![]() Essentially e-Textiles are intelligent textiles that contain a small microchip. Does this mean clothing will change in anyway or we will be wearing futuristic suits? To answer bluntly. No. As we move further into the age of technology we see several developments towards making your clothing as smart as your smartphone. We assume that for most of our lives we are in contact with textiles, unless you prefer the commando lifestyle. What if these developments could revolutionise the way we interact with textiles. This could be the electric shock bed-sheets connected to your alarm clock that kicks you up the behind in the morning, or even the wingspan shirt that can allow you to fly? (Okay maybe we are thinking a little outside the box). What if we were to say that the development of science and technology has created microfibers that could moderate your body temperature and possibly indicate to you, you’re sick or developing an illness. These microfibers have been developed to detect change without being affected themselves. Crazy right? According to TechNavio they believe the market will increase by 25% between now and 2022 with healthcare monitoring being the key demand. (Size, Size and WIRE, 2018) A senior analyst within TechNavo has said the main purpose of these products are ‘“The introduction of high-functional e-textiles is enabling in monitoring and improving the overall health of an individual. Moreover, these e-textiles are also used in personal protective equipment and apparels to reduce the extent of risks that users are exposed to and provide them with suitable environment-based external stimuli.’ (Size, Size and WIRE, 2018) Maybe this is what the science world has been waiting for, a collaboration with the tech world to advance medicine. Think of it this way, 10 years ago operations on organs or treatments of serious illness were not as advanced, now to medical professionals it has become second nature. Or 10 years ago when you were using your MySpace or Bebo page and not Facebook or Instagram. The collaboration of these two areas I think, could change the way we think and live. Based on the market shares and market size the investment and evolution of ideas to practical products continues. It is hard to imagine in 10 years’ time what the modern world will look like as we move toward the 22nd Century. There could be endless opportunity for growth and development, only time will tell if these products stand a chance in an ever-changing time. Author: Killian Morris
Refrences: Size, F., Size, F. and WIRE, B. (2018). Key Findings of the Global E-textile Market|Technavio.[online]Businesswire.com.Availableat:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180201006048/en/Key-Findings-Global-E-textile-Market-Technavio(Accessed11Feb. 2018). Koleilat Research Group at Dalhousie University. (2018). Koleilat Research Group at Dalhousie University. [online] Available at: https://www.koleilatresearchgroup.com/light-interactive-and-power-textiles (Accessed 11 Feb. 2018). Textilemag.com. (2018). Smart textiles – Textile Mag. [online] Available at: https://www.textilemag.com/tag/smart-textiles/ [Accessed 11 Feb. 2018]
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorKillian Morris Archives |