A novel intelligent textile technology based on silicon flexible skins

This paper reports the successful prototype development of a novel intelligent textile technology based on the integration of silicon flexible skins with regular textiles. This novel approach enables the embedding of sensing and computational components into textiles without compromising the flexibility of the textiles. Silicon flexible skins comprising of arrays of silicon islands integrated with boron doped strain gauges and metal pads were successfully fabricated using micromachining techniques. Prototypes of intelligent textiles were developed by stitching the silicon flexible skins onto the surface of textiles. The preliminary test demonstrated excellent durability of the prototypes. The strain experienced by the silicon islands was monitored in real-time using the integrated strain gauge when the prototype was mechanically deformed. These strain data provide valuable information for the further optimization and the next stage development of the intelligent textile technology.