Editorial: New Technologies for Smart Fabric and Intelligent Textile Products: Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells and Plastic Electronics

A highlight of this issue of Technical Textile Markets is the report “Smart Fabrics and Intelligent Textiles in the UK: Seven Companies at the Forefront of Innovation” which starts on page 11.

The smart fabrics and intelligent textile sector is growing rapidly, albeit from a low base. Furthermore, it is notable that a number of UK-based companies are global leaders in their respective technologies.

However, many of the products and applications of smart fabrics and intelligent textiles would not be possible without innovations in associated sectors.

Two examples of such associated sectors are the manufacture of solar cells to provide power, and the production of low cost portable reading devices.

Innovations in these two sectors do not employ textile materials in their production and therefore lie outside the scope of the report.

However, it is interesting to note that a number of products in these sectors are being developed and manufactured using innovative textile manufacturing technologies.

Some experts believe that innovative textile manufacturing technologies have large potential. They also claim that the technologies could form the basis of entire new industries which could greatly improve conventional manufacturing techniques, processes and materials.

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• Performance apparel markets: product developments and innovations, 1st quarter 2007, (1st Quarter 2007)
• Smart Fabrics and Intelligent Textiles in the UK: Seven Companies at the Forefront of Innovation, (1st quarter 2007)
• Editorial: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID): Saving Costs and Improving Logistics in Hospital Garment and Laundry Operations, (4th quarter 2006)
• Global market for smart fabrics and interactive textiles, 4th quarter 2005, (4th quarter 2005)

Technical Textile Markets provides intelligence, analysis and insight on the global man-made fibre, nonwoven and technical textile industries.

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