Smart and hybrid materials: perspectives for their use in textile structures for better health care.
High tech materials such as Shape Memory Alloys can be effectively integrated in textiles, thus providing multifunctional garments with potential application to the health care industry or for simply improving the quality of life. The objective of the present paper is to describe the development of a novel hybrid fabric with embedded shape memory (Nitinol) wires, and the related clothing application with the capability of recovering any shape depending upon the environment and becoming superelastic. The use of these smart garments for biomedical applications will be illustrated, thus opening new perspectives for enhanced health care provision.
Carosio
Stefano
S
D'Appolonia S.p.A. Via San Nazaro 19, 16145 Genova, Italy. stefano.carosio@dappolonia.it
Monero
Alessandra
A
D000497:Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D020811:Biomedical Technology; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D003020:Clothing; D004559:Electric Wiring; D006801:Humans; D013784:Textiles
D000497:Alloys; C013616:nitinol