Japan develops new piezoelectric fabrics that turn clothes into electronic devices

The next generation of devices will be embedded in the clothes, and the researchers have done it. With the support of the new interface, people and machines will go closer. New equipment will change the design of the clothes, such as putting the camera into the clothes.

Several research groups are working on it, and they want to put wearable sensors and touch-activated technology into their clothes. Kansai University in Osaka, Japan, is also working hard to develop the first generation of piezoelectric fabrics.

This type of fabric has a conductive carbon fiber core, a piezoelectric poly-L-lactic acid fiber yarn and a polyethylene terephthalate intermediate sheath; and a conductive fiber protective cover on the outside.

These material components play a key role in the connection and function of new clothes.

Piezoelectric braided ropes generate electrical signals that are generated by the stimulation of 3D motion. When a user wears a new fabric, there are a variety of movements, such as bending and twisting. Not only that, the coaxial cable fabrics are intertwined with each other and become piezoelectric braided ropes. It acts as an electromagnetic shield to increase sensitivity. The protective barrier is important and necessary so that the clothes are not disturbed by the environmental noise of the device (such as a mobile phone). It is important to remove electromagnetic interference, and only the technology to ensure the use of clothing works perfectly.

Chief researcher Yoshiro Tajitsu said in an interview with the magazine: "Our research goal is to develop functional clothing, sometimes related to electronic fabrics." When it comes to the future of technology, he added: "We believe that with human-machine equipment, Users can communicate with external devices in a natural way without being restricted or blocked by complex movements."

Yoshiro Tajitsu also said that electronic fabrics must be comfortable and stylish. If you want to convince users to buy clothes, this is a necessary step. The researchers used a new fabric to weave three traditional Japanese decorative knots (aka Kame, Kicchyo and Awaji), and the Japanese used these decorative knots to make kimonos for women.

The Kame and Kicchyo decorative knots produce a powerful signal that turns into electrical energy, enough to make the sensor work, and the phone takes a selfie, just twisting the decorative knot of the clothes.

From a fashion standpoint, new technologies can be put into health devices, such as key body signals used to monitor patients.