Electronic textiles – cellulose threads in production
1. Electrically conductive cellulose in the textile industry
2. Research on the use of cellulose threads in the production of electronic textiles
3. Thermoelectric textile material
4. Extensive use of eco-friendly electric textiles
Electrically conductive cellulose in the textile industry
A Swedish research team has developed a thread made of renewable conductive cellulose that could provide a number of practical possibilities. One of them is the production of electronic textiles that will be used in various fields.
The best example of this is the bio-medical industry. In order for the threads to be durable, they must be made of renewable and natural materials. Cellulose thread, developed by a research team led by Chalmers University of Technology, has potential as a material for electronic textiles in a variety of applications. The advantage of this production is the fact that non-toxic, renewable and natural materials are used in the process.
Research on the use of cellulose threads in the production of electronic textiles
“Miniature wearable electronic gadgets are becoming more and more common in our daily lives. Today, however, this involves the use of rare or sometimes toxic materials. It also leads to the gradual build-up of huge mountains of electronic waste. There is a real need for organic, renewable materials for use in electronic textiles “
said Sozan Darabi, a PhD student in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering in Chalmers.
With Anja Lund, a researcher from the same group, Darabi has been working on electrically conductive fibers for electronic textiles for several years. Initially, scientists focused on the use of silk, but now they have made further discoveries through the use of cellulose.
Thermoelectric textile material
By sewing electrically conductive cellulose threads to the fabric with a standard home sewing machine, scientists developed a thermoelectric textile material. When heated, on the one hand, it produces a small amount of electricity. It turns out that human body heat is enough for this process.
Scientists have found that with a temperature difference of 37 ° C, the fabric can generate about 0.2 microwatt of electricity.
“This cellulose thread can lead to garments with built-in electronic smart functions. They are made of non-toxic, renewable and natural materials ”.
Scientists developed a cellulose thread production process with the help of co-authors from Aalto University in Finland. In another process, the Chalmers scientists made the thread conductive by coloring it with an electrically conductive polymeric material.
Measurements by scientists have shown that the dyeing process gives the cellulose thread a record high conductivity. Silver nanowires have also been found to further increase this conductivity. In tests, the thread retained its conductivity even after several washes.
Extensive use of eco-friendly electric textiles
Cellulose thread is a renewable and non-toxic electrically conductive material. It is therefore harmless to the natural environment. It can be used in electronic textiles that can be sewn in an ordinary home sewing machine. It has a record conductivity for a cellulose yarn and can withstand at least five washes without losing conductivity.
According to experts, electronic textiles can significantly improve our lives. One important area where such textiles would find application is healthcare. Monitoring and measuring various health indicators using electronic clothing can be extremely beneficial. The use of such textiles, however, can be much wider.
In the textile industry, where conversion to sustainable raw materials is key, natural materials and fibers are becoming an increasingly common choice to replace plastics. Electrically conductive cellulose threads could also play a significant role in this case, the researchers said.
“Cellulose is a fantastic material that can be extracted and recycled sustainably. We will use it more and more in the future. When products are made of a single material or as few materials as possible, the recycling process becomes much easier and more efficient. “
“This is another prospect where cellulose threads are very promising for the development of e-textiles.”
explained Müller, professor at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers. Therefore, electronic textiles are a promising business idea in the near future.
Therefore, electronic textiles are a promising business idea in the near future.
