech battery-powered textile yarns that can be used to make clothing glow in the dark.
The yarns have been developed by The William Lee Innovation Centre (WLIC), based in the University's School of Materials - and have the potential to be incorporated into clothing worn by cyclists, joggers and pedestrians.
Current high visibility products - such as those used by emergency services, cyclists and highway maintenance workers - depend on external light sources to make them visible.
They can be ineffective in low light situations and require a light source from something like vehicle headlights to make them visible. This can lead to the wearer being seen too late.
The latest WLIC development, made from electroluminescent (EL) yarns, allows the wearer to be permanently visible and therefore improves personal safety.
EL yarn is a novel technology, which emits light when powered by a battery. Its development has been based on thin film electroluminescent technology.
The yarn consists of an inner conductive core yarn, coated with electroluminescent ink - which means it emits light when an electric current is passed through it - and a protective transparent encapsulation, with an outer conductive yarn wrapped aroundit.
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