Research project P2/08 (Research action P2)
Context
In “intelligent textile” products one of the aims is to embed electronic functions in garments, upholstery, etc. This is usually done using standard electronic devices in rigid packages like portable phones, mp3 players, etc. which are integrated by putting them in pockets, buttons, etc. The drawbacks are (1) the device cannot deform (e.g. stretch) in the same way textile does and (2) the device must be taken out of the garment during cleaning of the textile.
Project description
Objectives
It is precisely the aim of the SWEET project (Stretchable and Washable Electronics for Embedding in Textiles) to perform work in the direction of highly integrated electronics in textile, which eliminates the above mentioned drawbacks. SWEET aims at the development of a technology platform for stretchable and washable electronic circuits and for embedding technologies of these circuits in textiles.
Methodology
The starting point for the developments was an embryonic technology for stretchable electronic circuits for medical (implantable) applications which was under development at one of the partners in the frame of the Flemish Community sponsored SBO-project “BioFlex”. To reach the goals of SWEET following logical sequence of activities is being carried out:
• Technology developments are driven by 2 demonstrators, selected and specified at the beginning of the project.
• Development of technology building blocks:
o Technology for stretchable electronic circuits, suitable for textile embedding
o Development of electro-active polymers for use in sensor devices
o Technology for surface modification to improve the polymer/polymer and polymer/metal adhesion
o Technology for integration of the electronic substrate in the textile, including washability and typical textile handling tests
o Technology for connection of the stretchable circuits with textronics elements like e.g. conducting fibres
• Design, production and testing of the demonstrators.
Interaction between the different partners
The project is executed by a very well balanced consortium bringing together the various necessary competences:
• UGent/ELIS/TFCG (Prof. Jan Vanfleteren) is an electronic substrate and assembly process technology provider and is developing technology for stretchable electronic circuits.
• KULeuven/ESAT/MICAS (Prof. Bob Puers) is specialized in electronic system design and is responsible for the design and testing of the demonstrators.
• Centexbel (Ir. Jean Léonard and Dr. Dimitri Janssen) is a Collective Research Centre on textile and is responsible for development of the technology for integration of the stretchable electronic circuits in textiles.
• UCL/MAPR/PCPM (Prof. Arnaud Delcorte and Prof. Patrick Bertrand) is a polymer materials specialist and is responsible for the development of new electro-active polymers and for surface modification and characterization activities.
Results
Expected results and/or products
• A universal intelligent textile building block on the base of MID (Moulded Interconnect Device) stretchable circuit technology
• A fully functional user-defined demonstrator, including textronics elements and selected electro-active polymer sensors
• A wide technology platform for washable and stretchable electronic circuits, including technologies for embedding in textiles, interconnection with textronics components, and electro-active polymer sensors
Valorisation and dissemination activities
• A follow-up committee has been installed which will intensively interact with the consortium. Composition of this committee can be found below.
• Both spin-off creation and partnership with an existing company are foreseen as possible valorisation strategies for the demonstrators and the technology platform.
• An IP platform will be built by filing patent applications on original findings.
• The consortium members will actively promote the SWEET technology in numerous other related projects where they are involved and where the SWEET technology can be of use. This will undoubtedly lead to additional short term applications or longer term follow-up R&D projects.
• Non-confidential material is / will be disseminated through different channels: public website (see below), 1 workshop at the end of the project, scientific publications, press releases, etc.
Partners
Contact Information
Project website: http://tfcg.elis.ugent.be/projects/sweet/
Coordinator
Jan Vanfleteren
Universiteit Gent (UGent)
Electronics and Information Systems department / TFCG Microsystems group
Technology Park 914
B-9062 Gent-Zwijnaarde
Tel: +32 (0)9 264 53 60
Fax: +32 (0)9 264 53 74
jan.vanfleteren@elis.ugent.be
Promoters
Robert Puers
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KULeuven)
Department ESAT/MICAS
Kasteelpark Arenberg 10
B-3001 Leuven
Tel: +32 (0)16 32 10 82
Fax: +32 (0)16 32 19 75
robert.puers@esat.kuleuven.ac.be
Jean Léonard
Centexbel-Verviers
Avenue du Parc 38
B-4650 Herve (Chaineux)
Tel: +32 (0)87 32 24 34
Fax: +32 (0)87 34.05.18
jean.leonard@centexbel.be
Arnaud Delcorte
Université catholique de Louvain (UCL)
Unité PCPM
Bâtiment Boltzmann
Place Croix du Sud 1
B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
Tel: +32 (0)10 47 35 82
Fax: +32 (0)10 47 34 52
delcorte@pcpm.ucl.ac.be
Follow-up committee
Companies with different profiles are involved in the SWEET follow-up committee:
• base materials suppliers
• textile companies
• electronics companies and system integrators from the medical / wellness / sports sector
• end-users (medical sector)
The follow-up committee is composed as follows:
Erwin Lammens - Alsico
Rik Vera - Domo
Herbert De Breuck - Luxilon
Pierre Ansay - Nomics S.A.
Jean-Pierre Peters - D.T.I. S.A.
Katinka De Bruyn - Verhaert
Sandrine Teixeira - Dow Corning Corporation
Alain Bouffioux - NXP Semiconductors
Jan Geeraert - Recticel
Bavo Muys - Agfa
Stéphane Béfahy - Neurotech S.A.
Dirk Matthys - Gent University Hospital / paediatrics
Michel Struys - Gent University Hospital / anaesthesia
Paul Boon - Gent University Hospital / neurology
Rudy Vanmaele - Fibertex
Ria Bruynseels - IWT Vlaanderen
Stretchable and Washable Electronics for Embedding in Textiles (SWEET) : final report
Vanfleteren, Jan - Puers, Robert - Buyle, Guy ... et al Brussels : Belgian Science Policy, 2011 (SP2291)
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