QinetiQ
The key to 21st century competitive advantage will be the development of products with increasing levels of functionality. This will include structural and non-structural functions, individually and in combination, both active and passive.
by George JeronimidisCentre for Biomimetics, University of Reading
Polymers which can change shape in response to electrical stimuli have been known for over a hundred years. In the last decade there have been significant developments in electroactive polymers (EAPs) to produce substantial change in size or shape and force generation for actuation mechanisms in a wide range of applications, robotics and smart textiles in particular. In contrast to many conventional actuation systems, many types of EAPs are also capable of providing sensing functions.
by Michael PitkethlyCenamps
When one is considering utilising nanomaterials in textiles much depends on what functionality is desired and the compatibility of the nanomaterial with the fibre material.
FLEXIBLE DISPLAYS AND TEXTILES
by John FysonKodak
To have textiles change with time or to display a changing image, a thin conventional display can be fixed to it. Flexible displays can bend with the textiles. A step further than this, would be to incorporate the imaging means into the textile weave; the fibres could be made conducting to drive current, other fibres could respond to the electrical signals by changing hue or emitting coloured light.