Membranes for ultra-smart textiles: Present and Prospects

Intelligent membranes are required to overcome current drawbacks associated with the accomplishment of high standards of life, health, security and defense [1]. Membrane-sensors represent a category of smart systems capable of providing a large number of benefits to different markets including textiles [2,3]. Herein, progresses in the fabrication and use of responsive membranes in wearable fabrics and indoor/outdoor textiles are reviewed. Electro-active materials, smart gels, shape memory polymers as well as smart capsules-based membranes are examined concerning their potential to work as multi-compartment devices, where different functions can be accommodated [2,4]. Adaptive membranes and 'sense-to-act' mechanisms are discussed, covering with auto-adjustable transpiration, self-cleaning against chemical and/or biological contaminants, nutrients and drugs release along with smells capture. Future directions and new creative strategies for the creation of ultra-smart, bio-inspired and technical textiles are finally debated with an overlook towards upcoming special applications in electronic and energy storage, military as well as space and aerospace fields [5-6].