Team develops washable touchless textile technology

A team of researchers from Nottingham Trent University, Germany’s Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, and Italy’s Free University of Bozen-Bolzano created the washable and durable magnetic field sensing electronic textiles, which they said paves the way to transform use in clothing.

In a new study published in Communications Engineering, the researchers reveal how flexible and highly responsive magnetoresistive sensors can be placed within braided textile yarns compatible with conventional textile manufacturing.

In a statement, corresponding author Dr Theo Hughes-Riley, based in Nottingham Trent’s Advanced Textiles Research Group, said: “Electronic textiles are becoming increasingly popular with wide-ranging uses, but the fusion of electronic functionality and textile fabrics can be very challenging.

“Electronic textiles have evolved and now rely on soft and flexible materials which are robust enough to endure washing and bending, but which are intuitive and reliable.”

The textile can be operated by the user across a variety of functions through the use of a ring or glove which would require a miniature magnet.

The sensors are integrated within the textile, allowing the position of the sensors to be indicated using dyeing or embroidering, acting as touchless controls.

It is claimed the technology can be integrated into clothing and other textiles and can work underwater and across weather conditions.

The researchers added that it is not prone to accidental activation, unlike some capacitive sensors in textiles and textile-based switches.

By integrating the technology into everyday clothing people would be able to interact with computers, smart phones, watches and other smart devices, transforming their clothes into a wearable human-computer interface.

The technology could be applied to areas such as temperature or safety controls for specialised clothing, gaming, or interactive fashion – such as allowing users to use simple gestures to control LEDs or other illuminating devices embedded in textiles.

The study involved demonstrating the technology on a variety of uses, including a functional armband allowing navigational control in a virtual reality environment, and a self-monitoring safety strap for a motorcycle helmet.

It is thought to be the first time that washable magnetic sensors have been unobtrusively integrated within textiles to be used for human-computer interactions.

“Our design could revolutionise electronic textiles for both specialised and everyday clothing,” said lead researcher Dr Pasindu Lugoda, who is based in Nottingham Trent’s Department of Engineering. “Tactile sensors on textiles vary in usefulness as accidental activation occurs when they rub or brush against surfaces. Touchless interaction reduces wear and tear. Importantly, our technology is designed for everyday use. It is machine washable and durable and does not impact the drape, or overall aesthetic appeal of the textile.”