| "Intelligent" or "smart" clothing is part of | | | | it. Examples include: Clothing that changes |
| an exciting technology that involves building | | | | density depending on the temperature outside, |
| computing, connectivity, and sensing | | | | jackets that store solar energy that can be |
| abilities into materials people are | | | | used to charge cell phones and cameras, and |
| comfortable wearing. Some of the latest | | | | even built-in sensors that can guide pinpoint |
| products in this area are very fashionable, | | | | massage to a wearer that is regulated |
| lightweight, and look no different than other | | | | depending on his or her level of stress. |
| clothes. In some cases, the electronic | | | | |
| circuits that make up the brains of the | | | | - Active very smart: Where clothing has built |
| wearable computers and sensors are sewn in. | | | | in computing and or intelligent sensing |
| In others, the circuits and other components | | | | capacity. Examples include sleeves that |
| are literally built from conductive yarn and | | | | function as keyboards for a small handheld |
| thread that makes up the clothing. The | | | | device, clothing that can function like a |
| possibilities are amazing and limitless. | | | | powerful calculator or PDA, and shirts that |
| | | | can store information through a built-in |
| Right now, as devices get smaller and | | | | fabric keyboard and send it via Bluetooth to |
| smaller, we often find ourselves with a | | | | a computer. |
| different electronic device in each pocket. | | | | |
| Each technological advance shrinks these | | | | Other classifications of intelligent clothing |
| devices and integrates them with one another. | | | | include "phase change" and "shape memory" |
| It's only logical that as these portable | | | | materials. Phase change materials literally |
| devices that connect us, give us information, | | | | change aspects such as their density in |
| and allow us to be mobile get smaller and | | | | reaction to the environment, in order to |
| more powerful, we can eventually find ways to | | | | increase comfort or functionality to the |
| integrate right into the clothing we wear. | | | | wearer. These clothes might become denser |
| Right now, technology has not progressed to | | | | when it is cold and more porous when it is |
| that point, but this article will cover | | | | hot, for example. Shape memory materials can |
| currently available forms of smart fabrics, | | | | change from a temporary deformed shape back |
| or intelligent clothing. | | | | to an original shape. They can preserve a |
| | | | comfortable and loose fit regardless of |
| There are actually three distinct types of | | | | changes in heat and moisture levels. |
| smart clothing: | | | | |
| | | | In the future, all of us might be wearing |
| - Passive Smart: Where the clothing "reads" | | | | intelligent clothing that senses when we are |
| or senses the environment or something about | | | | having medical problems, gives us the ability |
| the person wearing the clothing. Wearable | | | | to charge electronic devices while on the go, |
| sensors fall into this category, with | | | | and even allows for basic computing. We |
| examples including built-in GPS, | | | | might not need different clothing for |
| clothing-integrated baby breathing monitors, | | | | different seasons due to phase change and |
| and clothing that gives feedback about | | | | shape memory technology. There might be |
| potential changes in weather. | | | | means of communication and general |
| | | | connectivity built in to our clothes. This |
| - Active Smart: Where clothing not only | | | | emerging technology is exciting and soon to |
| senses the environment, but also reacts to | | | | take over the consumer market. |