Date:
November 8, 2017

Source:
University of Cambridge

Summary:
Researchers have successfully incorporated washable, stretchable and breathable electronic circuits into fabric, opening up new possibilities for smart textiles and wearable electronics. The circuits were made with cheap, safe and environmentally friendly inks, and printed using conventional inkjet printing techniques.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171108102209.htm



Most wearable electronic devices that are currently available rely on rigid electronic components mounted on plastic, rubber or textiles. These offer limited compatibility with the skin in many circumstances, are damaged when washed and are uncomfortable to wear because they are not breathable.

"Digital textile printing has been around for decades to print simple colorants on textiles, but our result demonstrates for the first time that such technology can also be used to print the entire electronic integrated circuits on textiles,"
said co-author Professor Roman Sordan of Politecnico di Milano.
"Although we demonstrated very simple integrated circuits, our process is scalable and there are no fundamental obstacles to the technological development of wearable electronic devices both in terms of their complexity and performance."

So, it looks like we might be able to someday watch movies on your sleeve. Make a phone call from your collar.

The way things go, someone will invent a bikini with a remote control latch or something. The beaches will never be the same.

We already have flashing shoes.
Imagine a city street where everyone is wearing flashing clothes with advertisements, pick up lines and pulsing arrows. Each one playing its own sounds.

What would be funny is a circuit with a sensor that detects body odor and flashes "STINKY" or "CLEAN".

Cyborg planet. Because humans are not inhuman enough already.