Smart Textiles

The textile industry is also undergoing a technological revolution, which has resulted in the development of so-called smart fabrics, materials that offer innovative solutions that go beyond the functionalities of covering and warming us that conventional clothing has.

These textiles have the ability to respond to external stimuli such as temperature or humidity, modifying their properties to provide additional benefits to users.

From sportswear with integrated sensors to garments with the ability to eliminate bacteria, advances in this field have given rise to more functional fabrics.

A new future is dawning in the textile industry, where fashion and technology converge to improve our comfort, safety and well-being. How do these materials work and what applications do they have in today's market? Discover the fascinating world of smart fabrics below.

What is a smart textile?

Smart fabrics are textiles capable of perceiving and reacting to external stimuli. Thanks to the incorporation of advanced technologies, these textiles can offer functions that go beyond aesthetics and comfort.

Depending on their degree of interactivity, smart fabrics are divided into three categories:

• Passive: These are fabrics that react to stimuli in the environment without modifying their structure or behaviour. They function automatically without the need for user intervention. A common example is photochromic fabrics, which change colour when exposed to UV light, or hydrophobic fabrics, which repel water without being altered.
• Active: Unlike passive fabrics, these not only react but also adapt to external conditions. An example is thermo-regulating textiles, which adjust the wearer's body temperature according to the climate, allowing the garment to retain heat in winter or keep cool in summer.
• Ultra-intelligent: As well as responding to stimuli, they can learn and adapt over time. These textiles can incorporate sensors and algorithms that analyse data in real time, adjusting their operation in a personalised way. A notable example is that of biometric textiles, capable of monitoring vital signs such as heart rate or blood oxygen levels.

Types of smart textiles

Depending on their properties and functions, intelligent fabrics can be classified into several categories:

Functional textiles and cosmetics

• Microcapsules and cosmetotextiles: These incorporate substances such as perfumes, essential oils, vitamins or active ingredients that are gradually released through friction or body heat. These textiles are used in sleepwear, sportswear and wellness products. They are used in pyjamas and sportswear, and can offer moisturising or relaxing effects. Examples include stockings with aloe vera to keep the skin moisturised or fragranced clothing.

Textiles that react to the environment.

• Chromatic or chameleon textiles: They change colour according to different factors:

- Photochromic: They react to ultraviolet light, darkening when exposed to the sun.
- Thermochromic: They change hue according to body or ambient temperature.
- pH-chromic: They alter their colour according to the pH of sweat, and can be useful in medical clothing to detect health imbalances.

• Shape-memory materials: These are made up of smart polymers that recover their original structure after being deformed. They are ideal for orthopaedic garments or high-performance sportswear.

High-tech textiles

• Electrical conductors: They integrate conductive fibres that allow the transmission of electrical current. They are used in sportswear and biometric monitoring, such as T-shirts that record heart rate or socks that analyse the user's posture.
• Textiles with integrated electronics: They incorporate sensors, Bluetooth connectivity and microchips that allow connectivity with mobile devices. Jackets with adjustable heating, touchscreen gloves for interacting with screens and LED-lit clothing for cyclists or night-time runners are just a few examples.
• Nanotechnology applied to textiles: This is used to improve the properties of fabrics, making them more resistant, self-cleaning and durable. This technology is key in work uniforms, protective clothing and high-end garments.

Medical and protective textiles

• Antimicrobials and UV protectors: Designed to reduce the proliferation of bacteria and fungi, they are very useful for hospital and sports clothing and for baby clothes. In addition, some fabrics block ultraviolet rays.
• Smart medical clothing: allows for the controlled release of medication through microcapsules in the fabric or the constant monitoring of vital signs. Some fabrics can measure glucose levels through sweat, which is useful for diabetic patients, while others detect the presence of infections or aid in wound healing.

The implementation of technology for the development of smart fabrics represents a true revolution in the textile industry, with applications ranging from fashion to healthcare.

As research progresses, these materials will continue to evolve, offering innovative solutions that will increasingly improve our quality of life.

You may also be interested in:

• Yarn Trends