Wearable sensing fabrics have great potential for applications such as human-computer interaction, motion monitoring, and human shape reconstruction. However, existing fabric sensors tend to ...sacrifice wearing comfort for sensing functionality, which restricts their application scenarios and hampers long-term usability due to poor wearability. To address this challenge, a novel fabric structure was designed to work with a flat knitting machine to realize a single-ply and knit-only textile pressure-sensing matrix. The sensing fabric has a sensing range of 0.255 to 35.65 kPa, with a maximum sensitivity of 0.72 kPa −1 . Although its sensing performance fluctuates under fatigue testing, washing and drying, folding, and stretching operations, it still supports use. It also has thermal comfort performance comparable to a regular T-shirt. We produced a pair of sensing shorts containing 256 sensing units and collected a total of 224,483 frames of data containing 18 postures from 6 participants. Posture classification using ResNet-18 achieved 88.2% accuracy.
Textile-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) represent a groundbreaking advancement in the field of wearable technology for supplying sustainable energy. In this study, a knitted dual-faced ...textile-based TENGs was proposed to address the existing challenges of low energy output and poor wearability. The fabric, composed of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) yarn and silver-plated yarn, features a unique intermeshed structure that enhances the corresponding TENG's output performance by increasing the contact area between the tribo-material and electrode. Such textile-based TENG have demonstrated an ability to attain open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, and power density up to 133.8 V, 21.9 μA, and 0.53 W/m2, respectively. More importantly, the dual-faced triboelectric fabric exhibited exceptional damage insensitivity and shape tailorability, making it sustainable for long-term use in wearable devices. The textile-based TENG can power various microelectronic devices, including LED arrays and calculators, showcasing their potential as reliable energy sources for wearable electronics. Furthermore, a real-time wireless direction indication system integrated into a smart garment was developed, demonstrating the TENG's versatility in applications beyond energy harvesting, potentially in navigation assistance. The advent of the dual-faced triboelectric fabric signifies an important step forward in wearable technology, promising enhanced performance and expanded applications in both energy collection and sensing technology.
Display omitted
•High-performance textile-based triboelectric nanogenerators was developed.•Intermeshed tribo-material and electrode boosted the electric output performance.•The triboelectric fabric exhibited unique damage insensitivity and shape tailorability.•The triboelectric fabric displayed promising applications in wearable technology.
All the surgical bandages, extracorporeal devices, and prosthetic implants that we use today are the product of textiles. Because they conform well to the body and feel good against the skin. Woven, ...non-woven, and knitted are only textile fabric construction methods. Among all, the knitted structures are more breathable and simpler to produce. In the previous two decades, knitting technology has advanced, now it is simple to create customized flexible and cost-effective biomedical devices. Knitted structures are increasingly used in implantable textiles like hernia and heart patches etc. due to their comfort, optimal strength, and ability to ravel from the last loop. The porous structure of knitted fabrics is particularly well suited for the transport of drugs. Since the knitted pattern, yarn effect, and dimensional parameters of fabric are all displayed in the 3D simulation software like Apex-lll and M-1, there is no longer any need to use actual fabric for quality control purposes, which greatly aids in reducing fabric waste. This article offers recent research on knitted fabrics including their advantages, disadvantages and future solutions that could be achieved by using advanced knitting manufacturing technologies. In addition, it calls attention to the significance of knitted structure in biomedical applications which may motivate further research into materials of this kind in the future.
Knitted fleece fabrics with superior comfort characteristics are chiefly focused in winter wear. Thermal characteristics are an area of interest in selecting fleece clothing. However, environmental ...hazards also need to be focused. Fleece clothing is worn in cold areas having higher ultraviolet rays exposures. Hence the clothing should have the capability of combating environmental challenges. The study focuses on engineering variable fleece structures with different materials. Cotton, nylon, and polypropylene fleece patterns have been knitted using fleece 1:1, 3:1, and 2:2 patterns. The designs vary by tuck and miss stitch configurations in the fleece course. Comfort characteristics were determined through air permeability, moisture management, and thermal resistance tests. Performance criteria were evaluated in terms of pilling resistance and ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) investigation. Structures and materials owing better comfort characteristics with satisfactory UPF have been predicted as safe clothing in UV affected zones, that is, fleece 3:1 possessed the optimum comfort characteristics and UPF simultaneously; however, the mechanical performance was better for 2:1 and 1:1 fleece fabric due to less amount of miss stitch floating yarns.
There is a considerable need for research to fully exploit the application potential of adaptive fiber-reinforced plastics based on functional materials, in particular with regard to ...industry-specific solutions. Hence, this paper presents the development of a locomotion mechanism based on fiber-elastomer composites with shape memory alloys. In order to attain this goal, shape memory alloys were textile-technically integrated into the reinforcing fabric in the weft direction using flat knitting technology. The functionalized reinforcing fabrics was infused by the vacuum assisted resin infusion with an elastomeric silicone matrix system. Later, an extensive electro-thermal-mechanical characterization of the fiber-elastomer composites by varying electrical power caused by the varying voltage amplitude was completed. The fiber-elastomer composites were then shaped in a cross-country ski as an example of locomotion mechanism. Finally, the forward movement of the cross-country skiers was realized by activating the shape memory alloy in the left and right leg.
Seamless garments reducing the cutting and sewing processes are created using seamless knitting technology. This type of garment, being less dependent on labor, is knitted as a whole and makes a ...great contribution to improving production efficiency. More importantly, seamless garments are more comfortable and natural compared with those styles produced by traditional technology. However, the techniques of seamless garments are huge and complex, making the pattern design process more difficult. In addition, the seamless knitting technology has great restrictions to the styles with rich shapes due to the limitation of the devices. Therefore, how to knit more complex styles using seamless knitting technology still faces great challenges. For these reasons, this study extensively investigated the knitting principle of seamless garments and proposed six knitting models for different kinds of garments. Then the transformation methods from 3D style to 2D pattern were explored respectively based on the knitting characteristics of each model. Finally, by package programming in the SDS-ONE APEX design system, the actual knitting for six types of garments was conducted on the computerized flat knitting machine. The results showed that different types of seamless garments have significant differences in the pattern design and the approaches proposed above can make different kinds of garments using seamless knitting technology.
Integrated 3D spacer weft-knitted fabrics with innovative structures due to their unique features and design flexibility, is expected to have high functionality as composite reinforcements. This ...paper is focused on preparing geometrically profiled composites panels reinforced with such novelty known textile structures made of E-glass fibers. 3D spacer knitted fabrics with four different cross-sections were infused by epoxy resin through the vacuum infusion molding process. Adjustments of variable parameters during the both knitting and composite manufacturing process, were being precisely concerned in order to provide highly-qualified and mechanically-improved composite panels. Good appearance together with acceptable mechanical performance of the samples revealed that these newly-designed thermoset composites have high potential to be replaced by the conventional products. This result was also confirmed via bending and compression tests applied to the samples. It was concluded that the produced panels have higher compression resistance than the conventional woven and warp-knitted spacer composites.
In this paper, two most representative hernia repair meshes were prepared with 0.15 mm polypropylene monofilaments via warp knitting technology, and their mechanical properties were tested in various ...aspects. Meanwhile, a focused investigation of the boundary conditions between the sutures and the mesh was simulated in several directions innovatively. The results revealed that the hernia repair mesh with different structures has different mechanical properties, and the mechanical properties of standard hernia repair mesh were superior to that of lightweight hernia repair mesh. In order to reduce foreign body sensation and postoperative adverse reactions significantly, the lightweight hernia repair mesh may be preferred. At the same time, the mesh should be placed in the proper direction to comply with the anisotropy of abdominal wall during operation. The area where the hernia mesh is in contact with the sutures was vulnerable to damage. The curved or wrinkled area of the hernia repair mesh increases with the increase of load, which may lead to poor tissue growth, a strong inflammatory response, and even the recurrence of the hernia. Therefore, the hernia repair meshes with different structures may require unique suture techniques. And they also should be further treated prior to implantation. This study provides a theoretical basis for development, utilization and improvement of meshes. Further research will focus on the biomechanical properties of the mesh after implantation in vivo studies.
Smart home monitoring systems are essential for home security. Creating monitoring devices that are intrusion-resistant, scalable, and environment-compatible remains a challenge. In this study, we ...have developed a soft, warm, and mass-producible triboelectric carpet fabric for motion monitoring and user recognition. A specifically designed conductive chenille yarn is utilized as the inlay yarn, which is inserted into the highly elastic 1 × 1 rib courses using knitting weft inlay technology to produce the chenille triboelectric carpet fabric. The carpet fabric generates a maximum power density of about 2942 μW/m2 in the contact-separation mode, which could power small electronic devices by harvesting energy using simple circuit management. Additionally, it can be used for behavior recognition and user identification with the support of machine learning. Four behaviors including slow walking, walking, jogging and jumping are classified successfully, and four different subjects are recognized. The carpet fabric is flexible, warm, inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and compatible with the living environment, showing great potential in smart monitoring systems for home security.
Display omitted
•Development of a scalable, comfortable, and warm triboelectric chenille carpet fabric.•Successful identification of diverse behaviors and individuals combined with machine learning.•Promising solution for enhancing home security monitoring.
Currently, smart shoes are not as common as other wearable devices such as fitness trackers or smartwatches. However, with the continuous improvement in sensor and IOT technologies, it is expected ...that shoes with smart capabilities will catch up with the other popular wearables. The emergence of 3D knitting and its subsequent application in footwear manufacture has revolutionized the shoe manufacturing process. The use of knitwear allows for shoe parts such as the upper or the sole (insole, Strobel sole, midsole and/or outer sole) to be tailored with specific areas having different characteristics and providing different functions with low production effort. This study presents the design and manufacture of a knitted smart sneaker for cadence mensuration. The specified part of the sneaker is knitted with silverplated polyester yarn to serve as a strain sensor. During the weight-bearing and release phases of the foot, while walking, this strain sensor is stressed and relaxed by this oscillatory phenomenon thus allowing footstep data to be measured. Stride estimate tests were carried out and the results established that strides taken by a user can accurately be correlated to the readings of the system. This study is the first to develop a smart shoe-sensing system where the sensor is inherently embedded within the shoe upper.
