Submersible touchless interactivity in conformable textiles enabled by highly selective overbraided magnetoresistive sensors
Abstract Miniature electronics positioned within textile braids leverages the persistent flexibility and comfort of textiles constructed from electronics with 1D form factors. Here, we developed touchless interactivity within textiles using 1D overbraided magnetic field sensors. Our integration stra...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Communications Engineering |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00373-x |
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| _version_ | 1849766495796592640 |
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| author | Pasindu Lugoda Eduardo Sergio Oliveros-Mata Kalana Marasinghe Rahul Bhaumik Niccolò Pretto Carlos Oliveira Tilak Dias Theodore Hughes-Riley Michael Haller Niko Münzenrieder Denys Makarov |
| author_facet | Pasindu Lugoda Eduardo Sergio Oliveros-Mata Kalana Marasinghe Rahul Bhaumik Niccolò Pretto Carlos Oliveira Tilak Dias Theodore Hughes-Riley Michael Haller Niko Münzenrieder Denys Makarov |
| author_sort | Pasindu Lugoda |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Miniature electronics positioned within textile braids leverages the persistent flexibility and comfort of textiles constructed from electronics with 1D form factors. Here, we developed touchless interactivity within textiles using 1D overbraided magnetic field sensors. Our integration strategy minimally impacts the performance of flexible giant magnetoresistive sensors, yielding machine-washable sensors that maintain conformability when integrated in traditional fabrics. These overbraided magnetoresistive sensors exhibit a detectivity down to 380 nT and a nearly isotropic magnetoresistance amplitude response, facilitating intuitive touchless interaction. The interactivity is possible even in humid environments, including underwater, opening reliable activation in day-to-day and specialized applications. To showcase capabilities of overbraided magnetoresistive sensors, we demonstrate a functional armband for navigation control in virtual reality environments and a self-monitoring safety helmet strap. This approach bridges the integration gap between on-skin and rigid magnetic interfaces, paving the way for highly reliable, comfortable, interactive textiles across entertainment, safety, and sportswear. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ec7b474d251946d8a6da2125b1abaccd |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2731-3395 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-ec7b474d251946d8a6da2125b1abaccd2025-08-20T03:04:34ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Engineering2731-33952025-02-014111010.1038/s44172-025-00373-xSubmersible touchless interactivity in conformable textiles enabled by highly selective overbraided magnetoresistive sensorsPasindu Lugoda0Eduardo Sergio Oliveros-Mata1Kalana Marasinghe2Rahul Bhaumik3Niccolò Pretto4Carlos Oliveira5Tilak Dias6Theodore Hughes-Riley7Michael Haller8Niko Münzenrieder9Denys Makarov10Department of Engineering, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent UniversityHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V., Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials ResearchAdvanced Textiles Research Group, Nottingham School of Art and Design, Nottingham Trent UniversityFaculty of Engineering, Free University of Bozen-BolzanoFaculty of Engineering, Free University of Bozen-BolzanoAdvanced Textiles Research Group, Nottingham School of Art and Design, Nottingham Trent UniversityAdvanced Textiles Research Group, Nottingham School of Art and Design, Nottingham Trent UniversityAdvanced Textiles Research Group, Nottingham School of Art and Design, Nottingham Trent UniversityFaculty of Engineering, Free University of Bozen-BolzanoFaculty of Engineering, Free University of Bozen-BolzanoHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V., Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials ResearchAbstract Miniature electronics positioned within textile braids leverages the persistent flexibility and comfort of textiles constructed from electronics with 1D form factors. Here, we developed touchless interactivity within textiles using 1D overbraided magnetic field sensors. Our integration strategy minimally impacts the performance of flexible giant magnetoresistive sensors, yielding machine-washable sensors that maintain conformability when integrated in traditional fabrics. These overbraided magnetoresistive sensors exhibit a detectivity down to 380 nT and a nearly isotropic magnetoresistance amplitude response, facilitating intuitive touchless interaction. The interactivity is possible even in humid environments, including underwater, opening reliable activation in day-to-day and specialized applications. To showcase capabilities of overbraided magnetoresistive sensors, we demonstrate a functional armband for navigation control in virtual reality environments and a self-monitoring safety helmet strap. This approach bridges the integration gap between on-skin and rigid magnetic interfaces, paving the way for highly reliable, comfortable, interactive textiles across entertainment, safety, and sportswear.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00373-x |
| spellingShingle | Pasindu Lugoda Eduardo Sergio Oliveros-Mata Kalana Marasinghe Rahul Bhaumik Niccolò Pretto Carlos Oliveira Tilak Dias Theodore Hughes-Riley Michael Haller Niko Münzenrieder Denys Makarov Submersible touchless interactivity in conformable textiles enabled by highly selective overbraided magnetoresistive sensors Communications Engineering |
| title | Submersible touchless interactivity in conformable textiles enabled by highly selective overbraided magnetoresistive sensors |
| title_full | Submersible touchless interactivity in conformable textiles enabled by highly selective overbraided magnetoresistive sensors |
| title_fullStr | Submersible touchless interactivity in conformable textiles enabled by highly selective overbraided magnetoresistive sensors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Submersible touchless interactivity in conformable textiles enabled by highly selective overbraided magnetoresistive sensors |
| title_short | Submersible touchless interactivity in conformable textiles enabled by highly selective overbraided magnetoresistive sensors |
| title_sort | submersible touchless interactivity in conformable textiles enabled by highly selective overbraided magnetoresistive sensors |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00373-x |
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