Textile-based sensors applications

Applications of textile-based sensors for sleep-monitoring... 

The state of the art in developing textile-based sensors extends from sensor fibres to over-coated yams and textiles, but without using a methodical approach. Therefore, a standardized tool that allows the development of textile-based sensors for different application fields has been created for textile manufacturers. It is called the smart 7-step tool, and it is described in Section 4.3. 

The development of a textile sensor and its interpretation of a specific application have been associated with many investigations into different conductive materials, which are lengthy and costly developing processes. Knowledge has already been generated on textile sensors, which now require an appropriate classification and stmc-ture. A classified catalogue, which allows a direct selection of textile-based sensor modules on the basis of measured values, will be presented in the second part of Section 4.3. 

The smart 7-step tool consists of seven steps to develop a textile-based sensor for a special application area and product with a certain functionality. It concludes a classified catalogue for textile-based sensors, which allows the textile manufacturers to use already existing textile-based sensors (see Figure 4.5). 

Benefits and conveniences are helping produce smart products. The catalogue on hand was designed according to VDl-guideline 2222, sheet 2, Compilation and application of construction catalogues of February 1982. Its purpose is to provide suggestions for the methodical use of textile-based sensors. 

The chain stitch, also known as the Ari stitch, has been found to be particularly interesting in the construction of textile-based sensors. The chain stitch is geometrically similar to crochet, which allows it to have very specific textile properties. A highly useful technique, the chain stitch is generally used for constructions such as kettle and moss embroidery. Because moss embroidery machines are built differently than traditional embroidery machines, careful attention must be given to select the correct machine for the end application. 

Depending on the application area, sensors from different production-method levels are combined in mie system. As a consequence, the textiles used for textile-based sensors must be adjusted carefully to the particular application to guarantee the system s proper functionality. 

This chapter has three main sections. The first section gives an overview of the current state of the art on textile electrodes and their working principles. Section 2.3 summarizes the advances in textile sensors. Finally, the third section concentrates on textile-based actuators for medical applications, including textiles used for heating, electroflierapy and artificial muscles. 

In this chapter, biomedical sensors for wearable computing including their measur-and and measured parameters are discussed, and then the available techniques for the textile-based body sensor networks design are considered. In order to demonstrate the potential benefits of the textile-based wearable wireless body sensor networks, recent development in wireless vital signals monitoring systems based on loT for health care and fitness applications are reviewed. 

Functional principle of textile-based piezoresistive carbon filament yarn sensors for application in a wind turbine blade... 

The sensors used for monitoring the movement and position of soldiers are based on GPS, MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) accelerometers and in some cases gyroscopes. These elements could be placed as small pockets on textiles for wearable applications (Zephyr, 2010). The mounting of these devices on flexible structures needs optimisation for comfort, robusmess and proper functioning. The position of soldiers may be detected and displayed by a graphic interface, such as that based on Google Earth software. The boots worn by soldiers can also be fitted with sensors to detect their position and measure their movement. 

Nocke A, Schroter A, Cherif C, Gerlach G (2012) Miniaturized textile-based multi-layta-ph-sensor for wound monitoring applications. Autex Res J 12(l) 20-22. doi 10.2478/... 

Numerous proposals of other applications are scattered throughout this book. To name but a few, CyD-based optical sensors, nanowires, and biosensors are presented in Sections 10.3 and 10.6 and in Table 14.3, respectively. In this chapter a few applications in food and drinks, in cosmetics and toiletry, in the textile and wrapping industries, and in agrochemistry are shown, while the applications of rotaxanes (discussed in Chapter 12) in molecular devices are briefly discussed at the end. 

Looking at the overview in Table 7.1 based on the level of embodiment, we can conclude that a large part of the services are based on proprioceptive data measured by the smart textile component, for example, all the applications (except for Zoll LifeVest) measure movement activity. Some applications also measure complex physiological data. The OMsignal shirt can extract breathing information and ECG measurements and the Owlet Smart Sock measures skin temperature and oxygen level. From all the examples it is clear that there are new services emerging because of the tremendous amounts of sensor data that can be collected from our body and our environment. 

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