Performance Study of Screen-Printed Textile Antennas after Repeated Washing

Kazani I.; Declercq F.; Scarpello M. L.; Hertleer C.; Rogier H.; Vande Ginste D.; De Mey G.; Guxho G.; Van Langenhove L.

doi:10.2478/v10304-012-0049-x

AUTEX Research Journal (Jun 2014)

Performance Study of Screen-Printed Textile Antennas after Repeated Washing

Kazani I.,
Declercq F.,
Scarpello M. L.,
Hertleer C.,
Rogier H.,
Vande Ginste D.,
De Mey G.,
Guxho G.,
Van Langenhove L.

Affiliations

Kazani I.: Ghent University, Department of Textiles, Technologiepark 907, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
Declercq F.: Ghent University, Department of Information Technology, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Scarpello M. L.: 3Ghent University, Department of Information Technology, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Hertleer C.: Ghent University, Department of Textiles, Technologiepark 907, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
Rogier H.: Ghent University, Department of Information Technology, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Vande Ginste D.: Ghent University, Department of Information Technology, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
De Mey G.: Ghent University, Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Guxho G.: Polytechnic University of Tirana, Department of Textile and Fashion, Square ‘Mother Teresa’, No.4, Tirana, Albania
Van Langenhove L.: Ghent University, Department of Textiles, Technologiepark 907, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10304-012-0049-x
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 2
pp. 47 – 54

Abstract

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The stability of wearable textile antennas after 20 reference washing cycles was evaluated by measuring the reflection coefficient of different antenna prototypes. The prototypes’ conductive parts were screen-printed on several textile substrates using two different silver-based conductive inks. The necessity of coating the antennas with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coating was investigated by comparing coated with uncoated antennas. It is shown that covering the antennas with the TPU layer not only protects the screen-printed conductive area but also prevents delamination of the multilayered textile fabric substrates, making the antennas washable for up to 20 cycles. Furthermore, it is proven that coating is not necessary for maintaining antenna operation and this up to 20 washing cycles. However, connector detachment caused by friction during the washing process was the main problem of antenna performance degradation. Hence, other flexible, durable methods should be developed for establishing a stable electrical connection.

Published in AUTEX Research Journal

ISSN: 1470-9589 (Print); 2300-0929 (Online)
Publisher: De Gruyter
Country of publisher: Poland
LCC subjects: Technology: Chemical technology: Textile bleaching, dyeing, printing, etc.
Website: https://www.degruyter.com/journal/key/aut/html

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