Highly conductive hybrid sewing threads and yarns CleverTex®

      - advanced solution  for smart textiles, e-textiles

CleverTex® conductive threads are formed by a process of multiple twisting of  metallic  microwires with a non-conductive textile material, usually a high-tenacity polyester filaments.

The result of this process is a relatively standard sewing thread, which is compatible with  all known and used textile technological processes, i.e. it can be applied in sewing, embroidering, weaving or knitting.

A significant advantage of this manufacturing concept is the possibility of customization in terms of thread fineness, colour shade, electrical conductivity, etc..

Most important features &  main advantages

• based on ultrafine metallic wires combined with synthetic filaments
• excellent electrical properties, esp. low linear electrical resistance in W/m required by smart textile applications
• suitable for sewing on standard sewing machines and special embroidery machine
• full compatibility with other standard textile manufacturing processes to create completely functional conductive tracks, circuits, textrodes, heating elements
• very good mechanical-physical properties
• wear stability
• high mechanical resistance, resistance to maintenance stress (> 50 washing cycles)

Applicarion areas, target groups

CleverTex® threads are designed for the creation of fully functional conductive tracks, electrical circuits, textures, heating elements, antennas and will find application in the development and production of smart textiles and final products for various areas of human activities:

Protective clothing

• the embroidered temperature sensors

Home care; health care  (improving the care of the ageing population and handicapped people)

• smart bed sheet with integrated sensors of presence, incontinency, motion detection

Sport and fitness 

• knitted textile electrodes / textrodes for heart rate and ECG monitoring

Conductive stretchable/rigid textile ribbons  (single-conductor;  multi-conductor)

• bus bars
• possible direct integration of electronic components or interposers on stretchable textile ribbon
• contacting by soldering, welding, crimping

Electrically conductive sewing thread CleverTex® are the subject matter of of the Czech utility model  owned by VUB Ústí nad Orlicí and UWB (University of West Bohemia) Pilsen under the  registration No. 2015-31136.