• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.41-55
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the trends of product design for textile convergence wearable smart textile fashion products according to college students' fashion life style. In this study, we used information obtained from a questionnaire issued to 201 female college students who were 20 years old for the final analysis. The questionnaires were to classify female college students groups according to the fashion life style, to examine characteristics, needs and wants of each group. The survey on the tendency of wearable smart textiles consisted of 22 items about concept and type of smart clothing product, functional material and intelligent material, recognition, preference, purchase intention, purchase factor and brand preference tendency. A total of 201 samples were analyzed by factor analysis, cluster analysis, ANOVA, crosstabs and $x^2-test$ using SPSS package program. 'brand preference oriented type was found to be interested in 'wearable' smart clothing product with monitoring function of bio-signal' and 'high functional fiber and textile product', but the credibility of 'smart clothes that can be worn and smart textile products to be useful in modern life' was low. 'fashionable individuality oriented' type showed interest in 'smart clothing and smart product', 'intelligent fiber' and 'wearable smart clothing product with monitoring function of bio-signal', but the preferences of 'light emitting fiber products' was low. 'practically purchasing-oriented' type was very interested in 'high-functional fiber and its textile products', but had inadequate knowledge on 'smart clothing and smart textile product' and showed low interest. Despite the fact that 'wearable smart clothing and smart textile products' are expensive, they were willing to purchase considering practicality and sophisticated style.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.186-191
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• 2018

Smart textile industries have been precipitously developed and extended to electronic textiles and wearable devices in recent years. In particular, owing to an increasingly aging society, the elderly healthcare field has been highlighted in the smart device industries, and pressure sensors can be utilized in various elderly healthcare products such as flooring, mattress, and vital-sign measuring devices. Furthermore, elderly healthcare products need to be more lightweight and flexible. To fulfill those needs, textile-based pressure sensors is considered to be an attractive solution. In this research, to apply a textile to the second layer using a pressure sensing device, a novel type of conductive textile was fabricated using vapor phase polymerization of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). Vapor phase polymerization is suitable for preparing the conductive textile because the reaction can be controlled simply under various conditions and does not need high-temperature processing. The morphology of the obtained PEDOT-conductive textile was observed through the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). Moreover, the resistance was measured using an ohmmeter and was confirmed to be adjustable to various resistance ranges depending on the concentration of the oxidant solution and polymerization conditions. A 3-layer 81-point multi-pressure sensor was fabricated using the PEDOT-conductive textile prepared herein. A 3D-viewer program was developed to evaluate the sensitivity and multi-pressure recognition of the textile-based multi-pressure sensor. Finally, we confirmed the possibility that PEDOT-conductive textiles could be utilized by pressure sensors.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.860-868
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• 2021

Clothing has a very important role in human life, and it is the most human-friendly platform because humans wear it in almost all the time. In the recent years, smart clothing integrated with various functions is solidifying its position as the core of next-generation Information and Communications Technology(ICT). With this global trend, the smart textiles, textiles embedded with electronic devices that are capable of performing various functions, have been attracting a lot of attention. Therefore, various research activities on the smart textiles are in progress, and the global market outlook for the smart textiles is also showing rapid growth. Among the various smart textile technologies, the textile/fiber-based wearable display has been attracting more attention because it is an essential element for wearers to intuitively control the functions integrated in the smart textiles. This paper provides insightful information and the technological elements of organic light emitting diodes(OLEDs) display, which have been evaluated as the most ideal device for luminescent clothing. Since, OLEDs have many advantages such as light weight, extremely thin thickness and great flexibility, the textile/fiber-based wearable OLEDs can be worn without any inconvenience. In addition, by introducing previous studies on the textile/fiber-based OLED displays, we intend to consider the commercial potential of the textile/fiber-based smart luminescent clothing using the OLED technologies.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.218-226
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• 2024

In recent times, many accidents have occurred due to challenges in accurately identifying the location of workers, posing a significant societal concern demanding resolution. Therefore, it is essential to develop smart luminescent safety attire to enhance worker visibility in dim environments, thereby curbing accidents. In this study, we propose the utilization of textile-based OLED devices in creating smart luminescent safety clothing, aiming to augment the discernibility of workers over extended distances in low-luminance environments. In view of this, we engineered an attachable textile-based OLED module that balances high luminous efficiency with wearer comfort. Subsequently, a prototype smart luminescent safety clothing was demonstrated, and a performance evaluation was conducted to determine whether any discomfort occurred on wearing it. The fabricated OLED luminous module exhibited high luminance, thus validating the feasibility of creating smart luminescent attire with adequate brightness. Furthermore, there was no significant wearing stress observed, even after wearing it for more than 8 hours, and there was no impediment to various work-related movements. Through this research, we successfully demonstrated OLED based on smart luminescent safety clothing, which has the potential for wide-ranging applications across various industries and occupations, and is expected to play a crucial role in averting safety incidents.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.697-707
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• 2019

This review paper deals with materials, classification, and a current article investigation on smart textile sensors for wearable vital signs monitoring (WVSM). Smart textile sensors can lose electrical conductivity during vital signs monitoring when applying them to clothing. Because they should have to endure severe conditions (bending, folding, and distortion) when wearing. Imparting electrical conductivity for application is a critical consideration when manufacturing smart textile sensors. Smart textile sensors fabricate by utilizing electro-conductive materials such as metals, allotrope of carbon, and intrinsically conductive polymers (ICPs). It classifies as performance level, fabric structure, intrinsic/extrinsic modification, and sensing mechanism. The classification of smart textile sensors by sensing mechanism includes pressure/force sensors, strain sensors, electrodes, optical sensors, biosensors, and temperature/humidity sensors. In the previous study, pressure/force sensors perform well despite the small capacitance changes of 1-2 pF. Strain sensors work reliably at 1 ㏀/cm or lower. Electrodes require an electrical resistance of less than 10 Ω/cm. Optical sensors using plastic optical fibers (POF) coupled with light sources need light in-coupling efficiency values that are over 40%. Biosensors can quantify by wicking rate and/or colorimetry as the reactivity between the bioreceptor and transducer. Temperature/humidity sensors require actuating triggers that show the flap opening of shape memory polymer or with a color-changing time of thermochromic pigment lower than 17 seconds.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.420-426
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• 2006

Korean prior studies on smart clothing seeking complete mixture of clothing and computer with diverse functions in the ubiquitous environment were so mere, while there have been aggressive activities to develop diverse smart clothing products led by the relevant industries and universities in foreign countries. Given prospective growth of the smart clothing market, there should be customers' evaluation of functions and utility of and sensitivity to smart clothing as well. This study conducted a questionnaire to Korean customers in their twenties regarding their perception and liking of and willingness to use smart clothing, and examined the needs of new functions of smart clothing. As a result, the customers in their twenties turned out to like well-designed and comfortable clothing, and be exposed to diverse and continuous computing environment. Also, they have relatively low perception but considerably high liking of smart clothing, indicating their high willingness to use smart clothing products. They cited 'selectable functions' and 'mobile and convenient ' as merits, and 'too expensive' and 'easy to wash' as demerits of smart clothing. In the respect, they proposed many interesting smart clothing ideas, such as 'clothing with automatic temperature-sensing function, which gets higher heat- insulating function by tightening the textile structure in winter and higher ventilating function by loosening the textile structure in summer.' We hope the results of this study will serve basic data for development of more efficient smart clothing in the future.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.616-620
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• 2018

Recently, many researches have been conducted to improve the performance and wearability of smart wearables. In this study, we designed and fabricated the signal and power transmission textile cables for smart wearables which have excellent wearability, durability and reliability. For the signal transmission textile cables, conductive yarns for the signal line and the ground line were developed. Three types of signal transmission textile cables have been developed using the conductive yarns. Linear density, tensile properties, electrical resistance and RF characteristics were tested to characterize the physical and electrical properties of three signal transmission textile cables. The conductive yarns have the very low resistance of $0.05{\Omega}/cm$ and showed excellent uniformity of electric resistance. Therefore, the electrical resistance of the signal transmission fiber cable can be reduced by increasing the number of conductive yarns used in signal and ground lines. However, the radio frequency (RF) characteristics of the signal transmission textile cables were better as the number of strands of the conductive yarns used was smaller. This is because the smaller the number of strands of conductive yarn used in signal transmission textile cables, the narrower and more parallel the distance between the signal line and the ground line. It is expected that the signal and power transmission textile cable for signal and power transmission will be utilized in smart wearable products.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1262-1272
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine the development trend of smart fiber by textile companies in Daegu/North Gyeongsang Province. This examination includes the development fields of smart fiber, investment size, information sources and the use degree of those, research-related infrastructure, relationship between companies' characteristics and their interests in smart fiber. Research data were collected by a survey. The definition and classification(4 areas and 12 development products) of smart fiber followed ones of Smart Fiber Technology Roadmap by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy. Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.0 program for frequency, means, t-test, and $X^2$-test. Among respondents, the numbers of dying and finish companies and export traders were the highest. It revealed that 19.6% of companies were developing smart fibers. Within 12 development products, vapor permeable/waterproof fiber showed to be most being developed, while medical fiber for human has not been developed and wasn't made an investment plan for developing. It was discovered that the biggest problem of smart fiber development was the lack of experts and the best outcome of smart fiber development was preoccupation of future market. It showed that companies got information from textile fairs but didn't often use information sources. The companies appeared to have a weak intention about research of smart fiber. The more important a company considered functionality of textile products and the more innovative and stabler the company was, the higher interest in smart fiber companies had. It was concluded that textile companies in Daegu/North Gyeongsang Province were aware of the importance of smart fiber development but they were not strongly interested in it and not enthusiastic in taking action on it.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.473-478
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• 2008

Since the late 1990, "Smart clothing" has been developed in a various way to meet user centered design and human engineering that considered usability, wearability with clothing. Under this circumstance, research and development of smart clothing has been demanded usability and wearability test. But, Study of the usability evaluation for sensor based smart clothing is insufficient. In this study, we suggest criterion of usability evaluation for sensor based smart clothing that evaluate on the point of view such as wearability of clothing, interaction of clothing and devices, interaction of body and devices. we performed qualitative and quantitative test with developed smart clothing to present usability evaluation criterion for sensor based smart clothing. As a result, total 7 categories such as 'usefulness', 'wearability', 'appearance', 'riskness', 'facility of management', 'perceived change', were extracted as the usability and wearability criterion. Additionally, 28 factors of evaluation criterion for sensor based smart clothing were indicated on the result of this research. This study have meaning to indicate usability evaluation criterion for sensor based smart clothing.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.363-373
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• 2016

This study aims to develop an all-fabric integrated smart jacket in order to create a temperature-regulating system based on a user experience design. For this research, previous research technologies of a textile switch interface and a temperature-regulating system were utilized and a unifying technology for the all-fabric integrated smart jacket was developed which can provide the appropriate temperature environments to the human body. A self-heating textile was applied at the areas of the back and hood in the final tested jacket, and an embroidery circuit was developed in the form of a rectangle in the back and in both ears of the hood, taking into account the pattern of the jacket part where it was be applied and the embroidery production method. The textile switch interface was designed in a three-layer structure: an embroidery circuit line in a conductive yarn, an interval material, and a conductive sensing material, and it was made to work with the input and output sensors through the multiple input method. After the all-fabric integrated smart jacket was produced according to the pattern, all of the textile band lines for transmission were gathered and connected with a miniature module for controlling temperature and then integrated into the inside of the left chest pocket of the jacket. After the users put on this jacket, they were asked to assess the wearing satisfaction. Most of them reported a very low level of irritation and discomfort and said that the jacket was as comfortable as everyday clothing.