Search Results (44)

In this article, the authors present the impact of laser treatment on the structure of magnetic composite microfibers. Changes occurring on the surface can have a significant impact on the conductive properties of functional materials produced on a micro- and nanoscale. The fibers presented are functional materials that gain technical applications when combined with other materials. In this case, we refer to the concept of textronics, i.e., the combination of textiles with electronics to create various types of flexible sensors. The authors performed microscopic analysis to observe the changes occurring in the materials. For this purpose, scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope were used. Full article

Biotextronics is a new field of knowledge that may help in treatment of lower urinary tract inflammations. These systems have many advantages; e.g., they allow mobility while using, are easy to use, and contain natural materials. While designed and created to be controlled via an app by the user, a doctor could have access to monitor the therapy and its frequency. It is possible to use individual functions in the application tabs: calendar, history, and an online preview. One such solution, a mobile form of a steam bath, is called BioTexPants (version 1.0). It is underwear with a biotextronics four-layer insert containing applied thyme essential oil with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. Six variants of the inserts were investigated with various ratios (1:1; 1:2, and 1:3) of EO to cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose. After heating the inserts to 40 °C, the presence of essential oil volatile compounds released from the inserts was investigated with the use of SPME and CG-MS on the day of their preparation and while in storage (after 7, 14, 28, and 56 days). It is known that thymol, as a main component of the essential oil (42.29%), has very strong antibacterial activity. Its presence was detected for 56 days during storage of all the insert variants. Other compounds of the EO known for their anti-inflammatory effects are carvacrol and α-pinene, which were also detected while storage for various variants of the inserts. Full article

Growing environmental awareness is resulting in new initiatives aimed at improving quality of life and minimizing the negative impact of manufactured goods on the environment. The European Union’s strategy to introduce a Digital Product Passport fits perfectly into this trend. According to current assumptions, the DPP will be based on QR codes or NFC technology, but the use of solutions operating in higher-frequency bands is worth considering. One such solution could be a UHF RFID tag. One of the sectors where the DPP will need to be used is the textile industry, and since the authors are conducting research on textronic RFID tags, they decided to test new solutions in this area, which could ultimately serve as a ready-made solution for the future. It was decided to use commonly available conductive fabrics, which can be successfully used to manufacture antennas on typical production lines in textile factories without the involvement of specialized RFID engineers. Since the effectiveness of the tag depends on the parameters of the antenna used, it is crucial to consider the impact of different fabrics on those parameters. As part of the article, the authors prepared model antenna samples made of various conductive fabrics, and then analyzed (through simulation and experimental studies) the effect of the fabrics used on the impedance of the model antenna. Obtained results confirm the thesis about the influence of different conductive fabrics on antenna parameters, especially in the case of the real part of the impedance. The final product (tag) works equally effectively regardless of the fabric used, but the impact of changes in its parameters is noticeable (read range values dispersion). Full article

This paper presents the research and numerical modeling of heat flow through a textile heat sink (THS). The aim of this research is to create a numerical model of a THS that not only simulates the thermal behavior of knitted fabrics, which are used to construct a THS, but also serves as a predictive tool for the heat flow coming from different devices, thus increasing thermal management safety. By integrating modeling tools with textile engineering, this study contributes valuable insights to the development of effective passive cooling solutions for textronics applications, e.g., in thermal management in the military or air space sectors. THS is a support tool for multilayer insulation (MLI) blankets in space satellites, used to maintain the insulation performance of MLI to retain the extremely low temperature of satellite sensors or fuel tanks. The textile radiator made of spacer knitted 3D fabric consists of monofilament yarns covered with aluminum. THS samples were made on the HD 6/20-65 EL machine of Karl Mayer, with the calibration number E12. Numerical modeling was performed using ANSYS software. The numerical simulations of the temperature gradient presented the heat flow for source temperatures of 50 °C and 70 °C for different values of air velocity. Full article

The integration of flexible electronics into textiles and smart products has revolutionized industries, enabling innovations such as wearable health monitors, interactive clothing, and energy-harvesting fabrics. However, the rapid growth of these technologies poses significant challenges for sustainability and circularity. This paper explores the concept of circular economy in the context of smart textiles and products containing flexible electronics. It highlights the technical, environmental, and economic challenges associated with their end-of-life management and proposes strategies to enhance circularity, including design for disassembly, advanced recycling technologies, and policy frameworks. The paper concludes with a discussion of future research directions to achieve a sustainable lifecycle for these advanced materials. Full article

Toxic materials are a threat in workplaces and the environment, as well as households. In them, gaseous substances are included, especially ones without any colour or fragrance, due to their non-detectability with the human senses. In this article, an attempt was made to find a solution for its detection in various conditions with the use of intelligent textiles. The approach was to perform modification on fifteen materials by screen printing using carbon nanotubes paste with expanded graphite and embroidery with stainless steel thread and then investigate their reaction with risky gases such as acetone, methanol and toluene. Four combinations of samples were tested: before tests, after the washing test and after the alkaline and acidic sweat contact test. Three materials can be highlighted. Para-aramid knitwear which reacted well to all tested gases. The biggest value of sensory percentage response was 144%. Screen-printed linen knitwear showed properly detecting skills after washing test for toluene. The biggest value of sensory percentage response was noted at 186%. The third most promising material was low surface mass cotton knitwear with embroidery which had a visible response at every stage of testing for acetone. The biggest value of sensory percentage response was 94% and the smallest one was 27%. For these three materials, repeated contact with harmful gases was tested. Simulations showed also repeated responses expressed in changes in surface resistance under changed conditions. After analysis, there is a possibility to create textile sensors for the detection of hazardous substances. Full article

The production of consumer electronics using electrically conductive materials is a dynamically developing sector of the economy. E-textiles (electronic textiles) are also used in radio frequency identification technology, mainly in the production of tag antennas. For economic reasons, it is important that the finished product is universal, although frequencies in radio systems have different values in different regions of the world. Therefore, the antenna bandwidth must be sufficiently wide so that the read range of the tag is maximally large for all frequencies of the specified band. The bandwidth of an antenna depends on its type and geometric dimensions, but this parameter can also be influenced by the way a given type of antenna is made. The authors prepared samples of embroidered RFID tag antennas for the UHF band using various types of embroidery. Then, its impedance and the read range of the tag were examined in order to determine the exact influence of the type of embroidery on the parameter of interest (antenna bandwidth). The results obtained during the research indicate the influence of different embroidery styles is present; however, that influence is not significant. Full article

The development of the field of textronics covers many directions, but the neediest are safety, medicine, and environmental protection. The solutions developed can combine the needs of many people from different social groups and ages. This leads to sustainable socio-economic, scientific and integrated approaches to sustainable development. The authors, seeing the growing need to monitor air pollution in order to increase safety, decided to develop textronic chemical sensors based on carbon-based inks and metal thread embroidery, sensitive to harmful gases and vapors based on textiles. This was to limit the production of subsequent sensors made in plastic housings containing difficult-to-recycle materials and replace them with sensors incorporated into everyday materials such as clothing, which will inform us about emerging threats not only in the place where a large plastic sensor is placed, but in every place at home, at work and outside where we will be. The authors assume that the sensors can be incorporated into clothing, e.g. work clothes, and can also be fastened from one piece of clothing to another. This increases their economic aspect and usability on a larger scale. Three materials of different composition were tested: cotton, polyester and viscose. These materials were selected based on their properties, namely the easier determination of their ability to achieve full circularity of the final product.Functional and mechanical tests of resistance to factors occurring during everyday use were carried out for the use of systems in clothing materials and to produce roller blinds and curtains. To examine the durability of the systems, electrical conductivity was checked before and after the tests. The results showed changes in resistance values after individual tests and during contact with harmful gases. Particularly noticeable are the differences between samples with embroidery and samples with inkjet paste applied. It was shown that the selected materials are suitable for the intended application, and selected modifications together with conductive materials show proper functioning in detecting harmful gases. This project demonstrates the possibility of creating chemical sensors based on printing techniques using carbon printing pastes and embroidery with a metal thread with silver on a textile substrate. Possible applications considering health and environmental aspects are presented. Full article

This study investigated the possibility of quantum effects arising from defects resulting from the use of textronic electroconductive thin films and evaluated their impact on control characteristics. A hybrid model, where the classical approach to determine stationary fields based on the boundary element method was combined with a quantum mechanical approach using nonequilibrium Green’s functions, was created. The results of conductance and transmission coefficient simulations for different types of defects in the studied structure and a wide range of temperatures assuming two different control modes are presented. Based on the results, the conditions for the occurrence of quantum effects on the surface of conducting paths containing defects were specified, and their impact on conductance in the quantum mechanical approach was estimated. Full article

The Bell Textron APT70 is a UAV concept developed for last mile delivery and other usual applications. It performs vertical takeoff and transition into aircraft mode for forward flight. It includes four rotor each with four rotating blades. A test campaign has been performed to study the effects of ice accretion on rotor performance through a parametric study of different parameters, namely MVD, LWC, rotor speed, and pitch angle. This paper presents the last experimentations of this campaign for the drone rotor operating in forward flight under simulated icing conditions in a refrigerated, closed-loop wind tunnel. Results demonstrated that the different parameters studied greatly impacted the collection efficiency of the blades and thus, the resulting ice accretion. Smaller droplets were more easily influenced by the streamlines around the rotating blades, resulting in less droplets impacting the surface and thus slower ice accumulations. Higher rotation speeds and pitch angles generated more energetic streamlines, which again transported more droplets around the airfoils instead of them impacting on the surface, which also led to slower accumulation. Slower ice accumulation resulted in slower thrust losses, since the loss in performances can be directly linked to the amount of ice accreted. This research has not only allowed the obtainment of very insightful results on the effect of each test parameter on the ice accumulation, but it has also conducted the development of a unique test bench for UAV propellers. The new circular test sections along with the new instrumentation installed in and around the tunnel will allow the laboratory to be able to generate icing on various type of UAV in forward flight under representative atmospheric conditions. Full article

Integration of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology with conductive textiles has greatly expanded the possibilities for creating smart devices that fit perfectly into the concept of the Internet of Things. The use of e-textiles for antenna manufacturing has enabled the development of a textronic RFID tag. Integration of such tags into products with often non-flat surfaces may result in exposure to changes in antenna geometry caused by bending. As a result, the antenna parameters may change, resulting in disruption of the entire tag operation. The authors, through simulation and experimental studies, analyzed the effects of bending the antennas of RFID tags operating in the HF (High Frequency) band. Full article

This article presents an innovative combination of textile electrical circuits with advanced capabilities of electronic RFID sensors, indicating the revolutionary nature of the development of textronics, which is used in various areas of life, from fashion to medicine. A review of the literature relating to the construction of textronic RFID identifiers and capacitive textronic sensors is performed. Various approaches to measuring capacity using RFID tags are discussed. This article focuses on presenting the concept of a capacitive sensor with an RFID interface, consisting of a microelectronic part and a textile part. The textile part is based on the WL4007 material, where antennas and capacitive sensors are embroidered using SPARKFUN DEV 11791 conductive thread. The antenna is a half-wave dipole designed to operate at a frequency of 860 MHZ. The microelectronic part is sewn to the textile part and consists of a microcontroller, an RFID-integrated circuit and a coupling loop, placed on the PCB. The embroidered antenna is coupled with a loop on the microelectronic module. This article focuses on presenting various designs of textronic electrodes, enabling various types of measurements. Article presents capacitance measurements of individual sensor electrodes, made using a measuring bridge and a built RFID tag. The sensors’ capacity measurement results are shown. Full article

The objectives of this study were to design, investigate, and compare different designs of coupling circuits for textronic RFID transponders, particularly focusing on magnetic coupling between an antenna and a chip. The configuration of the inductively coupled antenna module and the microelectronic module housing the chip can be varied in several ways. This article explores various geometries of coupling circuits and assesses the effects of altering their dimensions on mutual inductance, chip voltage, and the transponder’s read range. The investigation comprised an analytical description of inductive coupling, calculations of mutual inductance and chip voltage based on simulation models of transponders, and laboratory measurements of the read range for selected configurations. The results obtained from this study demonstrate that various designs of textile transponders are capable of achieving satisfactory read ranges, with some configurations extending beyond 10 m. This significant range provides clothing designers with the flexibility to select transponder designs that best meet their specific aesthetic and functional requirements. Full article

In the era of miniaturization of electronic equipment and the need to connect sensors with textile materials, including clothing, the processing of signals received from the implemented sensors becomes an important issue. Information obtained by measuring the electrical properties of the sensors must be sent, processed, and visualized. For this purpose, the authors of this article have developed a prototype of a data collector obtained from textronic sensors created on composite textile substrates. The device operates in a system consisting of an electronic module based on the nRF52 platform, which supports wireless communication with sensors using Bluetooth technology and transmits the obtained data to a database hosted on the Microsoft Azure platform. A mobile application based on React Native technology was created to control the data stream. The application enables automatic connection to the selected collector, data download and their presentation in the form of selected charts. Initial verification tests of the system showed the correctness and reliability of its operation, and the presented graphs created from the obtained data indicate the usefulness of the device in applications where measurements and recording of impedance, resistance, and temperature are necessary. The presented prototype of a data collector can be used for resistance, impedance, and temperature measurements in the case of textronic structures but also in other wearable electronic systems. Full article

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate progress in textronic UHF RFID transponder (RFIDtex tag) technology. The fundamental idea behind the RFIDtex tag design involves galvanic separation between circuits of the sewn antenna and the chip, which are electromagnetically coupled through a system of inductive loops. To advance the development of this concept, it is crucial to detect factors affecting the performance of the transponders. To achieve this goal, a mathematical model of the textronic UHF RFID transponder was developed. It involves relationships that describe the impedance of each element, the mutual inductance of the loops, and the chip voltage, and it enables the exploration of the influence of these variables on general parameters such as impedance matching and read range. Various analytical and numerical approaches were considered to obtain the value of the mutual inductance of the loops. The dimensions and geometry of the antenna, as well as the matching circuit in the microelectronic module, were taken into account. Based on the mathematical model, it was determined that mutual inductance strongly affects the chip voltage for frequencies higher than 800 MHz. The calculations from the mathematical model were compared with numerical simulations. Experimental studies were also conducted to investigate how the transponder performance is affected by either the distance between the centers of the loops or the conductivity of the threads used to embroider the antenna. The measurement results allowed us to conclude that even small imperfections in the manufacturing of the transponder, which slightly increase the vertical or horizontal distance between the centers of the loops, cause a dramatic decrease in the mutual inductance and coupling coefficient, significantly impacting the transponder’s performance. Full article