Polyurethane-coated copper textiles revolutionize wearable technology

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University invented a fine-mesh conductive fabric that can be washed many times.

Students of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Textiles and Clothing have invented a highly elastic smart textile that can withstand repeated washing in a washing machine.

The textile embedded in electrical wiring is commonly known as “fabric circuit board”, which is made by winding multiple polyurethane-coated copper textile fiber filaments in pre-stretched elastic yarn.

(Polyurethane-coated copper textiles strike, setting off a wave of wearable technology revolution)

Tao Xiaoming, a professor of textile technology at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, believes that this technological revolution can be used to make body armor, and when the wearer is shot by a bullet, he can notify and contact his military base.

The research team also shows that microchips and other components can also be inserted into it, and it will not fall out even if it is bent.

Experimental results show that the material will not be damaged even if it is stretched by 20% several million times. Professor Tao also said that “like ordinary circuit boards, the textile can also be used for multiple layers, thanks to the insulating properties of the polyurethane coating film.” She also added: “The current is also the same as in ordinary circuit boards. “