The coronavirus outbreak that commenced at the end of 2019 has led to a dramatic increase in the demand for face masks. In countries that are experiencing a shortage of face masks as a result of panic buying or inadequate supply, reusable fabric masks have become a popular option, because they are often considered more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than disposable medical masks. Nevertheless, there remains a significant variation in the quality and performance of existing face masks; not all are simultaneously able to provide protection against the extremely contagious virus and be comfortable to wear. This study aims to examine the influential factors that affect the comfort of reusable face masks, but not to assess the antimicrobial or antiviral potential. Seven types of masks were selected in this study and subjected to air and water vapor permeability testing, thermal conductivity testing and a wear trial. The results indicate that washable face masks made of thin layers of knitted fabric with low density and a permeable filter are more breathable. Additionally, masks that contain sufficient highly thermally conductive materials and have good water vapor permeability are often more comfortable to wear as they can transfer heat and moisture from the body quickly, and thus do not easily dampen and deteriorate.

A number of textile-based fiber optic sensors have recently been proposed for the continuous monitoring of vital signs. However, some of these sensors are likely unsuitable for conducting direct measurements on the torso as they lack elasticity and are inconvenient. This project provides a novel method for creating a force-sensing smart textile by inlaying four silicone-embedded fiber Bragg grating sensors into a knitted undergarment. The applied force was determined within 3 N after transferring the Bragg wavelength. The results show that the sensors embedded in the silicone membranes achieved enhanced sensitivity to force, as well as flexibility and softness. Additionally, by assessing the degree of FBG response to a range of standardized forces, the linearity (R²) between the shift in the Bragg wavelength and force was found to be above 0.95, with an ICC of 0.97, when tested on a soft surface. Furthermore, the real-time data acquisition could facilitate the adjustment and monitoring of force during the fitting processes, such as in bracing treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients. Nevertheless, the optimal bracing pressure has not yet been standardized. This proposed method could help orthotists to adjust the tightness of brace straps and the location of padding in a more scientific and straightforward way. The output of this project could be further extended to determine ideal bracing pressure levels.

Receptivity towards textile-based fiber optic sensors that are used to monitor physical health is increasing as they have good flexibility, are light in weight, provide wear comfort, have electromagnetic immunity, and are electrically safe. Their superior performance has facilitated their use for obtaining close to body measurements. However, there are many related studies in the literature, so it is challenging to identify the knowledge structure and research trends. Therefore, this article aims to provide an objective and systematic literature review on textile-based fiber optic sensors that are used for monitoring health issues and to analyze their trends through a citation network analysis. A full-text search of journal articles was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection, and a total of 625 studies was found, with 47 that were used as the sample. Also, CitNetExplorer was used for analyzing the research domains and trends. Three research domains were identified, among them, “Flexible sensors for vital signs monitoring” is the largest research cluster, and most of the articles in this cluster focus on respiratory monitoring. Therefore, this area of study should probably be on the academic radar. The collection of data on textile-based fiber optic sensors is invaluable for evaluating degree of rehabilitation, detecting diseases, preventing accidents, as well as gauging the performance and training successfulness of athletes.

This paper explores the innovative concept of using wearable technologies as a medium for musical expression. Special emphasis is placed on a unique wearable device equipped with motion, touch, and acceleration sensors, which can be used as a wrist strap, hand strap, or surface drum pad. The aim is to create a new musical instrument that simplifies music learning and expression and makes them more intuitive. The wearable device contains 32 individual touch-sensitive pressure sensors, a nine-axis inertial-measurement-unit motion sensor, and various light-emitting diode and vibrational haptic-feedback components. The inclusion of tactile and intuitive features in the wearable device enhances the musical experience of users by enabling engaging interaction. Consequently, it is believed that this groundbreaking technology has significant potential to contribute to the field of music, providing musicians with a versatile and intuitive instrument that facilitates their creative expression.

Bracing is a widely used conservative treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients, yet there is no consensus on the optimal amount of force applied. Although a number of different sensors have been developed to continuously monitor the applied pressure and force, they have several limitations, including inadequate overall force distribution and displacement. They also cause discomfort with limited wearability. In this study, body pressure mapping knitwear (BPMK) integrated with fourteen silicone-embedded fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors is developed to monitor immediate and overall changes in force during the bracing treatment. A wear trial of the BPMK is conducted by using a validated soft AIS mannequin, and prediction equations have been formulated for the FBG sensors at individual locations. The findings indicate that the measured forces are in good agreement with those obtained from clinical studies, with peak forces around the padding regions reaching approximately 2N. This was further validated by using finite element (FE) models. When comparing X-ray images, the estimated differences in Cobb angles were found to be 0.6° for the thoracic region and 2.1° for the lumbar region. This model is expected to provide valuable insights into optimal force application, thus minimizing the risk of injury and enhancing bracing compliance and efficacy. Ultimately, this innovative approach provides clinicians with data-driven insights for safer and more effective bracing applications, thus improving the quality of life of AIS patients.

This study presents a bibliometric network analysis, with a specific focus on citation networks of textile-based human respiration monitoring sensors. Drawing on 47 core publications, keyword analysis, research clustering, and main path analysis (MPA), revealed three interconnected research streams: (1) textile-integrated wearable respiratory monitoring systems for clinical and daily monitoring, (2) structure-engineered knitted and fibre-optic sensors exploring sensing mechanics, and (3) humidity-responsive nanomaterial textile sensors for breath monitoring, which often integrated into face masks (Figure 1). MPA traced the maturation of the research field from feasibility demonstrations to validated and user-centric applications, achieved through iterative advances in materials, design, and system integration. These trajectories are synergistic, with knowledge flowing across clusters to drive convergence and pointing toward hybrid, multi-modal sensing platforms as the emerging paradigm for pervasive respiratory health monitoring.