Uploaded April 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
We present a method for enabling arbitrary textiles to sense pressure and deformation: In-situ polymerization supports the integration of piezo-resistive properties at the material level, preserving a textile’s haptic and mechanical characteristics. We demonstrate how to enhance a wide set of fabrics and yarns using only readily available tools. To further support customization by the designer, we present methods for patterning, as needed to create circuits and sensors, and demonstrate how to combine areas of different conductance in one material. Technical evaluation results demonstrate the performance of sensors created using our method is comparable to off-the-shelf piezo-resistive textiles. As application examples, we demonstrate the rapid manufacturing of on-body interfaces, tie-dyed motion-capture clothing, and zippers that act as potentiometers.
We present a method for enabling arbitrary textiles to sense pressure and deformation: In-situ polymerization supports the integration of piezo-resistive properties at the material level, preserving a textile’s haptic and mechanical characteristics. We demonstrate how to enhance a wide set of fabrics and yarns using only readily available tools. To further support customization by the designer, we present methods for patterning, as needed to create circuits and sensors, and demonstrate how to combine areas of different conductance in one material. Technical evaluation results demonstrate the performance of sensors created using our method is comparable to off-the-shelf piezo-resistive textiles. As application examples, we demonstrate the rapid manufacturing of on-body interfaces, tie-dyed motion-capture clothing, and zippers that act as potentiometers.
