Interactive Textiles: New Materials in the New Millennium. Part 1

Abstract

The development of Interactive Textiles (INTEXT) is a relatively new and extremely promising trend in the textile industry. An INTEXT material is one that can respond intelligently to an environmental stimulus, such as changing color when electrically charged or releasing heat at a given temperature. This article reviews current applications of INTEXT technologies and identifies possible future applications in military and civilian markets. Based upon these applications and associated benefits, it appears that INTEXT concepts will be one of the most significant advances in textiles in the coming decades.