Introducing A New Kind Of Intelligent Fabric That Stores Data Like A Hard Disk

There is a new kind of smart fabric exploiting the undiscovered inherent magnetic properties of everyday threads.

Researchers in the Allen School’s Networks & Mobile Systems Lab have come up with a smart fabric that can be used to store passcodes, keys, and other such information. It is a new kind of textile that does not require forms of power or sensors to operate it. The brains behind the new kind of smart fabric imbued with computing and interaction capabilities are Shyam Gollakota and Justin Chan. The Ph.D. students from the University of Washington (UW) used off-the-shelf conductive threads to create intelligent fabric by exploiting the undiscovered inherent magnetic properties of everyday threads.

Smart Fabric

An alternative to expensive RFID-based authentication systems, the data in the fabric can be read using existing hardware in smartphones. Completely electronic-free design, the smart fabric can be ironed or washed by machine. Senior author Shyam Gollakota, associate professor in UW’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering explained, “You can think of the fabric as a hard disk – you’re actually doing this data storage on the clothes you’re wearing.”

Fashion Tech
Smart fabrics that store data without electronics developed

According to ibtimes,  the researchers sewed a magnetic patch containing an identifying image onto the sleeve of a shirt, which was then passed in front of a prototype magnetic fabric reader containing an array of magnetometers and a microprocessor. The reader then determined whether the signals emitted from the sleeve matched a predetermined pattern, and when they did the sleeve unlocked the door. The duo admitted Allen School News that they foresee a future were accessories such as neckties, wristbands, and belts will double up as data storage and authentication tools.

When it comes to the technicalities, the researchers shared that the data is written into the fabric by aligning the magnetic poles of the thread in specific directions. The directions that the poles point towards can be seen as the 1 and 0 that make up most digital data, noted the report. This can be done by physically rubbing a magnet against the thread. Although it is still at research stage, this is exciting stuff. We look forward to seeing this development leading to it being applied to our everyday clothes sooner rather than later.

Share Your Tips & Corrections

Founding Editor in Chief at FashNerd.com | editor@fashnerd.com | Website

Founding editor-in-chief of FashNerd.com, Muchaneta is currently one of the leading influencers writing about the merger of fashion with technology and wearable technology. She has also given talks at Premiere Vision, Munich Fabric Start and Pure London, to name a few. Besides working as a fashion innovation consultant for various fashion companies like LVMH Atelier, Muchaneta has also contributed to Vogue Business, is a senior contributor at The Interline and an associate lecturer at London College of Fashion, UAL.

SOURCESource: IBTImes