![]() Smart textiles and the armed forces author: Lauren Gaynor When you think of the most dangerous jobs there is, what do you think of? If you’re like me you would probably think of the People who are in the armed forces for example the army, navy and the air force. These people risk their lives every day and put themselves in lots of dangerous situations, so something that could potentially help save their lives seems like an amazing idea and something that should unquestionably be done. This is where smart textiles play a very important role in the future of the armed forces. There are new developments such as clothes that have tracking devices in them so that they are able to be easily tracked and found. This means that if you see that they are not moving or staying in one spot for to long that the people who are tracking them can send out help to them get them as soon as they can. This would be a perfect thing to have if unfortunately, a soldier was to be shot and needed urgent care to stop bleeding this could be given. Another new thing that they have developed is clothes that can alarm you if you come into contact with harmful gases or chemicals that could potentially be life threatening. “by adding this fabric to a protective suit, sensors can alert the user if a chemical is penetrating the hazardous-material gear” – Katherine Mirica who is an assistant professor of chemistry. (Katherine Mirica, 2017) This is done by using metal organic frameworks (MOFS) these work by forming a net like material that when it comes into contact with a chemical the chemical fills the holes and the net changes colour alarming the person that they are near a harmful chemical. One of the other most impressive and perhaps the most important new developments to the armed forces sector due to smart textiles is in the camouflage section. In the military one of the most important things when out in battle is to not be seen. This can determine whether you stay or go home. New smart textiles are being made to help people stay hidden, this is done by their uniforms changing colour due to their body temperatures and their surroundings. References: Katherine Mirica, 1/11/2017. New soft e-textiles, (online) access https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171101091948.htm Idst smart clothes of the future, 12/03/2017 (online) access: http://idstch.com/home5/international-defence-security-and-technology/technology/materials/military-transforming-wearables-smart-textiles-sensing-energy-harvesting-communication/ Technavio global smart textiles market for military, dec 2016 (online) access:https://www.technavio.com/report/global-defense-global-smart-textiles-market-military-2016-2020 Images: 1st image https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171101091948.htm 2nd image https://www.cnet.com/news/wearables-at-war-how-smart-textiles-are-lightening-the-load-for-soldiers/
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