Analysis of Smart and Modern Materials

1. What are Smart Textiles?
Aims: To recognise ‘Smart’ Materials
To recognise uses for ‘Smart’ Materials
‘Chromic’ = Colour
‘USP’ = Unique Selling Point
‘Smart Material’ = A material that responds to a stimulus like
heat or light, and then returns to its original state when the
stimulus is removed.
They can respond to external stimuli, e.g.
Hot or cold temperatures
Light
Pressure
Power
Time

2. Memory Textiles
• Temperature & pressure
sensitive foam that moulds
to the shape of the body &
returns to normal when
pressure is removed.
• Originally developed by
NASA to help astronauts
deal with G-Force when
blasting-off into space

3. • D3o is a new innovation
• It is a soft malleable most of the time
• When it comes into contact with force it hardens on impact
• Have a look at this clip to see how it works:

4. Thermochromic Materials
Thermochromic ink changes colour according to
the temperature of the surface it is bring tested
on. Can you think of a use for THERMOCHROMIC
inks?

5. Thermo chromic dyes
• These dyes react to heat
• They change colour at a particular
temperature.
• The resulting colours & effects will depend if
they are applied just to a fabric, or mixed with
another dye.

6. Photochromic Materials
Can you think of a use for
PHOTOCHROMIC inks?
• Photo chromic dyes react
to day light / UV light &
change colour.
• Products include beads &
trims, threads & fabrics
• Have you seen photo
chromic lenses in glasses?

7. Micro-encapsulation
• Chemicals / Fragrances
are captured in
microscopic polymer
bubbles which are added
to natural or microfibres.
• When the fabric is
rubbed or comes into
contact with the skin,
the bubbles slowly burst
to release their content

8. Textiles with Micro-encapsulation
• Fragrances added to
socks to combat
smelly feet
• Sea Minerals added to
tights to help reduce
cellulite
• Anti allergen
chemicals added to
bedding

9. Dye Technology
• Smart chemicals can
be added to dyes
which are printed on
to textiles.
• Some are purely for
fun and novelty value
• Others can have
more serious uses.
Fragrance can be added to dyes
to make scratch & sniff T-
shirts, baby’s fabric books, etc.

10. Phosphorescent Pigments
• These dyes are used in
glow-in-the dark
products
• Often used in prints on
novelty clothing such as
children’s nightwear,
clothes for clubbing or
Halloween costumes
• Originally developed for
clock hands & numbers
• Some baby’s dummies
have this treatment

11. Phosphorescent
Materials
Phosphorescent inks are able to absorb light
during the day and then glow at night.
Can you think of a use for
PHOSPHORESCENT inks?

12. Electronic textiles combine traditional
fabrics and fibres with electronics.

13. Summary
Graphic Designers
can use SMART
materials
to help them achieve
a unique selling point
(USP), often making
their design better
than their
competitors.
Task 1 – Smart Textiles
As a designer for a textiles manufacturing company that prides
itself on keeping up to date with modern development of
fabrics you have been asked to design an item of party wear
that incorporates the use of two of the following Smart
fabrics:
- UV Reactive
- Thermochromic
- Glow in the dark
- Microencapsulated with fragrance
You may use colour to demonstrate the potential effects the
environment will have on the fabric.
You must also reflect the texture of the fabric using
rendering or rubbing techniques.
SMART

14. 8 The picture above is a children’s sun hat. What smart material
could be used to improve the product’s appeal or function?
9. Give reasons which fully explain your answer to question 8.