For signal transmission and sensing in stretchable structures for human motion monitoring or proprioception of soft robots, textiles with electronically conductive yarns are a promising option. Many recent publications employ silver-plated yarns in knits, braids, wovens for strain or pressure sensing purposes as well as heating fabrics or twisted string actuators. Silver-plated yarns are available in a wide range of base materials, yarn counts and twists. These structural properties significantly influence the electrical and electromechanical behavior of such yarns. However, until now little research has been carried out on the yarns themselves. To close this research gap, several variations of a single yarn type are electromechanically characterized. Additionally, tensile tests with synchronous resistance measurements are performed. From these measurements, sensor metrics are derived and calculated to compare the different variants quantitatively.

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) aims to improve the gait pattern in cases of weak foot dorsiflexion (foot lifter weakness) and, therefore, increase the liveability of people suffering from chronic diseases of the central nervous system, e.g., multiple sclerosis. One important component of FES is the detection of the knee angle in order to enable the situational triggering of dorsiflexion in the right gait phase by electrical impulses. This paper presents an alternative approach to sensors for motion capture in the form of weft-knitted strain sensors. The use of textile-based strain sensors instead of conventional strain gauges offers the major advantage of direct integration during the knitting process and therefore a very discreet integration into garments. This in turn contributes to the fact that the FES system can be implemented in the form of functional leggings that are suitable for inconspicuous daily use without disturbing the wearer unnecessarily. Different designs of the weft-knitted strain sensor and the influence on its measurement behavior were investigated. The designs differed in terms of the integration direction of the sensor (wale- or course-wise) and the width of the sensor (number of loops) in a weft-knitted textile structure.

Textile membranes are suitable for a wide range of applications due to their user-adjustable properties, which can be modified based on both the textile reinforcement structure and the coating material. Complex dynamic loads are involved in typical usage scenarios for load-bearing components of textile architecture, e.g., unsupported convertible roofs of halls or stadiums, temporary buildings, large-volume consumable media storage and the main sail of sailing boats. It is generally known that particularly in the area of membrane joints, successive degradation of seam strength may occur. This paper addresses the realization of an in situ measurement system for textile surface formation in textile membranes, which is introduced locally in the area of the joining zone and is compatible with the materials as well as the ultrasonic welding process itself. These development efforts are supported by a numerical investigation in terms of the serviceability and residual load-carrying capacity of the joining zone and the textile membrane surface area.

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) aims to improve the gait pattern in case of foot drop of people suffering chronic diseases, e.g., multiple sclerosis. The fibular nerve can be stimulated by electrical impulses sent through electrodes on the skin, which leads to the contraction of the corresponding muscles. One major disadvantage of commercial FES devices is their bulky design. The paper presents an alternative approach of weft-knitted strain sensors that are directly integrated into the knee area of a functional legging suitable for daily use. To initiate electrical impulses for FES at the right time, the textile strain sensors are used as soft triggers.