This R&D project, sponsored by LASA in partnership with Fibrenamics - University of Minho, called “Development of multifunctional home textiles for children and youth” aimed to carry out research and development activities that enable the development of a line of home textiles incorporating advanced technology to be used in the children bedroom, using a set of innovative technologies, and integrating 3 components: functionality, interactivity, and comfort.
Innovation
Its intended to incorporate on this line of home textiles the following products that are divided into two major groups which combine and interact between them:
● Interactive products with the environment and/or the user
● high comfort products.
Results
The project led to the development of three prototypes, taking into consideration the three concepts covered in the project, which are interactivity, thermal insulation and sensing through a fluid sensor.
Interactivity:
A duvet with multiple areas of interactivity was developed, which included several features such as sound, light, thermo-chromic pigments, and fun games. It was also set up a changing mat on one of the sides that possessed a measuring ruler through a light for the baby.
Liquid sensor:
One cover sheet with the liquid detection capability was developed. The structure used was a triple fabric, in which was introduced conductive yarns that when associated with an electronic system, trigger an alarm transmitted by Bluetooth to a smartphone or tablet indicating that there is the need to change the sheet.
Thermal insulation:
A study was conducted on the different fibrous materials that could meet the needs of thermal control to give a better thermal comfort and reduce the thickness.
Datasheet
The SMART-BED project (NSRF Project No. 2014/38420), developed by Lasa, (Portugal), is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) through the National Strategic Reference Framework (QREN).
