Textiles

Researchers from Sichuan University, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a graphene-based wearable textile that can convert body movement into useable electricity and even store that energy. The fabric can potentially be used in a wide range of applications, from medical monitoring to assisting athletes and their coaches in tracking their performance, as well as smart displays on clothing.

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The accuracy of current wearable electronic devices and various available health monitors remains limited due to the handful of locations on or near the body on which they can be placed, and restricted to a small selection of applications. In the future, if advanced fabrics can be developed, wearable electronic devices integrated into shirts, pants, underwear and hats will be able to track indicators of frailty to assess risk of age-related disease, monitor cortisol levels to track stress levels, or even detect pathogens as part of a global pandemic monitoring network. To take wearable electronics to this next level, monitors will have to be integrated into textiles in a way that is lightweight, unobtrusive and less cumbersome.

Ionic Industries has announced the signing of an agreement for the sale of its first product developed from the Company's portfolio of graphene technologies. Ionic Industries referred to the patented conductive coatings applied to geotextiles as 'one of the world’s first large-scale applications of graphene technologies'. 

The supply agreement with GeoFabrics Australasia is for the supply of conductive, coated geotextile for sale by GeoFabrics as their Bidim-C product. The Bidim-C product is used to detect holes and potential leaks in newly constructed dams and water tank projects.  The agreement is for the supply of Bidim-C over the next 12 months and will generate up to AUD$1,000,000 (over USD$664,000) in revenue for Ionic.

Directa Plus and Italian clothing group Alfredo Grassi have expanded their partnership in military and public sector workwear after a new public sector contract. To meet the contract, Grassi has ordered tens of thousands of linear meters of graphene-treated lining worth more than €700,000, which is to be delivered in 2023.

The two companies have been working in partnership since 2017 and Directa Plus said this latest deal would add to the recurring revenue stream from its patented Graphene Plus PTC technology.

Researchers from China's Qingdao University and Shenzhen University have developed a graphene-based proof-of-concept for a skin-friendly and wearable textile-based touch panel that converts a person's forearm into a keyboard or sketchpad. The three-layer, touch-responsive material translates what a user sketches or types into computer pictures.

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Computer trackpads and electronic signature capture devices are not common in wearables. Researchers have proposed constructing flexible touch-responsive panels out of clear, electrically conductive hydrogels, but these materials are sticky, making writing on them difficult and uncomfortable for the skin. As a result, the research team sought to combine a comparable hydrogel into a comfortable fabric sleeve for drawing or playing computer games.

Versarien has announced the launch of Umbro's ProTraining Elite range, including garments incorporating the Company's Graphene-Wear technology.

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Versarien has been working with Umbro since 2018 and these are the first products to be launched in Europe incorporating the Company's technology.  Umbro's new ProTraining Elite long-sleeve running tops, baselayers and running tights have Versarien's Graphene-Wear ink formula printed on the inside.  The Graphene-Wear formula features novel properties that will allow wearers to experience enhanced thermal transmittance, increased moisture management, with improved drying rate, without compromising air or water vapor permeability.  In particular, these three garments will benefit significantly from applying Graphene-Wear as they are being worn in circumstances where maintaining core body temperature is more desirable and difficult to achieve.  The garments also have Versarien's Graphene-Wear trademark applied.

Zhejiang Textile New Material Technology, located in Zhuji, Zhejiang, China, is currently testing its new graphene-enhanced antibacterial socks. The Company explained that the socks are first manufactured in a traditional way, then treated with a graphene antibacterial multifunctional finishing agent.

The Company stated that rigorous tests are currently being performed to see if the required effects are achieved. The team explained that generally, most countries require that the antibacterial effect should reach more than 70%. Zhejiang Textile New Material Technology’s socks reportedly reach more than 90%.

Researchers from China's Xi’an Polytechnic University, Tsinghua University, Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS) and Shaanxi Textile Research Institute have found that breathable electrodes woven into fabric used in fire suits have proven to be stable at temperatures over 520ºC. At these temperatures, the fabric is found to be essentially non-combustible with high rates of thermal protection time at the maximum values recorded so far for such technology at 18.91 seconds.

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The results show the efficacy and practicality of Janus graphene/poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole), or PBO, woven fabric in making firefighting “smarter”, with aims to manufacture products on an industrial scale that are flame-retardant but also intelligent enough to warn the firefighter of increased risks while facing flames.

FIOBOC, a casual fashion menswear brand, recently launched a graphene-enhanced activewear range. The collection includes sweatshirts and jackets in a range of naturally dyed colors. Using graphene in the fabric of FIOBOC's new collection allows it to keep warmth and comfort for wearers. The graphene fabric can reportedly insulate heat to reduce heat loss from the human body to ensure the wearer is kept warm.

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FIOBOC stated that the "new collection is created with an athleisure style. While promoting comfort, the simple but stylish design makes it perfect for daily wear at work or home, working out at the gym, or going out motorcycling. Paired with a denim jacket or a snow jacket, it will be an ideal choice for camping or mountain climbing".

Directa Plus has signed an agreement with CIA Miguel Caballero SAS, a Columbia-based manufacturer of ballistic protection clothing. This is Directa Plus' first supply contract in Latin America, reportedly worth €1 million over four years.  

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As part of the new contract, Directa will supply 77,500 linear meters of PTC printed material over four years following a four-month trial period. Directa will provide CIA Miguel’s subsidiary, MC Amor, with PTC printed linings for ballistic vests. This supposedly refers to the G+ Planar Thermal Circuit (PTC), a technology for a functional Graphene Plus print that can be applied to various types of fabrics.

Versarien recently entered a commercial agreement with BiaBrazil, a Brazilian sports and activewear manufacturer, for the integration of Versarien's Graphene-Wear technology into a new range of women and men's activewear garments. This agreement follows a 16-month phase of work between the two companies.

Versarien, in a statement, said it will make further announcements regarding launch dates for the line of products though noted that it expects they will be available for sale during Q1 2023 in the UK and worldwide.