Introduction
The original and main function of textiles was to protect our body from environmental conditions like sunrays, cold wind, rain etc. Later on, aesthetic as well as comfort properties came to play a role in clothing. In the new generation of textiles has arisen smart and interactive textiles. These smart textiles help to keep us safe in any extreme environmental conditions, it protects and monitors, sometimes helps to cure injuries or diseases.
Definition
The term “Smart Textiles” refers to a broad field of studies and products which extends there functionality and there use. Smart Textiles are defined as textile products such as fibers, filaments, and yarn which are woven, knitted or non-woven which can interact with the environment or wearer. The combination of textile with electronics which is all known as e-textiles can be applicable to the development of smart material.
“Smart textiles are the fabrics that have been developed with new technologies that provide added value to the wearer”.
Smart and interactive textiles
Smart textile is the material which can react to the environment. These are the fabrics which can enable digital components and electronics in itself. Pailes-Friedman of the Pratt Institute states that “what makes smart fabrics revolutionary is that have the ability to do many things that traditional fabrics cannot, including communicate, transform, conduct energy and even grow”. The smart textile can sense and react to environmental conditions or stimuli from mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, magnetic or other sources. Smart textiles must contain three components i.e. sensors, actuators and control units. Smart textile presents a challenge in several fields such as the medical, sports, military and aerospace.