Textile Institute of Pakistan

History of Textiles
Course Code: TXDG - 203
2nd Hourly
Group Assignment
Report on: TECHNICAL TEXTILES
TDT-02
Submitted to: Sir Hassan-uz-Zafar

Group Members:

Aleem-Ul-Hassan
Aaqib Hasnain
Namrah Nazir
Contents
Technical Textiles.......................................................................................................................................3
Introduction.............................................................................................................................................3
Agrotech:.................................................................................................................................................4
Buildtech:................................................................................................................................................4
Geotech:..................................................................................................................................................5
Hometech:...............................................................................................................................................5
Medtech:..................................................................................................................................................5
Mobiltech:...............................................................................................................................................5
Protech:...................................................................................................................................................6
Sportech:.................................................................................................................................................6
Clothtech:....................................................................................................................................................6
Size changing shirts.................................................................................................................................6
Smart shoes.............................................................................................................................................6
Lumalive clothes.....................................................................................................................................7
Pressure censors......................................................................................................................................7
Power Shirts............................................................................................................................................9
Disposable Slippers...............................................................................................................................10
Making Of Technical Textiles:..................................................................................................................10
Mechanical properties...............................................................................................................................11
Flexibility:.............................................................................................................................................11
Sewability:.............................................................................................................................................11
Washability:..........................................................................................................................................11
Applications of Technical textiles.........................................................................................................12
Future Prospects:.......................................................................................................................................12
Technical Textile in Pakistan.....................................................................................................................12
SUMMARY..............................................................................................................................................13
CONCLUSION:........................................................................................................................................13
References:................................................................................................................................................14
Picture References:...................................................................................................................................15

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 Technical Textiles

Introduction
Technical Textiles explores an interesting part of art and design. The technology that defines our
21st century and it is way of life. There are new textiles for fabrics that shrink, expand to fit,
developed from carbon, steel, glass, ceramics etc. Textile technology has developed so many
good ideas in these last five years. Technical textiles have now become truth and uncountable
new ones have been arrived.

A trend deserving particular attention is that in which large numbers of simple, cheap processing
elements are embedded in environments. These environments may cover large spatial extents, as
is typically the case in networks of sensors, or may be deployed in more localized constructions,
as in the case of electronic textiles.

E-textiles, also known as electronic textiles, are fabrics that can function electrically as
electronics and behave physically as textiles which enable computing, digital components and
electronics to be embedded in them. Part of the development of wearable technology, they are
referred to as intelligent clothing or smart clothing that allow for the incorporation of built-in
technological elements in everyday textiles and clothes

The greatest invention in textile and fashion industry, along with several other fields, is the use
of technology with textiles. The strengths and special properties of the fields of designing,
fashion, electronics, physics, engineering and medicine all combined together as one makes these
textiles much more durable, stronger and aesthetically appealing than ever before. With the
combined efforts and innovations from these fields nothing is impossible or unachievable, only
imagination is the limit.
"Our clothing has the potential to play a very different role going into the future, there are people
all over the world engineering all sorts of different functionality into clothing, from sensing
things to doing things, to self-cleaning, all sorts of things."(Dr Richard Helmer)
Each new invention in technical textiles (TT) has its own charms and functionality. Every
creation is a symbol of extreme creativity and innovation on its own. TT is being used in a vast
variety of fields. On the basis of their uses they are divided in twelve categories from which
some are discussed below:

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Agrotech:
Textiles used in Agriculture are termed as agro textiles. The essential properties required are
Strength, elongation, stiffness, porosity, and bio-degradation, resistance to sunlight and
resistance to toxic environment. The applications includes all activities concerned with the
growth and harvesting of live products and foodstuffs, such as gardening and land scaping,
agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and in fences.

Figure 1: Agrotech

Buildtech:
Textile and composite materials used in the construction of buildings, dams, bridges, tunnels and
roads. Glass, polypropylene and acrylic fibres are used to prevent cracking of the concrete,
plastic and other building materials. Adhesive like epoxy resins also used in the textile
reinforcement. Canopy is also an architectural projection comprises of a rigid structure over
which a covering is attached. Fabrics used for roofing needs some special quality like whether
resistance, UV resistance .A range of Coated fabrics are used for roofing purpose. In Seol, Koria,
Gieger engineers Inc. has engineered Teflon coated roof over a play ground with a capacity of
64000 seats stadium is one of the example for new technocrats vision.

Figure 2: Buildtech
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Geotech:
Woven and Nonwoen textile materials used by the civil engineering industry to provide support,
stability, separation and drainage at or below ground level. The application areas include civil
engineering, earth and road construction, dam engineering, dump construction, soil sealing and
in drainage systems. Strength, extension, durability, low moisture absorption, puncture
resistance, thickness, good hydraulic properties and transmission properties, biological heat and
chemical resistance are the essential properties for the Geo textiles.

Figure 3: Geotech

Hometech:
Textile and composites used in the furniture, upholstery and interior furnishing, carpets, floor
coverings. Depends on the environment and place, the selection of the fibre and fabric has to be
made.

Medtech:
The applications are in health, hygiene and rescue services. It is commonly used as Sutures and
bandages. The properties required are bio-degradability, fungal and microbial resistance and
suitability to human body. Bio textiles is a term used in the medical textile applications, these are
textile elements used in specific biological environments. This performance depends on the
interaction with the cells and biological fluids in terms of bio-stability and biocompatibility.

Mobiltech:
The scopes of Mobiltech are so many. Application areas include construction of automobiles,
shipbuilding, aerospace, rail vehicles, motorcycles bikes, airbags, tyres. Each Car has to utilize at
least 17 kgs of textile materials. Essential properties are good sound absorbency, UV resistance,
strength retention, durability, formability, filtration efficiency and abrasion resistance.

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Protech:
Protection against heat, flame, water, and hazardous environment are obtained by suitable usage
of the technical textiles with high performance fibres. Based in usage Chemical resistance, heat
resistance, durability, moisture absorption, comfort, cut resistance and impact resistance
properties are required.

Sportech:
Textiles which is being used in sports, such as, Shoes, sports equipment, flying and sailing
sports, climbing, angling, cycling, winter and summer sports, indoor sports wear. So because of
this way, Technical Textiles is playing a vital role in it.

Clothtech:
Technical textiles for clothing applications are a main part and which is important among all
categories. Especially in the finishing process, where fabric is treated under pressure and high
temperature, the technical textile supports the fabric for smooth processing. This is usually the
blend of polyester. Some categories and examples of clothtec are discussed below:

Size changing shirts

Muscle fibers (fibers that make our muscles) have the ability of contraction and relaxation
resulting in movement. This contraction and relaxation is the reaction of nerve impulses (signals
from our brain) which is in the form of electric signals. Keeping that phenomenon in mind, a
biologist has invented garments made of muscle fibers. These fibers give the amazing ability of
contraction and relaxation of the fabrics. Such fabrics are then programmed through electrical
signals to fit to the wearer's body. Once the electric charges are removed, the dress remains
permanently of the same size until programmed again through electrical signals.
In addition to make the fabric fit to the wearer's body, this technology is also being used to
change the shape of the entire fabric, for e.g., conversion of a hat to a petasos like headdress. In
many of the recent future based fashion shows, this technology was the main focus.

Smart shoes
It is a product manufactured by Apple and Nike. These shoes have an I-Pod nano attached to it.
The IPod receives signals from tiny transmitter present in the shoe as each step is taken. Various
software can be downloaded from internet enabling features such as voice report, giving
information about distance walked, calories burned etc. moreover a motivational song can also
be selected and played for extra boost of energy.

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 Figure 4: Smart Shoes

Lumalive clothes
Recently Phillips has introduced an animation on t-shirts and other fabrics. They have named
their clothes lumalive. It used the LED technology. Previously LED technology was not
controllable in a sense that monitoring a signal LED unit out of thousands separately was not
possible. After long research Phillips was able to invent a method through which individual LED
units can be controlled separately, allowing animations and display of images and text on fabrics
containing this technology. Though still improving, the animations are not very clear and the
battery of the device can work up to four hours only after which it needs to be recharged. Other
than that, any image, text or animation, according to the wearer's choice can be displayed on the
shirt using the device attached to it.

Figure 5: Lumalive clothes

Pressure censors
To access the areas where hospitals and medical facilities were rare, a technology was invented
by US surgeon. With the use of this technology, doctors were able to check and examine patients
without being present there. A shirt with pressure censors was worn by the patient to examine if
certain area of the body was affected or not. The doctors would send electrical signals to the shirt
through internet. This would make the shirt to press that area to see if it hurts or not.
A step forward from this technology, a new product called The Third Space Vest is invented
which is used for gaming purposes. It makes the game come to live by making every hit and

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feeling real. The vest is connected to the game being played and it produce the same intensity hit,
on the person playing, as faced by the game character based on the electrical signals.

Figure 6: Thirs Space vest

Another similar and fantastic invention is the Hug Shirt. The thing which is missing in the text
messages is the feelings of the sender. This problem is now being solved by Hug Shirt. Two
persons if wearing the shirt can send each other hugs, by hugging themselves. When one person
hugs him/her self, the censors in the shirt send the information via Bluetooth, about the duration,
intensity, warmth and even the heartbeat of the hug to the mobile. When sent to another person
wearing the shirt, it is delivered as a messaged on the mobile phone of that person. On accepting
the hug, the receiver's shirt recreates the same hug according to the information received. This
amazing invention was nominated as the best invention of the year by Time.

Figure7: Hug shirt

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Power Shirts
Power shirts have built-in energy producing devices that get charged and produce electricity
when the body of the wearer moves. This technology has solved the problem of electronics
during journeys as the electricity produced by the movement is enough to charge small electronic
devices such as IPods, mobile phones etc. this technology has further allowed the production of
mobile phone shirts that have built-in mobile phones in the shirt. The wearer can simply call or
talk from the collar of the shirt where microphone is located. IPod shirts also use the same
technology.

Figure8: Power shirts

Thermo-welded Garments
These garments have no stitches and seams and hence do not allow anything to penetrate. The
patterns of the garment are cut through laser technology and then instead of stitching, all the
joints are thermally welded through heat or fire. As a result, there are no visible joints, and the
fabric gives a look of complex knitted garments. The look of the garment is kept traditional like
at any other garment available at store. The materials used are essentially synthetic fibers, which
have the tendency of heat setting.

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Figure 9: Thermo-welded garment
Disposable Slippers
These slippers are also known as hotel slippers and were manufactured for furnished apartments
and residential hotels. These are made of single polyester which can be easily recycled and are
disposable. These shoes are used in four or five star hotels so that a new pair of shoes is present
whenever a guest comes for stay.
.

Figure 10: Disposable slippers

Making Of Technical Textiles:

Technical textiles of various forms have previously been demonstrated, but have typically been
progressed by one or more failure. For example, geometrically complex antennas have revealed
performance levels that are impossible to differentiate from identical designs on conventional
materials. However, construction of the complex geometrical patterns has often been laborious,
involving hand-stitching. Another automated method for technical textiles circuit construction
uses conductive threads in an embroidery process. However, the embroidered conductive threads
do not provide sufficient surface conductivity for many high-speed digital and RF applications.
Furthermore, some studies have indicated that the conductive embroidery threads are more
subject to breaking than conventional non-conductive embroidery thread.

The present method overcomes the limitations of the prior methods for forming the equivalent of
printed circuits on cloth. A typical fabrication process according to the present method involves
selecting the appropriate conductive and non-conductive fabric layers to build the technical
textile circuit. The present method uses commercially available woven conductive cloth with
established surface conductivity specifications. Dielectric constant, loss tangent, and thickness
are some of the parameters to be considered for the non-conductive fabric layers. The circuit
design of the conductive woven fabric is secured onto non-conductive fabric layer using sewing,
embroidery, and/or adhesive. The portion of the conductive fabric that is not part of the circuit is
next cut from the desired circuit using an automated machine such as a printed-circuit-board
milling machine or a laser cutting machine. Fiducially can be used to align the circuit and the
cutting machine. Multilayer circuits can be built starting with the inner layer and using
conductive thread to make electrical connections between layers.

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Mechanical properties
From the textile point of view, technical textiles need to be designed to exhibit physical
properties similar to those of traditional textiles. Technical textiles should be bendable,
stretchable, and washable while keeping good electrical conductivity.

To develop practical wearable systems, mechanical properties of technical textiles are critical.
However, there has been very little research that systematically evaluates the physical behavior
of technical textiles.

Flexibility:
Flexibility can be understood as the resistance to permanent deformation under stresses such as
folding or bending. Flexibility of yarns can be improved through textile processes such as
spinning or twisting because the overall geometry of the yarn is a prior factor to those of
individual fibers. Generally, yarn flexibility is affected by an individual fiber's characteristics,
such as fineness, flatness or Young's modulus; percentage of conductive fibers; and their
geometry.

Sewability:
It is also considered as an index for bending characteristics of conductive threads. The Curl Test
was invented to observe the residual curling and judge the sewability of conductive threads
because a conventional sewing thread did not show remaining curls at all. It was known
empirically1 that most conductive threads were not eligible for machine sewing because of their
lack of mechanical properties. They could not withstand mechanical stresses that machine
sewing causes through the needle. Fine wires, however thin or flexible, would break under the
tension in the needle, or jam the machine in the bobbin.

Washability:
Washability is a very unique characteristic of technical textiles unless the wearable system is
disposable. Whenever a person look at them he or she just thinks that is it possible to wash these
cloths. Washability is related to chemical resistance against moisture and detergents as well as
physical resistance against mechanical stresses and high temperature. Known as the most
efficient conductor, copper itself is disqualified for washability because it is corroded quickly by
moisture. Challenges regarding washability have a grave consequence: most smart clothing has
been developed as a concept and exists only in laboratories.

1
originating in or based on observation or experience.

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Applications of Technical textiles
The future of specialized fabrics, Technical textiles can be used:

 To sense tank movements,

 To monitor homes for noxious chemicals
 Help firefighters maneuver in smoky buildings, and perhaps help stroke victims recover
their function.
 They can also be used in a smart home to detect the movement of people and adjust the
lighting or sound systems.
 For sensor network communications
 Physical therapy
 Act as batteries or chemical sensors

Future Prospects:
One of the probable future scenarios of technical textile is that as the field of fibertronics 2
becomes more mature, the hybrid structures will include more electronic functionality at the fiber
level, until we eventually end up with electronic textiles where all advanced electronic function,
such as batteries, lightning, communication and computing is all embedded in the textile fibers.
The field of fibertronics is therefore a crucial field for the developments of future technical
textiles.

Technical Textile in Pakistan

Pakistan still lags behind in technical textile products as neither the government nor the textile
industry has made any serious efforts towards synchronizing textile products with the emerging
needs of the world market by developing higher value-added products. Although the textile
sector is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, the Government as well as the textile industry has
kept their focus on conventional textiles, ignoring technical textiles and knowledge based
products.
Technical textile products are those required for special purposes such as fire fighting and
protective gear, industry, aerospace, military, marine, medical, construction, geo-textile,
transportation and other high-tech applications.
As competition continues to increase in the general and consumer textiles industry, even
companies based in countries previously seen as low-cost producers are facing the question of
how to survive in a truly global market.

2
Fiber Optic Cable Assemblies.

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SUMMARY
Technical textiles are a newly emerging interdisciplinary field of research which brings together
specialists in information technology, Microsystems, materials, and textiles. The focus of this
new area is on developing the enabling technologies and fabrication techniques for the
economical manufacture of large-area; flexible, conformable information systems which are
expected to have unique applications for both consumer electronics and military industry.
Technical textiles will generate a significant body of research with deep implications in
everyday's life, consumer market and applications requiring remote sensing, processing and
actuation (e.g. medical, space and military).

CONCLUSION:
From the past decade, electronics have been shrinking in size and increasing in functionality. The
idea for the most wearable system is to attach technological components to the textile in which
transmission lines and connectors are embedded. Because the electronics are attached and
detached freely, they can be protected from the physical stresses of laundering. As many
different electrics can be connected to any clothing, a wearable system becomes more versatile,
and the user can change its look depending on environmental and situational changes and
individual preference.

Current advances in new materials, textile technologies, and miniaturized electronics make
wearable systems more feasible. It has been anticipated that batteries or memory storages could
be woven directly into textiles. In the future, it might be possible that people can enjoy the
freedom not to carry any electronic device, but, instead, to wear it.

References:
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BERZOWSKA, J. (2005). Electronic Textiles: Wearable Computers, Reactive Fashion, and Soft
Computation.

E. Rehmi Post, M. O. (1997). Smart Fabric, or “Wearable Clothing”.

gtt garment division. (n.d.). Retrieved from gtt techno textile division: http://gtt.ca

hotel slippers. (n.d.). Retrieved from ecvv.com: http://www.ecvv.com

http://ece.eng.wayne.edu. (n.d.). Retrieved april 18, 2011, from http://ece.eng.wayne.edu:

http://ece.eng.wayne.edu/~yxu/doc/researches/smart%20skin.htm

lumalive. (n.d.). Retrieved from philips: http://www.lumalive.philips.com

Lumalive lights up clothing. (n.d.). Retrieved from talk 2 my shirt: http://www.talk2myshirt.com

Nanotextiles. (n.d.). Retrieved from smart garmen tpeople: http://www.smartgarmentpeople.com

nanotextiles---facts-behind-the-fabrics. (n.d.). Retrieved from organicclothing.blogs.com:

http://organicclothing.blogs.com

nanotrust-dossiers. (n.d.). Retrieved from OAW ITA: http://epub.oeaw.ac.at

Pakistan lags behind in Technical Textiles. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.biztek.edu.pk

Sarah E. Braddock and Marie O’Mahony.--New York, N. Y. (n.d.). TECHNO TEXTILES . Retrieved from
http://www.arlisna.org

smart and techno fabrics. (n.d.). Retrieved from textile conservation centre:
http://www.textileconservationcentre.co.uk

Speakers highlight importance of technical textile. (n.d.). Retrieved from The nation:
http://www.nation.com.pk

Spotlight: "Techno Textiles" at the Goldstein. (n.d.). Retrieved from stage + arts:
http://www.startribune.com

Technical Textiles – What India need to do now . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sasmira.org

techno textiles. (n.d.). Retrieved from textually written: http://www.claire.mccreath.info

Techno Textiles 2 - lecture by Marie O'Mahony. (n.d.). Retrieved from d*hub: http://www.dhub.org

Techno Textiles 2: Revolutionary Fabrics for Fashion and Design. (n.d.). Retrieved from uts e scholarship:
http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au

techno-textiles. (n.d.). Retrieved from worn through: http://www.wornthrough.com

techno-textiles. (n.d.). Retrieved from social and cultural studie: http://dr-soccultstudies.blogspot.com

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textiles in depth. (n.d.). Retrieved april 18, 2011, from http://www.textilesindepth.com:
http://www.textilesindepth.com/index.php?page=new-technologies-e-textiles

university of arts London central saint martins. (n.d.). Retrieved april 18, 2011, from
http://www.csm.arts.ac.uk: http://www.csm.arts.ac.uk/csm_smart_textiles.htm

http://technotex.gov.in/sportech.html
http://www.bch.in/agro-textiles.html
http://thetextileport.com/index.php?option=com_sobi2&catid=216&Itemid=64
http://www.sgiventure.com/Buildtech.html
http://thetextileport.com/index.php?option=com_sobi2&catid=209&Itemid=64
http://textilebasics.wordpress.com/category/e-2mobiletech/
http://www.huntsman.com/textile_effects/eng/Technical_Textiles/Technical_Textiles/index.cfm?
PageID=6292

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Picture References:

Figure 1..................... http://bd.aloasha.org/agrotech/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/aloasha-agrotech-

nursery-program.jpg

Figure 2.................... http://www.landskroon.nl/upload/application/1/buildtech,%20scaffold

%20sheeting%2010_ large.jpg?LAND=d84fa884b65bcaa5817a9094a490a8d1

Figure 3..................... http://www.geosyscorp.com/noframes/images/brochures/drainpan/drainpan2.jpg

Figure 4..................... http://fitcompany.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/nike-ipod-sport-kit.jpg

Figure 5..................... http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/12/11/lumalive5_gallery__531x386,0.jpg

Figure 6.....................
http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2007/10/medium_SpaceVestGI.jpg

Figure 7..................... http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2006/12/4hugs.jpg

Figure 8..................... http://www.crunchwear.com/images/cats/high-tech-shirt.jpg

Figure 9..................... http://gtt.ca/en/images/image004a.jpg

Figure 10.....................
http://upload.ecvv.com/upload/Product/20111/China_hotel_slippers_spa_slippers_disposable_slippers
2011131251250.jpg

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