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I spent a good portion of my life directing theater. I frequently told my cast (and crew), “It is the details, it is the details, it is the details.” The wrong shoes with a period suit spoils the illusion. So does rushing a pause or a late entrance. But a perfectly timed laugh line or visual joke always works. Always.
I can say the same thing–in general terms–about creating e-textile standards. (Some principles are universal!) The attention to detail is what makes the process worthwhile in the end. That may seem obvious enough, but what is and is not a relevant detail can be an amorphous thing. To that end, getting these standards right has taken time, and, as the saying goes, it’s time well spent.
The work that has been done over years is coming to fruition with meticulously considered needs, and the input of stakeholders with expertise in a range of areas that contribute to these sophisticated products. One of the key participants in this years-long process has been the IPC’s Chris Jorgensen, currently senior director, Next-Generation Standards for the recently rebranded Global Electronics Association. It serves “a diverse ecosystem,” Jorgensen says, including the “fast-growing world of e-textiles.”
It may not seem “fast” to the casual observer, but for those of us keen on watching its developments, the e-textile industry seems to be accelerating—and the necessity for reliable standards has accelerated along with it.
E-textile and other smart material research continues with exciting breakthroughs in batteries, lightweighting, more flexibility in conductive fibers, sensing technologies from wearables to large structural uses and more. Which innovations will have the most significant impact remain to be seen, but the ones that improve commercial viability are among those we’ll be watching.
I would not discount those at prototype stage, either, as accelerator programs, such as the one announced by AFFOA recently (see “AFFOA names Product Accelerator program awardees”.) AFFOA has been influential in supporting startups, as well as larger corporations, who seek to develop a new technology, material, method, or some combination of these.
The work being done at research labs in major textile centers is truly incredible. They are the folks who work at a detail level I can only imagine, but I’m a big fan of what they do, and I know you, too, will want to lend your support and encouragement when opportunities present themselves. We all stand to benefit.
Janet Preus is senior editor of Textile Technology Source. She can be reached at janet.preus@textiles.org.