Creates electricity by bending back and forth

Just found this new smart material, using Piezoelectric crystals, it is currently used in very special skis, that use the energy from the ski’s vibrations to become more or less flexible for optimal performance.

"This 3D Biaxal Knitted structure material has two Self-styled exterior surfaces. These are connected by spacer yarns of different materials and simultaneously kept at a distance. 

This creates complex textile structures that can be both by flexibility, the other characterized by structural stability. The material offers strain, force absorption and strength in all three dimensions while maintaining a large degree of freedom. 

The specially designed machines are able to produce the 3D biaxial knitted fabric resulting in sophisticated textile structures for individual applications in high-end resulting composites which require a high load capacity and low weight."

"3D knitted & woven textiles, 3D Spacer & Cosmos are developed by Dutch fabric innovator Ferdinand Visser.

3D Spacer is made of polyester and polyurethane and is based on a 3D knitting technology. Used as contract seating and acoustical panels.

Cosmos is made of 100% trevira cs fibers and is based on a 3D weaving technology. Used for indoor applications, office chairs, or acoustical panels."

"The 3-Form Varia Collection is made through a patented process, in which fabrics, papers, woods, stone grit, natural products, glass and printed photographic images are encapsulated in the thermoplastic resin called EcoResin PETG , instead of acrylic. PETG has very good fire-resistance properties, making the collection better suitable for indoor applications in public buildings or facades. Various reliefs and surface textures as well as a wide range of designs, surfaces and colours, and varying degrees of opacity are available.

The panels made with the EcoResin PETG consist of 40% recycled materials. They can be used outside, but only with a transparent UV-coating on 1 or both sides. Sheets can also be given a “hard coat” finish on each side. This coating provides additional resistance to scratching, as well as allowing for easy clean up from ink and other substances." 

"2TEC2 is a balance between the art of weaving and the performance of new materials. Strength, wear and stain resistancy and colour fastness make this carpet durable. With its subtle texture and its diversity of structure, this carpet looks simple from a distance but the appearance changes under different angles of view. 

Because 2TEC2 is made out of PVC and glass fibres, it is also applicable in bathrooms, since moisture and temperature does not influence these materials. Cleaning 2TEC2 is efficient, fast and cost-effective, no chemicals are needed. 2TEC2 is 100% recyclable and meets standards for fire resistance, smoke generation and anti slip. 

Laying is easy because it is lightweight and does not require any additional treatment. 2TEC2 is available as rolls of 200cm width or tiles of 50x50cm." 

Geometri futuristic curtain

"Subcutaneous patterns give a skeleton shape to the curtain.
Geometrical shapes transform the flat fabric to unexpected volumes, with constructed folds and sculptural crack lines. Hardening elements from rubber and vinyl, in a knitted carrier, makes the pattern movable.
A Soft wall, a Curtain, a Partition Panel, an Acoustic panel
A collection materials as inspiration towards interior textile"

Powerless Illuminating Tubing

This flexible glow in the dark plastic can keep glowing for up to 20hours after only 5 minutes of exposure to sunlight. 

Rose Wallpaper

"Once flowers have already bloomed, they are usually thrown away. So that they can be enjoyed for longer and to create something of value from the waste, Zoubida Tulkens made wallpaper from rose petals. She collected rejected roses from flower growers, removed the petals, and made each one smooth using a flat-iron. Using a natural glue, Tulkens stuck the petals on wallpaper. Each sheet of wallpaper has it’s own pattern, and four sheets together create a larger pattern."

LED Light Diffusing Plastic

At the moment this type of plastic is used in car control displays, I wonder if I can come up with a new inventive use for it....

Flexible illumination

"Radiant Light Film is a multi-layer reflective film. The material is a combination of precise layers of polymer materials with different reflective qualities. Colours shift and shimmer with changes in viewing angle, light source and environment. It can be used for a multitude of decorative and technical applications for designers, packaging engineers, architectural displays and product engineers. The film can be embossed, die-cut, sheer slit, precision cut, surface treated, dyed, coated with adhesive and printed. It is engineered to obtain unprecedented levels of reflective vibrancy. Radiant Films can be combined with suitable colour substrates to produce various vibrant colours in both reflection and transmission."

Flexible Molded LEDs

I have found another LED material, that looks like neon, but it is flexible and durable silicone...

I now have a sample of LED tape and lots of helpful responses from suppliers. They even sent me a power supply.

The sketch modelling I did was useful and I have found the LED is infact extremely flexible.

"JRC Reflex produces stretch, retroreflective textile trimmings using a Micro glass beads technology. It is the glass microspheres embedded in a polyurethane layer that reflect light back to its source. There is a range of textile trimmings, in any colour, were visibility meets high safety requirements or produces flashy stylistic effects. It can be applied in multiple techniques: heat bonding, hot melt, etc." 

Bright Light!

At 4am I awoke and could not stop my brain from spinning, as I had at last thought of a product for my MADS project, combining a modern material, with old crafting methods to produce a new product. I have come up with a weaved LED ribbon lampshade!



I have also thought of a chandelier design, and even a torch. The idea is that the structure itself emits light.

You could even make a torch using the old method of shoe lace key rings.

These structures could be used in the garden as the LED tape is waterproof! So you could hang them from trees, in a tent, from a sun umbrella.

I need to expand on previous ideas to ensure I find something to focus on. I know that I have a real interest in handicrafts, also the community aspect. I have really enjoyed the workshops I went on, hearing first hand how to do things, the history behind methods, the storytelling of crafting.

But then I am also interested in recycling/using waste materials to create new products, using old methods.

"KriskaDECOR® is a metal curtain is made from small interlinked pieces of anodized aluminium which form a lightweight, versatile mesh. It is a real metallic textile. You can create a completely smooth curtain or combine colours with logos, patterns, geometric shapes and reproduction of artworks. It is a suitable material for both interior and exterior use: it’s resistance to fresh and salt water, sunlight and rust. Also it is recyclable, very lightweight, easy to clean, hygienic and non-flammable."

What is a Smart Material?

I have been looking at ways of using modern materials in crafting, so using tranditional techniques to make products out of materials that would never normally be used, and I have come across the phrase 'smart materials' a number of times.

"Smart materials are materials that have one or more properties that can be significantly changed in a controlled fashion by external stimuli, such as stress, temperature, moisture, pH, electric or magnetic fields."

Examples of Smart Materials

Piezoelectric materials
These materials can produce a voltage when stress is applied, the reverse is also true and so therefore they can be made to bend, expand or contract when a voltage is applied.

Shape memory alloys and shape memory polymers
Temperature changes or stress changes can cause deformations in these materials that can be induced and recovered.

Magnetostrictive materials
Magnetic fields can alter the shape of these materials and also their behavious in relation to mechanical stress.

Magnetic shape memory alloys
These materials alter in response to a significant change in the magnetic field.

pH-sensitive polymers
These materials trasform when the pH of their environment changes.

Temperature-responsive polymers
These materials are effected by changes in temperature.

Halochromic materials
These can change colour depending on a change in acidity.

Chromogenic systems
These materials can change colour in response to electrical, optical or thermal changes.

Photomechanical materials
These materials can actually change their shape under exposure to light.

Self-healing materials
These materials can repair themselves.

Glow in the dark plastic

"Thermoplastic Elastomers, or TPEs, are combining the properties of a thermoplastic with those of rubber. By varying compounds various demands can be met, to pose approvals for medical applications or for food contact, as well as resistance against UV and Ozone influence, extreme heat or cold, chemicals.
TPE's are easy to colour: fluorescent, metallic and pearl effect, glow in the dark."

Japanese hybrid textile

I have found only a little information about a new process, where woven textiles are made from silk and urushi lacquered wall paper. These two traditional Japanese techniques and materials are employed to create a hybrid  textile used for luxury home accessories.