A new generation of smart clothing has been developed that harvests energy and monitors the body without the need for batteries or external power.
The fabric, developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo, can convert body heat and solar energy into electricity.
It has the potential to enable continuous operation of its energy functions with no need for an external power source.
Different sensors attached to the fabric can monitor temperature, stress and other body outputs.
Professor Yuning Li, from the University of Waterloo Department of Chemical Engineering, said one promising potential application of the fabric was for face masks that could track temperature and help detect illness.
“We have developed a fabric material with multifunctional sensing capabilities and self-powering potential,” Professor Li said.
“This innovation brings us closer to practical applications for smart fabrics.
“Unlike current wearable devices that often depend on external power sources or frequent recharging, this breakthrough research has created a novel fabric which is more stable, durable, and cost-effective than other fabrics on the market.”
The next phase of research will focus on enhancing the fabric’s performance and integrating it with electronic components.
Future developments may include a smartphone app to track and transmit data from the fabric to healthcare professionals, “enabling real-time, non-invasive health monitoring”.
The full report is on the University of Waterloo website.
