Now, a team of researchers have developed an e-textile that they say is self-powered, highly sensitive and washable.
The hope is that this could allow for control of household appliance or computer from a distance, which would be helpful for those with limited mobility.
The researchers made a self-powered triboelectric nanogenerator by depositing an electrode array of conductive carbon nanotubes on nylon fabric. To make the e-textile washable, they incorporated polyurethane into the carbon nanotube ink, which made the nanotubes firmly adhere to the fabric. They covered the array with a piece of silk and fashioned the textile into a wristband.
When swiped with a finger in different patterns, the e-textile generated electrical signals that were coupled to computers to control programs, or to household objects to turn on lights, a fan or a microwave from across the room.