E-textiles vs Smart Textiles
Have you ever heard of textiles that light up, heat up, or even respond to your touch? These are examples of Electronic Textiles (E-textiles) and smart textiles, two exciting branches of the textile industry that are changing the way we interact with textiles. But what sets these two apart from each other?
E-textiles, also known as electronic textiles, are fabrics that have been embedded with electronics to provide new and unique functionalities. E-textiles are made by integrating electronic components into the fabric itself, making them washable and durable. On the other hand, smart textiles are textiles that have been integrated with technology to provide a certain function or performance. They can have technology woven into the fabric or added onto the surface of the fabric.
Now, let’s dive a little deeper into these subtopics to get a better understanding of the differences between E-textiles and smart textiles.
Definition of Smart Textiles and E-Textiles
wearable technology is constantly evolving and changing. One of the most exciting areas of this evolution is the development of electronic textiles, also known as E-textiles, and smart textiles.
E-textiles, as the name suggests, are fabrics that have been embedded with electronics. This means that traditional textiles have been transformed into functional materials that can perform a variety of tasks.
For example, an E-textile might be designed to light up, change color, or generate heat.
The key feature of E-textiles is that they retain their textile properties, such as being soft and flexible, while also having the ability to perform electronic functions.
On the other hand, smart textiles are textiles that have been integrated with technology. This integration allows the textiles to respond to external stimuli, such as temperature, light, and pressure, and perform specific functions. For example, a smart textile might be designed to change color in response to changes in temperature or to become more breathable when the wearer is sweating.
“Unlike E-textiles, smart textiles don’t necessarily need to have electronic components embedded in them.
In conclusion, E-textiles and smart textiles are two exciting developments in the field of wearable technology. E-textiles are fabrics with embedded electronics, while smart textiles are textiles integrated with technology, not necessarily electronics. The difference between the two lies in how they are designed and the functions they perform.
How Smart Textiles and E-Textiles are Different in Integration Technologies
To begin with, E-textiles and Smart textiles are two terms that you may come across in the field of wearable technology. E-textiles, also known as Electronic Textiles, are fabrics with embedded electronics. These electronics are integrated into the fabric, giving the textile its “electronic” properties.
These electronic elements can be either embedded in the fabric itself or attached in a way that can be detached when needed. On the other hand, Smart textiles, as the name suggests, are textiles that are integrated with technology.
Embroider using conductive thread for an E-textile application
However,
what sets E-textiles apart from Smart textiles is the fact that Smart textiles are a broader term that encompasses not just E-textiles but also other active and passive technologies.
E-textiles only fall under the active technologies sector that can be controlled using an Electronic system. But Smart textiles can include other active technologies that don’t need an electronic system and passive technologies. This means that Smart textiles have additional methods to integrate technology into textiles apart from the integration methods seen in E-textiles. Passive technologies in smart textiles are integrated into the products in different stages such as fiber level, yarn level, and fabric level. Most of them are a result of advanced chemical and material engineering technologies.
To further elaborate on the difference,
Imagine a shirt that has a light-emitting diode (LED) integrated directly into the fabric. This is an example of an E-textile.
On the other hand, a Smart textile shirt could have a fabric made using shape-changing material to regulate body temperature, a fabric with advanced moisture-wicking technology, and so on, which are examples of passive technologies. In addition to that Smart textiles also can have passive technologies mentioned above and active technologies such as electronically controlled heating panels integrated into the same product.
In conclusion, E-textiles and Smart textiles are both exciting developments in the field of wearable technology, but it’s important to understand the key difference between the two. E-textiles are fabrics with embedded electronics, while Smart textiles are textiles integrated with technology, including both active and passive technologies.
How Smart Textiles and E-Textiles are Different in Functionality
Let’s start with E-textiles. E-textiles, also known as Electronic Textiles, are textiles that have electronics integrated into the fabric. These textiles provide new and unique functionalities such as active lighting, heating, sensing, and actuation that can be controlled using an electronic system. Imagine having a jacket that lights up at night, a scarf that keeps you warm on a cold winter day, or a shirt that can monitor your vital signs. E-textiles offer all these exciting possibilities!
On the other hand, Smart textiles are designed to interact with the wearer, respond to the environment, or perform specific functions. They are a broad term that encompasses both active technologies like E-textiles and passive technologies. These textiles can have technology woven into the fabric or added onto the surface of the fabric.
For example, a smart textile might have a fabric that changes its color depending on the temperature, or a smart shirt that helps you maintain good posture.
So, what is the biggest difference between the functionality of E-textiles and Smart textiles?
The biggest difference is that unlike E-textiles if a smart textile is made only using passive technologies then it doesn’t need an external power source or an electronic system to provide the functionality.
In conclusion, both E-textiles and Smart textiles offer unique functionalities and have the potential to change the way we interact with our clothing. So, the next time you see a piece of clothing with some cool tech integrated into it, you’ll know if it’s an E-textile or a Smart textile!
How Smart Textiles and E-Textiles are Different in Durability
E-textiles are a subcategory of Smart Textiles and fall under the active technologies sector. They are electronic devices integrated into fabrics and textiles, providing unique functionalities like lighting, heating, and sensing.
On the other hand, Smart Textiles encompasses both active and passive technologies. Passive technologies refer to the use of textiles that are enhanced with functional features, like waterproofing, and UV protection, or fabrics with technologies such as shape-memory materials, without the use of electronics.
Now, when it comes to durability, the main concern is whether the product can withstand being washed and dried in a machine, stretched, bent, and twisted without affecting its functionality.
E-textiles are more challenging when it comes to durability as the electronics embedded in them can easily get compromised. Additionally, the properties of the textile system such as stretch, drape, and bend can also impact the durability of the electronics.
Typically in the electronics industry, electronics are placed in stationary compartments to prevent behaviors such as stretch and bending. Even in a mobile phone or a watch electronic components never move within each other they always stay as a one-piece attached to a common circuit board. Hence fabric properties such as stretch, drape, and bend can compromise the electronic system and the overall E-textile system.
This is why improving the durability of E-textiles requires extensive knowledge of electronics, textiles, and E-textile systems, as well as time and research.
On the other hand, Smart Textiles that rely on passive technologies generally have higher durability, as the technologies used are more closely related to textiles and have already been developed for years in other fields. The main knowledge required to improve the durability of these products is in textile engineering, material science, and chemical engineering.
In conclusion, the durability of E-textiles and Smart Textiles is a crucial aspect to consider when deciding which technology to use.
While E-textiles have unique functionalities, their durability can be a challenge. On the other hand, Smart Textiles relying only on passive technologies have higher durability but with fewer functionalities.
It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each technology based on your specific needs and requirements.
Different technologies used in Smart Textiles and E-Textiles
To understand the difference between E-textiles and Smart textiles it’s important to understand the different technologies used in these two fields.
These two types of textiles are a result of the integration of advanced technologies with traditional textiles. When it comes to the difference between E-textiles and Smart textiles, it’s all about the type of technology used.
Let’s take a closer look at the technologies used in both.
Technologies used in E-textile products
A basic E-textile example: A LED women’s fashion jacket.
When it comes to E-textiles, active technologies are the most commonly used. This includes the use of conductive threads, sensors, and microcontrollers to create wearable electronic devices.
Examples of E-textile technologies include but are not limited to, LED lighting, heating, pressure sensors, and haptic technologies. These technologies are integrated into the textile structure and can be controlled using electronic signals.
The goal of these technologies is to make the textile more interactive and smart, hence the name E-textiles. In addition to that, all the technologies in E-textiles need an external power source as they use electronically controlled active technologies.
Technologies used in Smart Textile products
Smart textiles, on the other hand, use both active and passive technologies. This means all the Technologies used in E-textiles can also be used in Smart Textiles, in addition to that they also can be consisted of passive technologies.
Passive technologies in smart textiles include the use of fiber that react to moisture or other mechanical forces, conductive polymers, and temperature-sensitive materials. These technologies change their properties in response to changes in the environment and don’t require an external source of power.
The use of passive technologies in smart textiles makes them less intrusive, more sustainable, and more comfortable to wear.
For example, if a textile is made using LED lights to illuminate at night it can be called an E-textile product as it includes electronic elements embedded in the textile. But if the same product is made using a technology such as photoluminescence which will absorb the radiation energy and gets illuminated at night without the use of electronics or external power sources to supply current can be called, those can be called Smart textile products with passive technology.
An Example of a Smart Textile illumination product: Glow in the Dark T-shirt with Fluorescent Toner
In conclusion, both E-textiles and Smart textiles use a variety of technologies to bring new functionality to traditional textiles. Whether it’s through the use of active technologies in E-textiles or the combination of active and passive technologies in Smart textiles, these advanced technologies are transforming the way we interact with textiles.
The future potential of Smart Textiles and E-Textiles
The future of E-textiles and smart textiles is looking bright and pretty fascinating. Both have the potential to revolutionize many industries, including healthcare, fashion, and the military.
With the integration of technology into textiles, the possibilities for innovation are endless.
For example, in the healthcare industry, E-textiles and smart textiles could be used to develop wearable devices for monitoring vital signs, detecting medical conditions, and delivering therapeutic interventions.
In the fashion industry, E-textiles could be used to create clothing that lights up, changes color, or even plays music.
Furthermore, smart textiles and E-textiles could be used in the military to develop clothing with features like heating and sensing that can adapt to changing environmental conditions, providing soldiers with improved protection and comfort while they are on the front lines.
Finally, we can say that E-textiles are a subtype of Smart textiles. When we talk about smart textiles, we should never forget that it also includes E-textiles.
How to simply Categorize E-textiles and Smart Textiles
What can be called a Smart Textile product?
If a product is made using only passive technologies then that can be called a smart textile product.
What can be called an E-Textile product?
If a product is made using entirely active technologies such as electronic elements, it is referred to as either an E-textile product or a Smart textile product. But would be best to call as an E-textile product.
What can be called a Smart Textile or an E-Textile product?
If a product is manufactured employing both active and passive technologies, it is more accurate to refer to it as a smart textile product rather than an E-textile product.
It will be exciting to see how these innovative fields continue to evolve and revolutionize future industries.
Ishan, an E-textile Engineer, possesses more than eight years of expertise in the field of Electronic Textile product development. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering. He also holds a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Project Management, along with a Master’s degree focused on Wearable Technology from the University of Calgary in Canada.
