Smart fiber or open the way for future clothing

Perhaps knitting is no longer just a grandmother's hobby: scientists use this method to make artificial muscles that can move like humans. Researchers reported in the recent Science Progress that they created a textile actuator, a new type of smart fiber that controls motion.

Scientists use a special polymer called polypyrrole to coat the surface of cellulose "yarns", which are found in plant cell walls and are organic compounds that make up from plastics to cotton fibers. Polypyrrole deforms and elongates when energized.

They found that the smart yarn fabric was able to withstand large external forces while the knit pattern stretched. To test this new technology, the scientists woven the material into a sleeve and placed it on a small LEGO arm. Thanks to this textile actuator, the lever arm can move freely and even lift a 2 gram object.

The researchers concluded that this is only the beginning of the application of the technology. They also said that the technology can also be extended to weave other materials such as metal, carbon fiber and cotton, and make the final fabric more practical and effective.

The team also plans to use the fabric as an exoskeleton tights to make the wearable prosthesis work better, or for clothing parts such as tights, socks and sleeves to help eliminate edema.