Investigating Smart Textiles Based on Shape Memory Materials

The emergence of high performance fibers and Smart textiles has led to the development of new textiles having sensing, adapting and reacting capabilities. Textile designers are exploring unorthodox areas for inspiration for the production of new and pioneering textiles. This paper investigates Smart aspects of textiles based on shape memory materials particularly for enhancing the aesthetics of woven interior textiles. Shape memory alloy and shape memory polymer have been modified to allow the materials to be incorporated into the woven structure. Through yarn spinning, hybrid blends have been produced; the aesthetic engineering of which has provided new woven textiles that are capable of sensing a temperature change and reacting by changing to a prescribed shape. Examples of applications for these new dynamic textiles will be described and discussed.