When Textile and Science unite …. Innovative Applications ahead!

To keep you informed CINET regularly reports on trends and developments that may affect the PTC industry in the future. This week we introduce a new promising application: a flexible sweat analysis patch based on a silk fabric-derived carbon textile for the detection of health-related biomarkers.

Wearable sweat analysis devices for the monitoring of health-related aspects are in high demand. Based on this need, a multiplex sweat analysis patch has been developed that is capable of simultaneous detection of glucose, lactate, ascorbic acid, uric acid, Na+, and K+. The integration of selective detectors with signal collection and transmission components in this device has made real-time analysis of sweat possible.

The Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of Tsinghua University in Beijing and the Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule Chemistry of Northwest University in Xi’an – both in China – have recently published on this innovative textile-science device. A development that may lead to applications for both health – and commercial purposes, such as clothing. The laundering of these kind of textiles will present interesting challenges for the Professional Textile Care Industry. Challenges that will no doubt be taken up successfully.