Bio-adaptive yarns for infant sleep environments

Infants sleep nearly two-thirds of the day. During sleep, clothing can induce SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), or trigger and provoke pre-existing conditions of Atopic dermatitis. Sleep environments should provide complete comfort and promote growth in the sleeping infant. Fabric-based sleep environments are adept at monitoring the infant’s body temperature, skin humidity, and capable of rendering optimal thermo physiological condition. Tactile comfort will adequately support and guarantee the overall well-being of the infant.

Over the past few decades, the medical and military sectors have been exploring numerous possibilities in wearable technology. The need for integrating wireless technology into e-textiles has led to the miniaturization of electronic devices. However, there lies a challenge in unifying electronic parts into textile materials. This project aims to develop a textile-based sensor that can monitor the infant’s skin temperature in the presence and absence of sweat, send data signals to the parent or carer, and provide extensive comfort to the sleeping infant.