Scientists develop clothing that can communicate
New York, Aug 12 : Researchers have, for the first time, produced fibres with embedded electronics that are so flexible they can be woven into soft washable fabrics and made into wearable clothing.
Embedding high speed optoelectronic semiconductor devices, including light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and diode photodetectors, into washable fabrics also makes it possible to produce clothing that communicates optically with other devices.
This discovery, described in the journal Nature, could unleash a new 'Moore's Law' for fibres, in other words, a rapid progression in which the capabilities of fibres would grow rapidly and exponentially over time, said researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston.
The key breakthrough for producing these new fibres was to add to the preform light-emitting semiconductor diodes the size of a grain of sand, and a pair of copper wires a fraction of a hair's width.
When heated in a furnace during the fibre-drawing process, the polymer preform partially liquifies, forming a long fibre with the diodes lined up along its centre and connected by the copper wires.
"We are anticipating the emergence of a 'Moore's law' analogue in fibres in the years ahead," said Yoel Fink from the varsity.
"It is already allowing us to expand the fundamental capabilities of fabrics to encompass communications, lighting, physiological monitoring, and more. In the years ahead, fabrics will deliver value-added services and will no longer just be selected for aesthetics and comfort," Fink added.
In this case, the solid components were two types of electrical diodes made using standard microchip technology: LEDs and photosensing diodes.
The resulting fibres were then woven into fabrics, which were laundered 10 times to demonstrate their practicality as possible material for clothing.
One of the advantages of incorporating function into the fibre material itself is that the resulting fibre is inherently waterproof.
To demonstrate this, the team placed some of the photodetecting fibres inside a fish tank.
A lamp outside the aquarium transmitted music through the water to the fibres in the form of rapid optical signals.
The fibres in the tank converted the light pulses -- so rapid that the light appears steady to the naked eye -- to electrical signals, which were then converted into music. The fibres survived in the water for weeks.
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Shivakumar mocks JD(S), says party may merge with the BJP soon
Bengaluru (PTI): Taking a dig at the JD(S), Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said it appears that the regional party may merge with the BJP in the days ahead.
Taking a swipe at JD(S) second-in-command H D Kumaraswamy, the deputy CM said he was more experienced than the union minister both in politics and administration, and that there was no need for Shivakuamr to learn from him on administrative matters.
"Looking at Kumaraswamy's attitude, it appears to me that the JD(S) may merge with the BJP soon. It will be good for us (Congress) if the merger happens, as there will be a direct fight between two parties (Congress and BJP). Instead of having a party for the name sake, it will be good for our party if they merge with the BJP as soon as possible," Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters after inducting a JD(S) leader and his supporters from Chamarajapete assembly constituency in Bengaluru into the Congress, he said the JD(S) is like a "personal property", and as a political party it doesn't have an ideology or a principle.
Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress President said, many leaders from BJP and JD(S) have told him personally that if the merger happens they too can take decide on their political future.
"There is a lot of confusion between leaders of both the parties (BJP and JDS) in various constituencies, as they are worried about their own political future with the alliance," he added.
Reacting on JD(S)' plans for a friendly fight with BJP in the local body polls, he advised them for a merger instead, and fight the polls, as the friendly fight may cause confusion among both parties' workers and leaders.
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"We (Congress) are ready for a direct flight. We are ready even if there is a three cornered contest, we have done it in the past too, but according to me a contest between two parties is good for state politics," he added.
Responding to Kumaraswamy's comments accusing him of interfering in Home department's affairs, and questioning why he convened a meeting of police officers recently in connection with the Ballari clashes, the deputy CM said he was more experienced than the JD(S) leader in politics and administration, and need not learn anything from the former.
"I'm more experienced than Kumaraswamy in politics. I have better experience. I might not have become the chief minister, but I have better experience in administration, better than Kumaraswamy. I have been a minister for a very long time. I know what is administration, how to work, whom to call and whom not (for meetings), I know. I don't want to learn anything from Kumaraswamy," he said
Claiming that several BJP leaders have appreciated his work as the Bengaluru Development Minister, Shivakumar said that party leaders have told him that looking at the work being taken up in the city, they fear they don't have a future.
Inducting JD (S) leader Govindaraj and his supporters into Congress, he said that unhappy with that party's alliance with the BJP, and wanting to continue their secular politics they are joining the national party.
"Many people from other constituencies too are getting in touch with us to join the party. We will decide on it," he added.
The government has decided to hold polls to local bodies across the state this year, he said, and called on the party workers to prepare for it.
Stating that the polls for five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) are approaching, he urged the ticket aspirants who are willing to contest the polls to submit their applications at the earliest, as the verification requires time.
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