Title:Insights into Innovations in Polymer-based Self-healing Fabrics: Through the Lens of Patents
Volume: 18
Issue: 2
Author(s): Priya Anish Mathews*, Swati Koonisetty and Sanjay Bhardwaj
Affiliation:
- International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad, India
Keywords:
Self-healing, auto-repairing, intelligent materials, smart fabrics, innovation trends, polymers, patent analysis, functional properties, textiles.
Abstract: The transformation of ordinary fabrics into self-healing (SH) or intelligent
fabric is now emerging as an important research area. SH fabrics are capable of maintaining
their structural and functional integrity over an extended period of time, while
also offering protection and aesthetic appeal. Similar to the biological mechanism of
healing the superficial damages caused to a living being, smart fabrics are created to
have sensitivity towards the damage-causing factors and act accordingly to overcome
the damages. Polymers, owing to their versatile properties, are a preferred group of
materials to serve the demands of various technology domains. Polymer-based SH
systems for fabrics are being extensively studied for their highly beneficial applications
in the world of fabrics. The current paper analyzes the innovation trends of polymer-
based SH fabrics from a patent perspective. These fabrics are used for protective
clothing, wearables, and other advanced applications. Newer material systems or
designs are adopted to incorporate the auto-repairing ability in fabrics in response to
damages. The SH functionality ensures durability and an extended lifespan for the
fabrics. Innovation trend analysis indicated a steady positive growth trajectory for
these materials holding a promising future.
