Dynamic qualities of smart textiles: study of stimuli magnitude with chromic pigments

Abstract

Smart textile behaviour encompasses changes over time, which are triggered upon a sensed stimulus. With a focus on dynamic qualities, this research sought to study how gradual and reversible transitions of smart textiles can be influenced by the activation variable – stimuli magnitude. Taking into account an analysis of different external stimuli for the same property change, the experimental work was conducted with Colour Change Materials, namely textiles screen printed with thermo, photo and hydrochromic pigments. The results attained demonstrate how stimuli magnitude can affect textile temporal expressions, in this case: hue, saturation and lightness, as well as pace change. In addition, different considerations also arose in respect to each stimulus’ energy type and interdependencies between stimuli types. Contributing to the understanding of dynamic qualities of smart textiles and chromic materials’ properties, this research also discusses further alternatives to explore textile behaviour towards new design possibilities for smart textiles as dynamic interfaces.