This series of reports from WTiN will provide an in-depth analysis of the diverse kinds of sensors that are either attached or embedded in to the fibre, yarn or fabric to create smart textiles.

Part I: This report focuses on pressure sensors, one of the earliest and most successfully commercialised micro devices to deliver sensing abilities. Capacitive and resistive sensors are two of the key pressure sensing technologies for the textile industry; both technologies, and a hybrid which is both combined, will be technically analysed. Insight will also be provided on flexible sensors as the technology is emerging in the textile industry.

The upcoming series will include the following: 

Part II: The key focus of this report is on other types of sensors, used for smart apparel, that have an alternate reaction to that of a pressure sensor. It can be classified that the sensors will all be performance based sensors such as, for instance, optical, chemical or temperature sensors. Like Part I, each of these sensors will be technically analysed in order to evaluate the sensors’ internal and external factors that can impact the sensors capability for a smart wearable and in this case, emerging developments will be explored.