IIT Delhi sets up centre of excellence in smart textiles

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has converted its state-of-the-art SMITA (Smart Materials and Innovative Textile Applications) Research Lab into a centre of excellence in smart textiles.  

The centre has been established to work in the area of smart and functional textiles using emerging materials and process technologies, which can directly benefit the country’s textile industry.  

Major thrust areas of the centre 

• Development of highly functional and high-performance textile materials using nanomaterials, nanofibres, and nano engineered materials.  
• Development of wearable textiles, also known as electronic textiles.  
• Development of functional textiles for healthcare applications. 

Textiles is an important area for India as it is the second largest employer after agriculture. Textiles contribute significantly to our economy through both domestic consumption and exports. However, the apparel sector is facing stiff competition from other low cost producing countries, the IIT Delhi statement said.  

“IIT Delhi has converted its “Smart Materials and Innovative Textile Applications (SMITA) Research Lab” to a centre of excellence in smart textiles to further enhance the impact that IIT Delhi can make in the technical textile domain and to expedite the developments in this area. Creation of the centre has brought together researchers from different disciplines to develop futuristic smart textiles,” said V Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi.  

Ashwini Agrawal from the Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, IIT Delhi, and the centre’s coordinator said, “Smart textiles and wearable electronics are being researched world over and it is predicted that this will bring unprecedented changes in elderly care, healthcare, communications, and sports, etc. The centre will work towards development, design and integration of smart functionalities into textile substrates.” 

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