Combining Textiles and Electronics: Market Trend and Laundering Testing Challenges of E-Textiles (IMPACT 2018)

Modern wearables technology has evolved from smart watches into the field of e-textiles. E-textiles can be applied to various industries and applications, most notably in sports performance monitoring and digital healthcare, bringing in great opportunities. Compared to other wearables, e-textiles face more mechanical stresses and environmental challenges. While being electronics, e-textiles are also expected to be wearable and washable, just like common clothes. Only products which can withstand those stresses will be able to gain the greatest advantage in the e-textile market. This paper will identify some major applications of e-textiles, illustrating with actual examples in the market, and highlight the major challenges for e-textile development and production.