Electrically conductive yarns incorporating nanomaterials and electronic textile applications

• Grant number: 19/10547-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: March 01, 2020
• End date: February 28, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Electrical Materials
• Agreement: FINEP - PIPE/PAPPE Grant
• Principal Investigator: Renata Cristiano Nome
• Grantee: Renata Cristiano Nome
• Company: AG Têxtil Eireli
• CNAE: Acabamentos em fios, tecidos e artefatos têxteis
• City: Americana
• Associated researchers: Anderson Vedoveto Martins ; Andre Correa Marcilio ; Renan Nacco Galindo Serrano
• Associated research grant: 17/22192-0 - Electrically conducting smart textiles containing nanomaterials, AP.PIPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 20/05829-7 - Electrically conductive yarns incorporating nanomaterials and electronic textile applications, BP.TT; 20/03768-0 - Electrically conductive yarns incorporating nanomaterials and electronic textile applications, BP.PIPE

Abstract

Electronic textiles (e-textiles) may be considered the next step of wearable electronics where the integration and fabrication of devices is done directly on our garment or textile-based objects giving them new functionalities. This area is closely related to Internet of Things (loT) and pervasive computing. However, the realization of e-textiles is particularly challenging because it must be natural and non-intrusive to be easily accepted by users. In other words, the product should resemble more a garment rather than a piece of hardware. Thus, the creation of electronic circuits and conductive paths through sewing and embroidery techniques using conductive yarns is seen as essential for e-textiles. This project is related to the convergence between electronics and textile technology and it aims the production of smart electroconductive yarns. These yarns will be used in circuits by embroidery or sewing for making touch-sensitive surfaces for user´s interface and transmission of signal in the construction of systems on textile (SoT). The goal is to reframe clothing and textile-related objects by adding new features and connectivity to them. During the PIPE Phase I project, we developed processes which convert ordinary synthetic and natural yarns into electrically conductive ones by dying with special formulations based on carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires (AgNW). The main target of the PIPE Phase II project is up-scaling the production of these yarns aiming near future applications in e-textile and wearables. The yarns will be manufactured on a pilot scale targeting low electrical resistance, uniform coating and high stability. In parallel, several fashion and decoration e-textile products integrating the touch-sensitive textile surfaces will be demonstrated. (AU)