Wearables Electonics

In this work, two embroidered chipless octagonal-shaped RFID tags on cotton fabric for wearable applications are presented. The first tag is designed by using silver-coated polyamide conductive fibre (HC12) and the second tag is embroidered by using highly conductive Vectran (LIBERATOR 40) which is a highly conductive multifilament yarn spun from Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP), on cotton fabrics. The proposed tag's design uses a Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) technique for the frequency range of 8 to 18GHz and fabricated by using commercial ZSK Technical Embroidery System JCZA. The tag design is composed of six concentric octagonal loop resonators with one unitary element. The desired data bits are obtained by a series of comparative experiments for Radar Cross Section (RCS) in an anechoic chamber. The experimental results obtained show that the 4-bit data codeword is accurately retrieved with the variation of distance by up to 1.8m at 0dBm. Moreover, the experimental results include on-body RCS measurements and the bending effects on both of the tags. The tags are compared to the state of the art tags in a comparative table.

First generation solar panels are based on crystalline silicon and are predominantly rigid.  These panels have been reduced in size and are commercially available to consumers to provide solar energy on the go.  Several second PV technologies are thin enough to conform and bend to irregular topologies associated with backpacks, headbands, and other accessories for greater surface area and increased power generation.  Most third generation PV technologies are also flexible and many are compatible with printing and manufacturing processes that allow solar cells to be integrated directly into fashionable textiles and many forms of clothing including shoes, hats, shirts, shorts, and pants.  Together, the three generations of PV technologies provide multiple options for harvesting both natural and artificial light as part of wearable solar systems and everyday activity.  This chapter looks at the possibilities for powering different wearable solar systems in the quest for a truly literal, zero carbon footprint.

Wearable products with high tech content for any sport activity or exercise could perform to fulfil unmet needs or goals. The research investigated consumption goals and product evaluation with the Goal-Based Model for a study of smart running shoes. Online research was carried out to obtain the attributes of smart running shoes. Face-to-face interviews with voluntary participants were performed to explore desired goals corresponding to each attribute of the product. New participants filled in a survey questionnaire in order to measure their own subjective evaluation of the product as per their own goals. All participants were staying in Nottingham, UK during the survey. Eight different consumption goals were obtained in accordance with the attributes of smart running shoes. Product evaluation was calculated using the probability and importance of goals expected from the consumption of the product.