An adaptive sheet that includes a first layer defining a first length, the first layer configured to assume a base configuration in response to a first environmental condition and assume a lofted configuration in response to a second environmental condition with the first layer being curled along the first length compared the base configuration. The first fabric layer includes a first material defining a second length and having a first expansion coefficient, and wherein the first material is configured to increasingly change length along the second length in response to the second environmental condition, and a second material defining a third length and having a second expansion coefficient that is different than the first expansion coefficient.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for producing and using a knitted fabric including one or more integrated sensors. According to one embodiment, a soft touch sensor can comprise a first knitted conductive layer of metallic-coated, plaited yarn and a second knitted conductive layer of metallic-coated, plaited yarn disposed parallel to the first knitted conductive layer. A knitted dielectric layer disposed between the first knitted conductive layer and the second knitted conductive layer. The knitted dielectric layer can be plaited into the first knitted conductive layer and the second knitted conductive layer and can form a spacer between the first knitted conductive layer and the second knitted conductive layer.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for producing and using a knitted fabric including one or more integrated sensors. According to one embodiment, a soft touch sensor can comprise a first knitted conductive layer of metallic-coated, plaited yarn and a second knitted conductive layer of metallic-coated, plaited yarn disposed parallel to the first knitted conductive layer. A knitted dielectric layer disposed between the first knitted conductive layer and the second knitted conductive layer. The knitted dielectric layer can be plaited into the first knitted conductive layer and the second knitted conductive layer and can form a spacer between the first knitted conductive layer and the second knitted conductive layer.

A woven textile and method for making the same are provided. The woven textile defines a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal direction. The woven textile includes a plurality of lateral threads and a plurality of longitudinal threads, and each of the plurality of lateral threads winds back in the lateral direction to form a lateral space. The plurality of longitudinal threads are respectively disposed through the lateral space and wind back in the longitudinal direction to form a plurality of first eyelets, and the plurality of longitudinal threads then shift in the lateral direction, extend through respective ones of the plurality of first eyelets and wind back in the longitudinal direction to form a plurality of second eyelets.

A manufacturing method of a thermoelectric conversion device having a textile structure. The thermoelectric conversion device having a textile structure uses one or multiple types of thermoelectric yarns as thermocouples of a thermoelectric generator structure, and uses elastic insulating yarns as a main carrier portion of a textile article. The invention utilizes the characteristic of a textile article of having woven and overlapping warp and weft yarns, and the thermoelectric yarns are woven into a thermoelectric generator textile article by using a conventional weaving technique. The thermoelectric transfer performance and the performance of the main carrier thereof are adjusted by varying an interweaving structure of the textile article, placement positions of the thermoelectric yarns, and the length of the thermocouples thereof. The present invention is widely and flexibly applicable in the fields of sports and health, medical smart apparel, smart homes, wearable touch screens, electronics, even automobiles, architectures, and the like.

A manufacturing method of a thermoelectric conversion device having a textile structure. The thermoelectric conversion device having a textile structure uses one or multiple types of thermoelectric yarns as thermocouples of a thermoelectric generator structure, and uses elastic insulating yarns as a main carrier portion of a textile article. The invention utilizes the characteristic of a textile article of having woven and overlapping warp and weft yarns, and the thermoelectric yarns are woven into a thermoelectric generator textile article by using a conventional weaving technique. The thermoelectric transfer performance and the performance of the main carrier thereof are adjusted by varying an interweaving structure of the textile article, placement positions of the thermoelectric yarns, and the length of the thermocouples thereof. The present invention is widely and flexibly applicable in the fields of sports and health, medical smart apparel, smart homes, wearable touch screens, electronics, even automobiles, architectures, and the like.

The invention provides an antimicrobial fiber which exhibits excellent antimicrobial properties even without the addition of antimicrobial agents and can remain antimicrobial even after repeated washing. The antimicrobial fiber comprises a fiber having on a surface thereof a polyacetal copolymer (X) containing oxyalkylene groups, the molar amount of oxyalkylene groups in the polyacetal copolymer (X) being 0.2 to 5 mol % relative to the total of the molar amount of oxymethylene groups and the molar amount of oxyalkylene groups.

The invention provides an antimicrobial fiber which exhibits excellent antimicrobial properties even without the addition of antimicrobial agents and can remain antimicrobial even after repeated washing. The antimicrobial fiber comprises a fiber having on a surface thereof a polyacetal copolymer (X) containing oxyalkylene groups, the molar amount of oxyalkylene groups in the polyacetal copolymer (X) being 0.2 to 5 mol % relative to the total of the molar amount of oxymethylene groups and the molar amount of oxyalkylene groups.

A woven/knitted fabric (1) has a plurality of ridges (6) formed along one direction, and each ridge (6) is constituted by a top (3) and side walls (4), (5) under the top (3). At least one of the top (3) and side walls (4), (5) is different in color from other two of them. At least part of the plurality of ridges (6) is arranged such that a distance L4 between the ridges (6) adjacent to each other is 0.2 to 2.5 mm. The ridges (6) are set so as to satisfy the following relations:

Ratio Ra=(L2+L3)/L4=0.8 to 7.9;

Ratio Rb=L1/(L2+L3)=0.4 to 1.6;

Ratio Rc=L2/L3=0.2 to 0.9; and

Ratio Rd=L1/L5=0.4 to 1.2,

where L1 is a width of the top (3), L2 is a thickness of the top (3), L3 is a height of the side walls (4), (5), and L5 is a distance between wall surfaces of the side walls (4), (5).

Provided is a spiral membrane element that has a restricted outer diameter and is capable of being decreased in operation energy therefor. The element is a spiral membrane element including plural membrane leaves in each of which a permeation-side flow-channel member is interposed between opposed separation membranes; a supply-side flow-channel member interposed between any two of the membrane leaves; a perforated central pipe on which the membrane leaves and the supply-side flow-channel member are wound; and a sealing part that prevents a supply-side flow-channel member from being mixed with a permeation-side flow-channel member. This element has an efficiency index E of 0.005 to 0.10, the index being calculated in accordance with an expression described below, and the thickness of the supply-side flow-channel member is from 10 to 110 mil. Efficiency index: E=0.0024X0.2373+(Y/(D.sup.2L)) wherein X is a thickness [mil] of the supply-side flow-channel member, Y is an effective membrane area [ft.sup.2] of the separation membranes, D is an outer diameter [inch] of the membrane element, and L is a length [inch] of the membrane element.