PROBLEM
In the near future, smart clothing will outperform conventional passive garments. Their miniaturized electronic circuits and sensors will allow people to seamlessly communicate with phones, computers, cars and other machines. The fabrication of smart clothing is quite challenging, as clothes need to be periodically washed and electronics despise water.
SOLUTION
Researchers at Purdue University have created waterproof, stain-repellent nanogenerators for textiles that are powered by human movement. These robust devices for everyday use are wearable, waterproof, washable and antibacterial, which have yet to be achieved in similar devices. These nanogenerators can range from a couple of square inches to square feet so that they can be worn on the exterior of everyday clothing or scaled up. In addition, the design is activated and controlled by simple touch, such as for playing music.
IN THE MEDIA
Purdue University News Release
PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR
Ramses Martinez, assistant professor, School of Industrial Engineering, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
INNOVATION DISCLOSURE
Washable, flexible, self-powered e-textiles: 2019-MART-68695
LICENSING CONTACTS
Phone: (765) 588-3475
Fax: (765) 463-3486
Email: otcip@prf.org
ABSTRACT
Washable, Flexible, Self-Powered e-Textiles
Martinez, Ramses Valentin(Project Leader), Sala de Medeiros, Marina
Researchers at Purdue University have created a waterproof, stain-repellent nanogenerators for textiles that are powered by human movement. The devices are robust for everyday use as they are wearable, waterproof, washable, and antibacterial, which has yet to be achieved in similar devices. These innovative nanogenerators are can be of different sizes ranging from a couple of square inches to square feet so that they can be conveniently worn on the exterior of every day clothing such as a shirt collar or scaled up. In addition, the design is activated and controlled by simple touch, such as for playing music.