Advances in Science and Technology Vol. 80

Abstract: Real-time, on-body measurement using minimally invasive biosensors opens up new perspectives for diagnosis and disease monitoring. Wearable sensors are placed in close contact with the body, performing analyses in accessible biological fluids (wound exudates, sweat). In this context, a network of biosensing optical fibers woven in textile enables the fabric to measure biological parameters in the surrounding medium. Optical fibers are attractive in view of their flexibility and easy integration for on-body monitoring. Biosensing fibers are obtained by modifying standard optical fibers with a sensitive layer specific to biomarkers. Detection is based on light absorption of the sensing fiber, placing a light source and a detector at both extremities of the fiber. Biosensing optical fibers have been developed for the in situ monitoring of wound healing, measuring pH and the activity of proteases in exudates. Other developments aim at the design of sensing patches based on functionalized, porous sol-gel layers, which can be deposited onto textiles and show optical changes in response to biomarkers. Biosensing textiles present interesting perspectives for innovative healthcare monitoring. Wearable sensors will provide access to new information from the body in real time, to support diagnosis and therapy.

Abstract: E-Textiles using fabric sensors have been studied well for respiration monitoring in recent years; they can estimate respiratory rates and patterns. However, studies of respiratory volume and flow estimation remain unestablished, although they are necessary for the inspection and monitoring of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this paper, we introduce a new stretchable textile sensor and examine how to calculate respiratory volume. The sensor can stretch up to about 150% (e.g., 13 to 20 cm). The stretch can be detected from the electronic potential changes between conductive fibers. We analyzed the relationships between the respiratory volume and the torso-surface movements using motion capture. In our evaluation, the mean rooted mean standard errors (RMSEs) of the estimated volumes were 0.39 ± 0.17 (L) among four datasets with motion capture and 0.62 ± 0.22 (L) among three datasets with the textile sensor. In addition, we successfully drew a similar flow volume curve (FVC) to those captured with a spirometer.

Abstract: Technical textiles are used primarily for their technical functionality in many different industries. For monitoring the functionality of textiles it is possible to integrate sensors into the textile. Since textiles are made of fibres, yarns, two-or three dimensional structures the sensor systems should accordingly be designed as a part of them. Smart textiles are concerned with textile based sensors integrated mechanically and structurally to a textile. The state of the art in developing textile based sensors extends from sensor fibres to over coated yarns and textiles but without using standardized tools. The development of a textile sensor and its interpretation on a specific application has been associated with many investigations into combination of different conductive materials, what is a lengthy and costly developing process. Knowledge has already been generated on textile sensors, which now requires an appropriate classification and structure. A classified catalogue which allows a direct selection of textile based sensor modules on the basis of measured values. The catalogue´s structure follows, apart from the VDI- guideline 2222, of which complex coherences can be arranged and a clear representation can be found. Setting standards in the field of smart textiles helps companies to produce more smart products.

Abstract: In this study, fabrics having a superhydrophobic and superoleophobic surface were prepared by a wet-chemistry coating technique using a coating solution containing hydrolyzed fluorinated alkyl silane and fluorinated-alkyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane. The coating shows remarkable self-healing superhydrophobic and superoleophobic properties and excellent durability against UV light, acid, repeated machine washes, and severe abrasion.

Abstract: “Passive” and “active” laser-protective clothing and curtains are hardly available on the market today for the use with hand-held laser processing devices (HLD) and automated laser machines. However, the fact that serious laser injuries of the skin happen shows that skin protection against laser radiation is necessary. Thus, key developments described in this paper are on the one hand highly innovative functional multi-layer technical textiles, providing a high level of passive laser resistance. On the other hand, active systems, containing functional multi-layer smart fabrics which detect laser exposure and, by means of a safety control, deactivate the laser beam automatically, are depicted. Furthermore, test methods and testing set-ups to qualify such passive and active functional technical textiles and tailored personal protective equipment (PPE) are developed. The passive laser-protective textile system will be realized using the best combination of materials, providing, at the same time, laser, fire, and heat protection together with other properties. Designing active system means the realization of functionalized fabrics and to exploit their physical properties. The electronics which interface the active system, providing signal conditioning, acquisition, on-body pre-processing, local data storage and wireless communication, is a major part of the active approach. The electronics will provide alarms and ultimately enforce laser shutdown upon defined conditions.

Abstract: In this study ten commercial smart wound dressings - CombiDerm®, Versiva® XC®, Sorbsan Plus SA, Opsite* Post-Op, Aquacel™ Surgical, DuoDerm®, Granuflex®, Mepilex® Border, Allevyn Gentle Border and Biatain® - were tested and evaluated. The following experimental tests were performed on the dressing specimens; area density, thickness, fluid uptake and handling, conformability, absorption rate, waterproofness, stainless steel (SS) peel test and vertical wicking. It was found that Biatain® had the highest absorbency and fluid handling capacity and also had lower moisture vapour permeability value compared to the other dressings. Versiva® XC® and DuoDerm® had higher extensibility values than other dressings, which are 3.56 machine direction (MD) and 3.99 (CD) cross direction Ncm-1 for Versiva® XC® and 3.67 (MD) - 3.12 (CD) Ncm-1 for DuoDerm®. The pattern of results for permanent set was found to be similar to the extensibility results. All tested dressings passed the waterproofness threshold. DuoDerm® and Granuflex® showed more than 20 minutes rate of absorption and also their SS Peel values were found to be considerably higher than the other dressings investigated.