When clothing and electronics become one

Clothing that understands touch gestures, measures body values, activates digital services or provides light on request: Just a few examples for the many possibilities of printed electronics in the textile sector.

Whether printed sensors, displays, solar cells or complete control systems: Thanks to their enormous flexibility, printed electronics make it possible to equip textiles with completely new functions—enabling truly wearable electronics, like a bathrobe with heating functions, smart jewelry and smart shoe insole.

One approach is to integrate appropriate components into the respective piece of clothing. Through the use of conductive inks, it is also possible to print directly onto textiles. Further possibilities are opened up by the fibers: In addition to electrically conductive fibers, there are also materials being developed or already available that are piezoresistive or piezoelectric, act as transistors or capacitors, generate power from light or emit electric light.

Currently, a distinction is made between three classes of products. Passive smart functional textiles: They are limited to the mere collection of wearer or environmental data by means of a sensor. Active smart functional textiles: Using an integrated actuator functionality, they can react with certain actions to data and information detected by the sensor. Ultra-smart functional textiles: They can automatically adapt their behavior or characteristics to changing circumstances.