Electrically Conductive Textile Materials—Application in Flexible Sensors and Antennas

Abstract

This paper reviews some prominent applications and approaches to developing smart fabrics for wearable technology. The importance of flexible and electrically conductive textiles in the emerging body-centric sensing and wireless communication systems is highlighted. Examples of applications are discussed with a focus on a range of textile-based sensors and antennas. Developments in alternative materials and structures for producing flexible and conductive textiles are reviewed, including inherently conductive polymers, carbon-based materials, and nano-enhanced composite fibers and fibrous structures.

Keywords

• conductive textiles
• smart fabrics
• textile sensors
• textile antennas
• inherently conductive polymers
• nanoparticles