Scientists design fabrics that can store charge for smart clothes

The method uses a micro-supercapacitor and combines vapour-coated conductive threads with a polymer film

Scientists have developed a method that can allow fabrics to store charge, paving the way for self-powered smart garments that can monitor health in real time.

A major factor holding back development of wearable biosensors for health monitoring is the lack of a lightweight, long-lasting power supply.

Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the US have developed a method for making a charge-storing system that is easily integrated into clothing for "embroidering a charge-storing pattern onto any garment." "Batteries or other kinds of charge storage are still the limiting components for most portable, wearable, ingestible or flexible technologies. The devices