Smart Textiles, where future is promising!

24 May '05

6 min read

Avantex 2005 once more turns the spotlight on the current potential of the European textile industry. It features products from around 40 exhibitors that not only underline the increasing importance of 'smart' and 'intelligent' textiles, but also emphasise how competitiveness can only be guaranteed through the interdisciplinary partnership between science and industry.

The focus is on the functionalisation of fibres, filaments and textiles, as well as their combination with micro-system technology. Both contribute in large measure to product optimisation in terms of work-wear and protective clothing.

Yarns that conduct electricity, innovative spacer fabrics, external membranes or textiles with anti-microbial properties serve to increase functionality and provide greater comfort.

These and other subjects will be dealt with in depth through the accompanying Avantex Symposium (6 – 8 June 2005 and associated lectures. On 8 June 2005 there will be a special feature on Workwear/Protection.

Data transfer
The next generation of 'smart' textiles will be ever more pliable and, as a result, both more comfortable and resilient. The reason is elastic, electrical connections, such as those developed by W. Zimmermann GmbH & Co. KG (Germany) for example.

The construction is based on an elastic core, which, just like the thin metal wires, is covered by a textile sheath.

Now there is also the possibility of fully incorporating sensors, communication systems and conductive, washable backbones into the textiles, which promise to be resistant to creasing or stretching.

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