Smart Textile with Plain Weave Structure Using Hetero-Core Optical Fiber Sensor and Wool Threads

In this study, a smart textile based on hetero-core optical fiber was proposed. The smart textile with a plain weave structure was designed by weaving the hetero-core optical fiber together with wool threads. The textile can detect small curvature change provided by stretching and bending applied to the textile. We also confirmed that the textile can be used to simultaneously monitor the textile's shape change by using the multiple sensor areas. In addition, hand motion monitoring test using the smart textile was demonstrated with wrapping the textile around the forearm. As a result, the proposed smart textile has the feasibility for body motion monitoring.