Textiles with Thermal Identification

Unique ID

TO172144

Technology Status

Available for Licensing

Technology Readiness Level

TRL6

Published on

16th Nov 2020

Updated on

18th Nov 2020

Technology Overview

^{Woven authentication pattern in textile is an important method for identification, which commonly include fibers with different colors, such as security labels. However, the colored fiber is not a promising solution for authentication patterns as it would affect the appearance of the textiles and the visible pattern is less secure. Meanwhile, the limited choice of fluorescent limits the particularity of the constituent fibers and the authentication function is deeply dependent on the interweaving technique, which may be easily forged. Here, we demonstrate a new approach towards textile authentication by introducing fibers with predesigned functional structures. The emission of the fibers in the infrared region has been effectively modified by these structures, which can be directly observed under a thermal camera, while the formed pattern cannot be seen in the visible region. Textiles with thermal identification are thus achieved by the combination of functional pattern and interweaving technique.}

Technology Features & Specifications

The fiber fabrication process is based on the thermal drawing technique, which is highly stable and scalable.
The feature size of the functional structures could be as small as 100 nm, enabling a wide range of thermal patterns and precise control of the emission level.
The authentication pattern is invisible to the naked eye but can be easily observed by an infrared camera without additional radiation.
The materials of the fibers are inexpensive and environment friendly.
Thickness: 0.1 mm – 0.5 mm
Optical transparency: >90% with the thickness of 0.1 mm
Tensile strength: 20-200 MPa
Structure size: 100 nm – 20 µm
Max working temperature: 120 oC
Fiber length: km