Top 10 Smart Textiles experts to follow
Dr. Mark Liu: An innovative textile designer with a background in mathematics, Liu has been pioneering the intersection of advanced computation with traditional textile techniques, leading to the creation of intelligent fabric structures and designs.
Prof. Juan Hinestroza: Based at Cornell University, Hinestroza’s work delves into the nanoscale world of fibers. He’s renowned for developing methods to make threads conductive, leading to textiles that can capture solar energy or detect hazardous chemicals.
Tricia Carey: As the Director of Global Business Development for Lenzing Fibers, Carey is deeply involved in the sustainable and smart textiles industry, driving innovations in materials that are both environmentally friendly and technologically advanced.
Dr. Leah Heiss: An academic and designer, Heiss’s work at RMIT University in Australia combines wearable tech with medical needs. She has been involved in designing textiles and wearables that provide therapeutic benefits, from enhancing hearing to monitoring vital signs.
Dr. Sundaresan Jayaraman: Based at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Jayaraman has been a leading voice in the wearable computing and smart textiles arena. His research has contributed to the development of textiles that can gather, process, and communicate data.
Madison Maxey: Founder of LOOMIA, a company at the forefront of integrating electronic circuits into fabrics. Maxey’s vision and expertise have been crucial in driving innovations in heated, touch-sensitive, and light-emitting textiles.
Prof. John A. Rogers: With a background in physical chemistry and material science, Rogers’ work at Northwestern University has led to breakthroughs in biocompatible electronic materials, paving the way for wearables and textiles that can monitor health metrics in real-time.
Prof. Zhenan Bao: A chemical engineer at Stanford University, Bao’s research has focused on developing skin-inspired organic electronic materials. These innovations have vast potential for creating textiles that can sense and respond to environmental stimuli.
Dr. Jess Jur: A researcher at North Carolina State University, Jur’s expertise lies in integrating systems thinking with textile development. Her work emphasizes the design and manufacturing of textiles that can capture and store energy or incorporate sensors.
Dr. Marina Sala de Medeiros: As a researcher focused on smart textile interfaces, de Medeiros has explored how textiles can be made interactive, leading to fabrics that can change color, generate light, or respond to touch.