New Graphene Printing Technique Increases the Potential of Smart Textiles

The applications for smart textiles are practically boundless; everything we’re currently seeing in wearables would benefit from being made…

Cameron Coward
6 years agoWearables

The applications for smart textiles are practically boundless; everything we’re currently seeing in wearables would benefit from being made more wearable by actually being part of the clothing you already wear. But, contemporary techniques for integrating electronics into textiles fall short of what consumers actually want. As it stands, most smart textiles uses conductive thread that is woven into the fabric and connected to sensors or other useful components.

Now, researchers at the University of Cambridge in England have come up with a new technique for printing graphene onto fabric, which could dramatically increase the potential of smart textiles. This method involves printing conductive graphene ink directly onto the fabric itself. The technology for printing ink on fabric has been around for a long time, it’s the ink itself that is the breakthrough.

This graphene ink formulation has a low boiling point, making it suitable for inkjet printing. Furthermore, it is environmentally safe and can hold up to repeated machine washing cycles (the researchers say up to 20). Utilizing this ink on regular clothes has allowed them to print circuits onto clothes without sacrificing flexibility, breathability, or softness. The overall result is a smart textile that is actually comfortable to wear, and which can withstand real world use.

According to the research team, there is nothing keeping this from being used in mainstream production right now. The graphene ink is safe and cost effective, and can be used with existing printing machines. All it really needs is for a company to put it to good use.

Cameron Coward
Writer for Hackster News. Proud husband and dog dad. Maker and serial hobbyist.
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