Dressware: wearable piezo- and thermoresistive fabrics for ergonomics and rehabilitation

Polymeric semiconductors in the form of spun fibers and fiber coatings possess electromechanical transduction properties suitable for the implementation of smart fabrics incorporating distributed strain and temperature sensors and contractile actuators. In addition, "all-polymer" flexible devices acting as active electronic components (transistors) have been recently disclosed (F. Garnier et al., Science, vol. 265, p. 1684-6, 1994), making eventually possible the implementation of processing functions into fabric substrates. The key element to realize sensorized fabrics systems is to reach a form which allows their integration into wearable garments.