Recently, researchers have become interested in exploring applications of rechargeable battery storage technology in different disciplines, which can help our daily life, such as textile-based supercapacitors. This paper briefly describes this development and classification of supercapacitors. Besides, various types of materials which are commonly used to prepare supercapacitors, such as carbons, metal oxides, alkaline earth metal salts and polymers, are introduced. Moreover, applications and methodology to prepare textile materials with supercapacitors are described. Finally, the commonly used non-destructive measuring methods for textile-based supercapacitors are also introduced.

The water absorption and transport properties of fabrics are critical to wear comfort, especially for sportswear and protective clothing. A new testing apparatus, namely Forced Flow Water Transport Tester (FFWTT), was developed for characterizing the transplanar and in-plane wicking properties of fabrics based on gravimetric and image analysis technique. The uniqueness of this instrument is that the rate of water supply is adjustable to simulate varying sweat rates with reference to the specific end-use conditions ranging from sitting, walking, running to other strenuous activities. This instrument is versatile in terms of the types of fabrics that can be tested. Twenty four types of fabrics with varying constructions and surface finishes were tested. The results showed that FFWTT was highly sensitive and reproducible in differentiating these fabrics and it suggests that water absorption and transport properties of fabrics are sweat rate-dependent. Additionally, two graphic methods were proposed to map the direction of liquid transport and its relation to skin wetness, which provides easy and direct comparison among different fabrics. Correlation analysis showed that FFWTT results have strong correlation with subjective wetness sensation, implying validity and usefulness of the instrument.

Water absorption and transport property of textiles is important since it affects wear comfort, efficiency of treatment and functionality of product. This paper introduces an accurate and reliable measurement tester, which is based on gravimetric and image analysis technique, for characterising the transplanar and in-plane wicking property of fabrics. The uniqueness of this instrument is that it is able to directly measure the water absorption amount in real-time, monitor the direction of water transport and estimate the amount of water left on skin when sweating. Throughout the experiment, water supply is continuous which simulates profuse sweating. Testing automation could even minimise variation caused by subjective manipulation, thus enhancing testing accuracy. This instrument is versatile in terms of the fabrics could be tested. A series of shirting fabrics made by different fabric structure and yarn were investigated and the results show that the proposed method has high sensitivity in differentiating fabrics with varying geometrical differences. Fabrics with known hydrophobicity were additionally tested to examine the sensitivity of the instrument. This instrument also demonstrates the flexibility to test on high performance moisture management fabrics and these fabrics were found to have excellent transplanar and in-plane wicking properties.

Increasing skin wetness tends to increase fabric–skin adhesion and friction, resulting in wear discomfort or skin injuries. Here, the magnitude estimation approach was used to assess the stickiness sensation perceived in fabrics. Seven fabric types were wetted by putting onto wet ‘skin’ surface and dried for different durations to achieve different wetness levels, simulating wearing conditions during the recovery period after sweating. Results showed that the relationship between magnitude estimates of stickiness and amount of water present in fabric demonstrated a power function. The exponents and constant from power regression show the growth rate of stickiness sensation with moisture intensity and the perceived stickiness under fixed stimulus intensity, respectively. A novel parameter, accumulated stickiness magnitude (ASM), describing how much discomfort a wetted fabric offered throughout the drying period, was developed. Thin cotton fabrics (fabric W01 and W03), having higher saturation level after contacting with wetted skin surface, arouse stronger stickiness feeling and their ASM is remarkably higher. The difference in stickiness estimates is due to the difference in chemical composition and surface geometry. This study suggests us the way to predict perceived stickiness in fabrics with different wetness levels which is useful for applications like sportswear, intimate apparel or healthcare products.

A prototype of constant temperature drying rate (DRCT) tester (CTDRT) was built to evaluate the DRCT of fabrics. The sample platform is kept at constant temperature and was placed on the balance. The platform temperature is adjustable to simulate different skin temperatures. A heater was placed underneath the sample platform, but it did not have any contact with the sample platform. This novel noncontact heating system enables real-time measurement of water evaporation in the sample throughout the whole experiment. In addition to DRCT, comprehensive information such as water absorption, water spreading, and other fabric drying features can be obtained from CTDRT. In addition, negative pressure gradient system of CTDRT can help to maintain constant atmospheric conditions at negligible wind speed, thereby enhancing the stability and sensitivity of measurement. The DRCT, a key parameter of CTDRT, of 28 fabrics investigated is between 0.36 and 2.56 mL/h at the skin temperature of 37 °C. The validity and repeatability of CTDRT were also confirmed with statistical evidence. The testing duration for CTDRT ranges from 15 to 40 min, which is similar to those of other drying methods where heat is applied, but is much faster than the conventional nonheating methods.