Wearable Electronic Network Made from Discrete Parts

Conventional textiles are currently used in military systems as varied as personal equipment and soft-walled shelters. The Army and other armed forces have recognized the opportunity to greatly enhance the mobility, effectiveness and even lethality of their forces by incorporating electrical functionality into textiles. Applications such as electrically-networked or illuminated battle dress uniforms (BDUs) and tents illustrate the value of electro-textiles (e-textiles). During the Phase I program, IST successfully developed and demonstrated the basic components of its Selectively-Enabled Wiring in Textiles (SEWit) technology. In the proposed Phase II effort, IST will expand upon the capabilities of the SEWit system and demonstrate its potential by fabricating full-scale prototypes. Accomplishing these objectives will require further development of the various technologies comprising the SEWit system, and the establishment of key partnerships with Greenwood Mills and Bradford Dye, who are in the product supply chain. During Phase II the BDU and its constituent rip-stop cotton-nylon broadloom fabric will be used as the test product.