Smarten up garments through knitting

Abstract

Smart textiles are a growing and fascinating field with enormous potential in the field of wearable electronics: shirts with integrated electrodes, socks stimulating the blood circulation or heating clothing are just a few examples of wearable, smart textile products. Most often, the technology of choice for on-the-body-worn smart textiles is knitting as it results in stretchable and, hence comfortable garments. This presentation explores the knitting technology in respect to smart textiles giving an overview of current research activities as well as commercially available products on the market. It further intends to foster the transfer of research approaches into business applications as well as to develop new challenging research ideas.