The day when we will be wearing clothing with electronics built in is approaching fast. The textile industry wants to produce “smart” textiles that combine electronics with the textile fabrics. According to forecasters, the smart textile market today is estimated at $800 million and is expected to reach $4.72 billion by 2020, with a yearly CAGR of 33.58% by 2020.
Smart textiles are viewed as useful for military use, and industrial and medical needs. Possible uses of this technology includes smart bandages, virtual reality gloves, wearables with sensor and heat properties, safety equipment for the defense industry, unique sportswear that manages body temperature, medical equipment, automotive, aviation and aerospace accessories, and more.
One method being explored to develop these smart fabrics is 3D printing. Nano Dimension, a subsidiary of Nano Dimension Ltd., has developed 3D printing production processes and nanomaterials that have the potential to help create an efficient production technology for smart textiles.
The engineers at Nano Dimensions recently conducted a successful test for 3D printing of conductive traces onto a treated fabric in collaboration with a leading European functional textiles company. The test was carried out using Nano Dimension’s unique AgCite™ Silver Nanoparticle conductive ink and the DragonFly 2020 3D Printer platform.
Based on the requirements of the European company, Nano Dimension adjusted the printing process to print electronics and sensors as an integral part of the fabric.
During the test, conductors were printed in several patterns to examine conductivity, elasticity, rubbing, and so on. The results demonstrated that the printed silver conductors had high enough elasticity to match the properties of the fabric.
The experiment provides evidence that Nano Dimension’s technology can successfully print conductors on a fabric, thus enabling the creation of “smart” functional fabrics without limitations resulting from motion, folding and wearing.
Nano Dimension Ltd.
www.nano-di.com
