Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
efficiency combined with small size, consumption of 15 times less power
than conventional antenna technology and synthesising their own radiation,
therefore requiring no power amplifier
75
. In some other cases, there are
electrotextiles in which the stiffness or colour of the fibres can be controlled
by applying an electrical load
76
.
8.4.7
Electrotextile research for the future
Basic yarn component development
Functional fibres, filaments and yarns are the basic building blocks of elec-
trotextiles. The textile industry has demonstrated a remarkable capability
to incorporate both natural and man-made filaments into yarns and fabrics
to satisfy a wide range of physical parameters which survive the manufac-
turing process and are tailored to specific application environments.
Electronic components can be fabricated within and/or on the surface of
filaments and can subsequently be processed into functional yarns and
woven into fabrics. Passive components such as resistors, capacitors and
inductors can be fabricated in several different manners. Diodes and
transistors can be made on long, thin, flat strands of silicon or formed in a
coaxial way. Progress has been made in the development of fibre batteries
and fibre-based solar cells. In addition, a variety of actuated materials
(piezoelectric, etc.) can be made into multiple long strands (filaments) and
subsequently be woven into fabric.
Textile circuits
Basic yarn components along with conventional filaments/yarns constitute
the feedstock of the weaving process. Selectively fed into a loom and manip-
ulated through an advanced textile manufacturing process, this feedstock
can be woven into a complex variety of designs that result in a structurally
sound, environmentally compatible fabric that provides electrical and
mechanical functionality. Electronic circuits can be formed from the selec-
tive interconnection of fibre components during the weaving process.
Device manufacturing computer-aided design
The electronics industry has demonstrated a remarkable ability to develop
computer-aided design (CAD) tools for developing complex integrated cir-
cuits and printed wiring-board products. The textile industry has demon-
strated a similar computer-aided design capability for the design and
development of advanced fabrics. Tailoring of existing electronic CAD and
textile CAD tools is required for the development of new electronic
