Scientific researchers are reporting progress toward a simple, low-cost method to make "smart fabrics," electronic textiles capable of detecting diseases, monitoring heart rates, and other vital signs. These fabrics made from carbon nanotube fibers are soft, flexible, and capable of transmitting electricity when woven into fabrics. In laboratory tests, the researchers showed that the new E-fibers could light up a simple light-emitting diode when connected to a battery. When coated with certain antibodies, the fibers detected the presence of a key protein in blood - a function that could be used to detect bleeding in wounded soldiers. The fabric simply glows in an area where a patient is affected, which makes internal injuries approachable.

The fabrics could also help monitor diseases and vital signs, a feature crucial in saving lives when a patient is unable to report feedback to the doctor.

Via