Do you know your clothes could soon charge your phone? Here's how

Smart clothes that monitor vital signs and even have the ability to charge electronic gadgets could soon go from the lab to the wardrobe. Researchers at the University of Georgia have been conducting research to determine the capabilities of smart fabrics, which use innovative materials known as MXenes, to monitor health and increase safety.

The research published in ACS Omega demonstrates the potential of the materials that would monitor body temperature, heart rates, and blood pressure in real time.

MXenes bring advanced capabilities to smart textiles

The research investigates MXenes, which are two-dimensional materials that scientists create from metal compounds to develop printing and coating technologies for fabric-based applications. The research team found that these materials have special electrical characteristics and antimicrobial abilities which differentiate them from other materials.

University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences Doctoral Student Joyjit Ghosh explained that the material detects multiple health indicators while maintaining protection against bacterial growth. The special properties of MXene textiles make them valuable for use in hospitals because medical fabrics create dangerous contamination risks.

Healthcare monitoring will undergo a notable transformation through smart textiles. The clothing which contains MXene sensors will monitor vital signs and automatically contact doctors when it detects abnormal heart rate or temperature or blood pressure changes. The fabrics can modify their properties to maintain optimal body temperature for the wearer.

The athletic community can use these textiles to track their physical activity and monitor their exercise performance beyond hospital settings. The device becomes easier to wear because of its lightweight and flexible construction, which exceeds the comfort level of standard wearable technology.

Moreover, researchers have discovered that MXene fabrics can harness solar energy to power their integrated sensors. The textiles will transform into portable power sources which can recharge devices like smartphones and laptops in the coming years.