Actuation and Response Applications Drive Smart Fabrics Market
4/26/2004 - According to a report by Venture Development Corporation (VDC), "Smart Fabrics and Interactive Textiles: Global Market Opportunity Assessment," Actuation and Response applications provide the greatest near-term potential for Smart Fabrics and Interactive Textiles (SFIT).
Actuation and response applications include:
- Temperature control & energy management - includes resistive heating, thermal curing, fuel cell technology, etc.)
- Environmental management - includes biostatic/biocidal, chem./bio protection, EMI, RFI thermal shielding
- Movement and phase change technologies
According to Rick Barnard, Electronic Components/Advanced Materials Practice Director at VDC, “Sensor-based triggering of electrical response in garments - starting with military use for soldiers uniforms - is expected to transform from a $3 million segment to about an $6 million segment by 2008.”
Barnard goes on to provide another real world example: “Also within the actuation and response segment resides the application of resistive heating utilizing conductive fibers, as seen in the MET5 jacket, manufactured and marketed by the NorthFace. This jacket is marketed to skiing and mountain climbing enthusiasts. The goal is to displace market share from both traditional winter wear such as down parkas, and heated outerwear garments that utilize older technology. We see this as a viable product, that has shown great potential.”
About VDC
Founded in 1971, VDC is a technology market research and consulting firm that specializes in industrial and commercial electronics, computing, communications, software and power systems markets.
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