CPI Collaborates with Pireta Limited on Smart Clothing Project

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) is collaborating on a project to support the development of next-generation smart clothing. Working with Pireta Limited, CPI is aiding scale-up of wearable technology in textiles.
 
The technology coats individual fibers with metal on fabrics in selective patterns without changing its physical and mechanical properties. This enables wearable electronics to be more discreet, as the electrodes are integrated into the fabric.
 
CPI, with its expertise in hybrid and stretchable electronics, is supporting Pireta’s work on developing a unique process to make durable, flexible, interconnecting electrodes that avoid changing fabric feel and performance. Pireta’s patent-pending technology has the potential to enable truly wearable smart electronic systems through the attachment of copper within textile yarns.
 
Employing aqueous processes and commercially available chemistries, Pireta has a track record of consistently producing highly conductive, robust and complex circuit demonstrators on a variety of textiles. This gives the textiles a low sheet resistance, a conductor that does not crack, and flexibility, breathability and performance that is maintained when washed or stretched.
 
Using CPI’s state-of-the-art equipment, the project, known as TexAnn, aims to significantly reduce existing manufacturing timescales while optimizing electrode pattern resolution; demonstrating the commercial viability of Pireta’s technology.
 
We value the help CPI is bringing to the TexAnn project, and the step up in our ability to scale-up manufacturing.
 
“We need to bring our game-changing technology to market, and this collaboration with CPI is key to that delivery,” said Chris Hunt, Pireta founder and CTO.

CPI is using its state-of-the-art equipment and industry expertise alongside Pireta Limited to support the scale-up of wearable technology in textiles. (Source: CPI)