Clevertex - Grado Zero Espace Srl

Fig. 9 SOFTswitch fabric integrated in the sleeve of a jacket [37]
Wronz is also looking at the possibility of adding the polymer at the yarn stage to build electromechanical
fabric sensors.
The British company Eleksen Limited, formerly Electrotextiles, commercialises a soft and flexible
textile based sensory fabric under the tradename ElekTex ® Smart Fabric Interfaces [38]. It is a
combination of conductive fibres and nylon. This combination results into a durable, reasonably priced,
washable and even wearable 3D structure. The principal applications are focussed on XY positioning
and pressure measurements. The point where pressure is being exercised on the fabric can be
localised by means of this XY positioning. This technology is already applied to make “soft” telephones
and a folding keyboard. For instance, the smart fabric touchpad controller can be integrated into bags
or backpacks for cellular phones and iPods. The fabric is capable to remote music control functions,
e.g. the volume. The ElekTex ® scroll volume control touchpad consists of a control sensor, an
electronic interface box and a stereo output connector.
Additionally, the ElekTex ® fabric is also used in the development of car seats, with the aim of having
an optimal weight distribution in order to increase the seating comfort.
Fig. 10 Products manufactured from Elektex [38]
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