Smart textile-integrated thermochromic display for real-time temperature monitoring in elderly care

Abstract With the rapidly aging population, maintaining personalized thermal comfort and preventing heat loss for elderly individuals has become increasingly important. Heating textiles provide an effective solution for warmth; however, without proper monitoring, the risk of overheating in real-worl...

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Main Authors: Ching Lee, Jeanne Tan, Hiu Ting Tang, Annie Yu, Jun Jong Tan, Ngan Yi Kitty Lam, Ka Wing Tse
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-07-01
Series:Discover Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07532-x
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author Ching Lee
Jeanne Tan
Hiu Ting Tang
Annie Yu
Jun Jong Tan
Ngan Yi Kitty Lam
Ka Wing Tse
author_facet Ching Lee
Jeanne Tan
Hiu Ting Tang
Annie Yu
Jun Jong Tan
Ngan Yi Kitty Lam
Ka Wing Tse
author_sort Ching Lee
collection DOAJ
description Abstract With the rapidly aging population, maintaining personalized thermal comfort and preventing heat loss for elderly individuals has become increasingly important. Heating textiles provide an effective solution for warmth; however, without proper monitoring, the risk of overheating in real-world applications remains a concern. To address this challenge, thermochromic textiles offer a visual, real-time temperature indication through color change, enhancing both safety and usability. In this study, thermochromic electric heating textiles were developed in woven and knitted structures, each offering distinct hand feel and performance characteristics. Key parameters, including heating efficiency, thermochromic response, thermal insulation, and overall thermal comfort, were systematically analyzed and compared. Findings reveal that double-layer fabric structures exhibit superior heat distribution and heating efficiency compared to single-layer counterparts, with the double-layer woven fabric demonstrating a more pronounced thermochromic color change upon heating. Based on these insights, a collection of thermochromic heating cushions was designed for elderly care applications. Additionally, as a proof of concept, a fully textile-based electronic control system was proposed, enabling caregivers to remotely monitor the surface temperature of the heating fabric in real time and adjust the heating levels accordingly. By bridging the fields of textile engineering, smart materials, and healthcare monitoring, this study introduces innovative design strategies that enhance both functionality and user experience in elderly-focused heating textiles.
format Article
id doaj-art-3d1dede4cde648a0bddd0472d2c3e2eb
institution Kabale University
issn 3004-9261
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Springer
record_format Article
series Discover Applied Sciences
spelling doaj-art-3d1dede4cde648a0bddd0472d2c3e2eb2025-08-20T03:46:13ZengSpringerDiscover Applied Sciences3004-92612025-07-017812310.1007/s42452-025-07532-xSmart textile-integrated thermochromic display for real-time temperature monitoring in elderly careChing Lee0Jeanne Tan1Hiu Ting Tang2Annie Yu3Jun Jong Tan4Ngan Yi Kitty Lam5Ka Wing Tse6School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversitySchool of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversitySchool of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversitySchool of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityLaboratory for Artificial Intelligence in DesignSchool of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversitySchool of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityAbstract With the rapidly aging population, maintaining personalized thermal comfort and preventing heat loss for elderly individuals has become increasingly important. Heating textiles provide an effective solution for warmth; however, without proper monitoring, the risk of overheating in real-world applications remains a concern. To address this challenge, thermochromic textiles offer a visual, real-time temperature indication through color change, enhancing both safety and usability. In this study, thermochromic electric heating textiles were developed in woven and knitted structures, each offering distinct hand feel and performance characteristics. Key parameters, including heating efficiency, thermochromic response, thermal insulation, and overall thermal comfort, were systematically analyzed and compared. Findings reveal that double-layer fabric structures exhibit superior heat distribution and heating efficiency compared to single-layer counterparts, with the double-layer woven fabric demonstrating a more pronounced thermochromic color change upon heating. Based on these insights, a collection of thermochromic heating cushions was designed for elderly care applications. Additionally, as a proof of concept, a fully textile-based electronic control system was proposed, enabling caregivers to remotely monitor the surface temperature of the heating fabric in real time and adjust the heating levels accordingly. By bridging the fields of textile engineering, smart materials, and healthcare monitoring, this study introduces innovative design strategies that enhance both functionality and user experience in elderly-focused heating textiles.https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07532-xSmart textileHeating textileThermochromic textileTemperature monitoringElderly care
spellingShingle Ching Lee
Jeanne Tan
Hiu Ting Tang
Annie Yu
Jun Jong Tan
Ngan Yi Kitty Lam
Ka Wing Tse
Smart textile-integrated thermochromic display for real-time temperature monitoring in elderly care
Discover Applied Sciences
Smart textile
Heating textile
Thermochromic textile
Temperature monitoring
Elderly care
title Smart textile-integrated thermochromic display for real-time temperature monitoring in elderly care
title_full Smart textile-integrated thermochromic display for real-time temperature monitoring in elderly care
title_fullStr Smart textile-integrated thermochromic display for real-time temperature monitoring in elderly care
title_full_unstemmed Smart textile-integrated thermochromic display for real-time temperature monitoring in elderly care
title_short Smart textile-integrated thermochromic display for real-time temperature monitoring in elderly care
title_sort smart textile integrated thermochromic display for real time temperature monitoring in elderly care
topic Smart textile
Heating textile
Thermochromic textile
Temperature monitoring
Elderly care
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07532-x
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AT annieyu smarttextileintegratedthermochromicdisplayforrealtimetemperaturemonitoringinelderlycare
AT junjongtan smarttextileintegratedthermochromicdisplayforrealtimetemperaturemonitoringinelderlycare
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