Researchers have developed a smart fabric that can convert heat from the body and solar energy into electricity while monitoring various health metrics.
The black fabric coated with Mxene allows it to absorb solar energy and body heat to convert it into electricity – (Photo: University of Waterloo)
This fabric was created by a research team led by Professor Yuning Li from the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo (Canada) in collaboration with Professor Chaoxia Wang’s team at the College of Textile Science and Engineering at Jiangnan University (China).
According to the authors, it can convert heat from the body and solar energy into electricity while monitoring various health metrics.
Notably, it is more stable, durable, and cost-effective than other fabrics available on the market, as reported by ScienceBlog on August 14.
“We have developed a fabric with multifunctional sensing capabilities and self-powering features. This invention brings us closer to practical applications for smart fabrics,” Professor Li stated.
Tensile testing to demonstrate the mechanical strength of the smart fabric and its washability – (Photo: University of Waterloo).
The potential applications of this technology are vast and diverse. Imagine clothing that can keep you warm using solar energy or shirts that can monitor your heart rate and body temperature without the need for external devices.
Another promising application is smart medical masks that can monitor temperature and breathing, as well as detect chemicals in breath that may indicate the presence of viruses, lung cancer, or other health conditions.
In environmental monitoring, this smart fabric could provide real-time data on air quality or exposure levels to toxins.
Future applications may include a smartphone app to monitor and transmit data from the fabric to healthcare professionals, enabling non-invasive real-time health monitoring throughout the day…
The research team indicated that in the next phase, they will focus on improving the fabric’s performance and integrating it into electronic components.
The study was published in the Journal of Materials Science & Technology.
