EIT week38-1 Textiles and Fabrication Technologies

Textiles and Fabrication Technologies

Overview

• Course: Engineering Interaction Technologies
• Professor: Michael Wessely, Interactive Matter Lab

Introduction to Smart Textiles

• Development: Incorporation of robotic fibers, conductive yarns, and interactive features into textile design.
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• Key Innovations:
  • 2021 Omnifiber—robotic fibers that enhance textiles with programmable capabilities.

Fabrication Techniques

• Traditional Methods:
  • Knitting, weaving, embroidery, and needle punching are foundational techniques.
• Advanced Computational Tools:
  • 2019: Knitting Skeletons—a computer-aided design tool for knitting.
  • 2021: Development of low-cost Jacquard looms that enhance personal handweaving capabilities.

Modern Textile Technologies

• Innovative Methods:
  • 2017: Rapid Liquid Printing for quick and versatile textile manufacturing.
  • 2019-2021: Developments in 3D-printed fabrics and 3D weaving with curved ribbons.

Making Textiles Interactive

• Feedback Mechanisms:
  • State Change Feedback (Re-Programmable)
  • Sensing Feedback: Includes capacitive, resistive, and inductive sensing techniques.
  • Mechanical Feedback: Innovations that allow textiles to interact and respond to environmental stimuli.

Embedded Electronics in Textiles

• Historical and Current Applications:
  • 1998: The Musical Jacket—early integration of textile interfaces and electronics.
  • 2020s: Advancements in embedding sensors and conductive elements to create responsive and interactive textiles.

Sensing Mechanisms

• Capacitive Sensing: Recognizes touch and object interactions on fabric surfaces.
• Resistive Sensing: Used for applications like pressure sensing in textiles.
• Inductive Sensing: Allows for interaction with textiles through magnetic fields.

New Prototyping Techniques

• 2020: In-Situ Polymerization and Rapid Iron-On methods that facilitate quick customization and prototyping of textiles.
• Future Prospects: Potential for FiberCircuits by 2025, which could revolutionize textile circuit integration.

Applications and Practical Implementations

• Interactive Sensing Textiles: Including products like KnitUI and various touchless and gestural input systems.
• Wearable Technology: Enhancements through embroidered wearable speakers and sensory feedback mechanisms.

Visual and Mechanical Feedback

• Visual State Change: Utilization of materials like PhotoChromeleon and thermochromic textiles which change appearance based on environmental conditions.
• Mechanical Feedback: Innovations like ClothTiles and Biologic which react to environmental stimuli or user interactions to change shape or texture.

Educational Component

• Hands-On Experience: Utilization of vinyl cutters and other lab equipment to create multi-touch pads and other interactive textile projects.