The functions of textiles are evolving beyond fulfilling basic human needs to offering more advanced functions. Smart textiles are one type of functional material that interacts with the wearer and responds to environmental conditions and stimuli. They show promising applications in areas such as health, sports, military, and personal protective equipment for first responders.
Dr. Hang Liu has been conducting research focused on developing smart fibers and fabrics for wearable sensing applications. This work involves various manufacturing technologies, including fiber spinning to produce conductive fibers and 3D printing to fabricate conductive fabrics. Various potential applications of the developed materials are being explored, such as conductive fibers for chemical sensing, heat-resistant cellulose-based flexible fibers for high-performance protective gear, and conductive fabrics for human posture monitoring and motion detection.
For more information:
- 3D printing technology improves comfort, durability of ‘smart wearables’ | WSU Insider | Washington State University
- New conductive, cotton-based fiber developed for smart textiles | WSU Insider | Washington State University