Fabcell is a flexible, non-emissive, and multi-color fabric module. In Fabcell, fibers dyed with liquid crystal ink and conductive yarns connected to electronic components are woven into a square textile. By applying voltage to the conductive yarn, and changing the fabric’s temperature, the color of fabric surface can be changed. Arranged in matrices, Fabcells display images on the curves of flexible textiles. And used for clothing or with soft objects, it enables them a new expressions of visual imaginary.In Fabcell, fibers dyed with liquid crystal ink and conductive yarns are woven into a square textile. The ink changes color from transparency to red, green, and blue as voltage is applied to the conductive yarn, changing the fabric’s temperature
To realize graphics in the real world by displaying images on clothing, curtains, or furniture, and to move image-display technology from rigid devices like LCDs to flexible curved surfaces.
When Fabcells are arranged in matrices, they form a flexible display. Unlike OLED displays or emissive devices using fiber optics, Fabcell is a non-emissive and flexible textile.
In Fabcell, the fusion of chemistry and electro technology shifts the visual-display platform from hard panels to soft and portable textiles. In future work, Fabcell will be miniaturized. If the resolution of the Fabcell textile is high, images can be downloaded and burned into the fabric. Using Fabcell, clothing or curtains will be changed as if they are display devices, and our living spaces will become more informative and attractive.
Further details can be found on the researchers site: Midori Shibutani, Keio University
