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Photonic fabrics take shape

Nature Photonics volume 1, pages 6–7 (2007)Cite this article

Electronics firms, fashion houses and medical-equipment suppliers are all busy developing textiles that blend photonics technology with materials science. Duncan Graham-Rowe reports on the striking results of their endeavours.

Scientists have now learnt how to 'knit' optical fibres and integrate them with textiles as well as manufacture flexible LED arrays and light-emitting fabrics. The result is a new breed of visually striking photonic clothing that not only looks good but also has serious applications as 'light bandages' (medical dressings containing their own light source) and garments with enhanced visibility and dynamic signage for pedestrians and cyclists.

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  1. a freelance science and technology journalist based in Brighton, UK

    Duncan Graham-Rowe

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Graham-Rowe, D. Photonic fabrics take shape. Nature Photon 1, 6–7 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2006.35

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2006.35

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