Knitting for Smart Textiles and Aerospace

About

The project consisted of two lines of knitting exploration for industrial applications, utilizing knitting bed machine technology. The first line concentrated on smart textiles, specifically designing soft, stretchy sensors. The goal was to test different combinations of conductive thread with regular and elastic yarns to assess their conductivity and performance. Based on studies, various knitting techniques were applied to enhance the conductivity of the materials, including fringe, re-hung stitches, stripes, overlap pleats, mock-rib, and garter stitch. These experiments aimed at optimizing the fabric’s functionality for smart textile applications.

The second line of the project focused on aerospace applications, exploring unconventional materials for structural design solutions. The primary material tested was monofilament, a lightweight, durable material knitted to create structures resembling aluminum honeycomb, often used in aircraft structures. Several knitting techniques were employed to determine the best approach for working with monofilament, including combining it with regular yarn. Additionally, heat-shrink tubing and elastic yarn were used to explore material performance, with the aim of achieving functional solutions for aerospace environments.