E-Textiles @ ECS

E-TEXTILES
The Electronics and Computer Science Department has over 40 years' experience of printed functional materials and electronic systems. Recently our research has focused on the application of screen, inkjet and dispenser printing to create e-textiles. We have had 14 major research projects (4 EU, 3 UK MoD, 6 EPSRC and 1 MRC) concerning textile-compatible printed materials and processes, and their applications. Applications encompass designer fashion, medical devices, automotive sensors and displays, military fabrics and consumer products. Devices such as electroluminescent lamps, heaters, humidity sensors, capacitors, resistors, antennas, bio-potential electrodes and multi-layer printed circuit boards have been demonstrated. We have over 50 publications and 1 spin off company (Smart Fabric Inks Ltd). Full details of our research is given below with links to project web pages and key publications.

2007

2008

2009
Frank configuration wearable for ECG measurement
Printed pressure measurement array

2010
Flexible thermogenerator
Flexible piezoelectric energy harvesting shoe insole
Flexible coil for wireless power transfer

2011

2012
Screen printed free standing cantilever motion sensor on polyester cotton fabric using a printed sacrificial layer
Screen printed resistive heater on polyester cotton fabric + IR image of fabric when heated

2013
Screen printed LED strips embedded inside woven fabric.

2014
Bio-potential monitoring electrode array screen printed on to fabric.

2015
  • Fabric based Functional Electrical Stimulation Sleeve for upper limb rehabilitation
  • Electroluminescent textile for fashion, lighting and architecture
  • Workwear: military, police, and firefighting
  • 2016

    2017

    2018

    2019

    Other Notable Demonstrators
    Printed PCB on fabric with components attached.
    Printed valveless micropump on fabric using sacrificial material.
    Wearable printed EL lamp on fabric
    Printed multilayer PCB on fabric with vias.
    Screen printed humidity sensors on fabric
    Screen and inkjet printed metamaterials on fabric
    Battery powered e-textile swatch
    Direction indicator jackets for night cycling
    LED swatch with insitu microcontroller

    For more details contact:
    Dr Russel Torah (rnt@ecs.soton.ac.uk)

    Dr John Tudor (mjt@ecs.soton.ac.uk)

    Professor Steve Beeby (spb@ecs.soton.ac.uk)

    Smart Electronics and Materials Systems Group
    Electronics and Computer Science
    University of Southampton
    UK

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