ATIRA to conduct R&D on sensor integrated garments for Ministry of Defence

After researching on bullet proof vests and jackets, defence uniforms, and even aircraft arresters, Ahmedabad Textile Industry Research Association (ATIRA) will now be conducting R&D on sensor integrated garments for Ministry of Defence.

"We are in the process of assigning a research project to ATIRA on developing sensor integrated garments that can help transmit health related information of defence personnel to a remote system that can then take necessary decisions depending on the on-field health report. Earlier, we had assigned research project to ATIRA on developing heat and water resistant fabric for nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) garments," said K Sekhar, chief controller R&D (Implementation) at Ministry of Defence.

According to Sekhar, the ministry has also assigned a research project on developing garments using chitosen fabric, an absorbable artificial skin material, for defence garments. "The chitosen is procured from seafood waste material and is useful in medical textiles wherein it absorbs blood in case of injury and assists coagulation," added Sekhar.

Earlier, the defence research agency, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had assigned research project on protective technical textiles to ATIRA. Under the project, ATIRA was required to conduct R&D on non-woven and technical textiles utilised in defence and combat including bullet proof vests and jackets, defence uniforms and aircraft arresters.

Manufactured for non-aesthetic purposes, technical textile products are yet to gain prominence in the overall textile industry. Nevertheless, the sector is finding its foot with the growing need of such materials across industries. Apart from protective textile, the sector also includes agro textile, geo textile, medical textiles, auto textiles, among others.