Tiny Magnetoresistive Sensors Deliver Robust, Washable Smart Clothing — Just Add a Magnet
Touchless sensors, triggered by a small magnet worn in a glove or as a ring, deliver smart fabrics that even work underwater.
Researchers from Nottingham Trent University, the Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research, and the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano have come up with a touchless smart fabric that can provide control of electronic gadgets via your clothing — and stand up to repeated washing, too.
"Our design could revolutionize electronic textiles for both specialized and everyday clothing," claims lead researcher Pasindu Lugoda of the team's creation. "Tactile sensors on textiles vary in usefulness, as accidental activation occurs when they rub or brush against surfaces. Touchless interaction reduces wear and tear. Importantly, our technology is designed for everyday use. It is machine washable and durable and does not impact the drape, or overall aesthetic appeal of the textile."
The team's work is based on tiny magnetoresistive sensors, woven into the yarn of clothing using conventional manufacturing processes, which alter their resistance based on the strength of nearby magnetic fields. Rather than requiring a physical touch, which could be triggered by other clothing or people, interacting with the smart fabric is done using a magnet — worn on the hand in either a glove or as a ring.
The researchers say the number of sensors in an item of clothing is not restrictive, going so far as to suggest a sweater sleeve could host a fully-functional keyboard for text input, and that the sensors work come rain or shine — even underwater. They're also robust enough to survive repeated washing cycles, meaning the sensor-equipped garments don't need to be treated any differently to normal clothes.
To prove the concept, the team demonstrated a prototype armband powered by an Adafruit HUZZAH ESP32 board that could be used to navigate around a virtual reality environment and a self-monitoring motorcycle helmet strap powered by a LILYGO ESP32-S3 board designed to improve safety. The researchers also suggest other uses for the technology, including temperature or safety systems for functionalized clothing, wearable gaming systems, or interactive fashion.
The team's work has been published in the journal Communications Engineering under open-access terms.
Main article image courtesy of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano.
