Electronic textiles

Smart wearable systems are characterised by their ability to automatically detect the activity and behavioural status of the users, as well as the situation around them, and to use this information to adjust the system’s configuration and functionality, whilst e-textiles are an emerging technology and have attracted attention because of their various applications in the military/defence field, sports, healthcare, fashion, and wearable technology. This issue of Textile Progress offers an extensive examination of the current landscape of e-textiles, focusing on their types, conductive materials, fabrication methods, applications, and the challenges and futures facing e-textiles. Regarding fabrication methods, this review shows that an e-textile can be developed using conductive components and conductive materials via fibre-spinning (wet, melt, and electro spinning) incorporated by weaving, knitting, printing, coating or embroidering, and by conductive adhesives. It also acknowledges the main challenges that need to be addressed in fabrication so as to utilise the full potential of e-textiles including washability, seamless fabrication, weight and flexibility, cost, and being powered in such a way as to be self-driven. Possible futures of smart e-textiles are discussed and gaps in the research are identified.