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CLOTH, FABRICS, TEXTILES This survey by MIT's Industrial Liaison Program identifies selected research in the area of cloth, fabrics, textiles and related materials research at MIT between 2008 and January 2010. For more information, please contact MIT’s Industrial Liaison Program at +1-617-253-2691.

MATERIALS SCIENCE / ENGINEERING .............................................................................................................4

INSTITUTE FOR SOLDIER NANOTECHNOLOGIES (ISN) .................................................................................................4 Light Weight, Multifunctional Nanostructured Fibers and Materials ....................................................................4

Project: Surface Active Multifunctional Fabrics .................................................................................................................. 4 Project: Active Multimaterial Fibers .................................................................................................................................... 4 Project: Functional and Responsive Elastomers ................................................................................................................... 5

Battle Suit Medicine ................................................................................................................................................5 Functional and Responsive Nanostructured Surfaces ............................................................................................................ 6 Non-Invasive Medical Monitoring and Drug Delivery ......................................................................................................... 6

Ballistic and Blast Protection .................................................................................................................................7 Light Weight Nano-Architectures for Ultra-Strong and Energy Absorbing Materials ......................................................... 7 Materials and Structures for Blast Protection and Injury Mitigation ..................................................................................... 8 Lightweight Nanocrystalline Alloy Fibers for Blast Protection ............................................................................................ 9

Chem/Bio Materials Science - Detection and Protection .......................................................................................9 Multifunctional and Switchable Surfaces for Protection and Survivability .......................................................................... 9

Nanosystems Integration .......................................................................................................................................10 Nanoelectronics .................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Integrated Fiber and Fabric Systems .................................................................................................................................... 11 Non-RF Fabric-enabled Communications ........................................................................................................................... 11

REACTIVE MULTILAYER THIN FILMS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST ACUTELY TOXIC AGENTS ...................................12 MULTIFUNCTIONAL SILICONE NANOFIBER MEMBRANE FOR SOLDIER PROTECTION ................................................12 MODELING OF NANOFIBERS AND NONWOVEN MATERIALS .......................................................................................13 NANOFIBER MEMBRANES ..........................................................................................................................................13 MIT NEWS: “SPINNING AT THE NANOSCALE: ELECTROSPUN FIBERS COULD BE USED FOR PROTECTIVE

CLOTHING, WEARABLE POWER AND MORE” ...............................................................................................................14 MECHANICS OF HYSTERETIC LARGE STRAIN BEHAVIOR OF NATURAL FIBERS .........................................................14 ULTIMATE POLYMER: CARBON NANOTUBE ENABLED MATERIALS ..........................................................................15 MIT NEWS: “A FABRIC WITH VISION: RESEARCHERS CREATE FLEXIBLE LENSLESS CAMERA FROM WEB OF LIGHT-DETECTING FIBERS” ...................................................................................................................................................15

ARCHITECTURE / BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES .............................................................................................16

BUILDING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM ..........................................................................................................................16 Building Materials & Construction projects: .......................................................................................................16

Center for Sustainable Materials and Building Envelopes .................................................................................................. 16 Incorporation of a Smart Fiber Network within a 3D Fiber Textile Composite Near-net Preform Structural Member

for Remote Structural Monitoring ....................................................................................................................................... 17

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PORTABLE LIGHT PROJECT ........................................................................................................................................17 SOFT CITIES: EXPANDING THE USE OF SOLAR TEXTILES .......................................................................................17

“Getting wrapped up in solar textiles: MIT lecturer focuses on flexible photovoltaic materials” ......................18

MEDIA LABORATORY ...........................................................................................................................................18

HIGH-LOW TECH GROUP ...........................................................................................................................................18 LilyPad Arduino ....................................................................................................................................................18 Tilt Sensing Quilt ..................................................................................................................................................19

SOFT MECHANICS ......................................................................................................................................................19

RELATED WORK .....................................................................................................................................................19

“ENLISTING MICROBES TO SOLVE GLOBAL PROBLEMS: RESEARCHERS HARNESS BACTERIA TO PRODUCE ENERGY, CLEAN UP ENVIRONMENT” .........................................................................................................................................19

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MATERIALS SCIENCE / ENGINEERING

INSTITUTE FOR SOLDIER NANOTECHNOLOGIES (ISN) http://web.mit.edu/ISN/ The Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN) at MIT is an interdepartmental research center founded in 2002 by a $50 million, five-year contract with the U.S. Army Research Office. Now in its second five-year contract, the mission of the ISN is straightforward: develop and exploit nanotechnology to dramatically improve the survivability of Soldiers. The ultimate goal is to help the Army create a 21st century battlesuit that combines high-tech capabilities with lightweight and comfort. Imagine a bullet-resistant jumpsuit, no thicker than ordinary spandex, that monitors health, eases injuries, communicates automatically, and reacts instantly to chemical and biological agents. It’s a long-range vision for how fundamental nanoscience can make Soldiers less vulnerable to enemy and environmental threats.

Light Weight, Multifunctional Nanostructured Fibers and Materials http://web.mit.edu/ISN/research/sra01/index.html This Strategic Research Area (SRA) is concerned with research to impart diverse, nano-enabled functionalities to materials that can serve as building blocks for clothing and other gear to provide Soldier protection and survivability. Of particular interest are nano-scale coatings, core-shell and rod-rod nanostructures, carbon nanotubes, fibers, fabrics, layered and membrane structures. Research in this SRA is divided up among six Themes:

Project: Surface Active Multifunctional Fabrics Project 1.1.1 seeks to develop surface active multifunctional fabrics that may be incorporated in the future Soldier battle suit to provide added protection capabilities without incurring significant additional weight. This objective will be accomplished through the combination of electrospinning technology, for forming light-weight, high surface area fibers and fabrics, with conformal surface treatment technologies based on chemical vapor deposition and/or layer-by-layer deposition. Through specific design of chemistry and process flow, fabrics that integrate multiple functionalities within a single textile will be developed. The specific functionalities targeted in this project include protection from chemical and biological agents, shielding from electromagnetic interference (EMI), and repellency for water and oils. http://web.mit.edu/ISN/research/sra01/project01_01_01.html Theme & Project Researchers: Prof. Karen K. Gleason, Department of Chemical Engineering Prof. Paula T. Hammond, Department of Chemical Engineering Prof. Gregory C. Rutledge, Department of Chemical Engineering

Project: Active Multimaterial Fibers The goal of this project will be the development of two key functional fiber building blocks which will pave the way for revolutionary new active fabric capabilities. The first is an acoustic fiber that will serve two purposes. First, it will function as a sensitive and broadband acoustic wave

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detector, which when assembled into an appropriate two and three dimensional acoustic pickup fabric system will be capable of identifying an acoustic source such as the direction of a sniper based on fast acoustic sampling of a bullet’s trajectory. Second, the acoustic fiber can also act as a modulator, which when integrated with a photonic band gap fiber structure, will be capable of inducing a modulation in the position of the photonic band gap. This capability will enable the entire fabric to behave as an optical switch modifying its optical signature dynamically. This will also enable coded uniform based optical identification and uniform to uniform communications. The second active fiber to be developed under this project is the transverse fiber laser which will enable large area lasing fabrics, these in turn could be used for identification and for determining the color of a uniform at will. http://web.mit.edu/ISN/research/sra01/project01_04_01.html Theme 1.4 Researchers: Prof. Yoel Fink, Department of Materials Science and Engineering Prof. John D. Joannopoulos, Department of Physics Prof. Steven G. Johnson, Department of Mathematics

Project: Functional and Responsive Elastomers The objective of this project is to exploit new chemistries that allow the direct functionalization of the soft regions of elastomeric materials to generate new responsive materials. By utilizing a combination of siloxane chemistry from the Hammond group and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) techniques developed in the Schrock group with a new group of monomers enabling the generation of low glass transition backbones we have achieved the ability to directly attach virtually any functional group to the flexible or “soft” portions of thermoplastic elastomers. This capability will be directed toward the development of responsive elastomers that are easily incorporated into fibers and fabrics, and which allow a 10 to 100% strain recovery and response… A library of new responsive thermoplastic elastomers will be generated for the above applications, and design parameters for the enhancement, optimization, and ultimate application of these active thermoplastic elastomers, which should readily blend with standard uniform materials and other conventional fiber or membrane materials. http://web.mit.edu/ISN/research/sra01/project01_05_01.html Theme 1.5 Researchers: Prof. Paula T. Hammond, Department of Chemical Engineering Prof. Gareth H. McKinley, Department of Mechanical Engineering Prof. Richard R. Schrock, Department of Chemistry

Battle Suit Medicine http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra02/index.html This SRA is concerned with research that can lead to improved medical and combat casualty care for the Soldier. Of particular interest are nano-enabled materials and devices applicable to far-forward medical treatment. In the nearer term these would find application in field hospitals and on the battlefield. In the longer term, technologies based on the basic research of SRA-2 would be incorporated in the multi-capability battlesuit. These technologies could be activated by: qualified medical personnel (nearby or remotely located, e.g. via suitably protected telemetering), by the Soldier in the field, and even autonomously, with appropriate safeguards including Soldier and medic override capabilities. Examples of SRA-2 research include polymer actuators for imparting

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rigidity-on-demand e.g., for splinting wounds or preventing adverse movements after head or neck injury, materials and devices to enable controlled release of medications…

Functional and Responsive Nanostructured Surfaces The objective of this theme is to design a new generation of responsive surfaces that are able to deliver a range of therapeutic drugs, vaccines, or remediatory elements to the Soldier to alleviate or prevent disease and promote healing of injuries and wounds and to provide medical care to the Soldier on the battlefield rapidly and conveniently. The needs that will be addressed include: the development of wound dressings, fabrics and surfaces that contain highly potent antibacterial agents which are not susceptible to the development of resistant bacterial strains and can be released over highly sustained and controlled periods of time… http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra02/theme02_02.html Theme 2.2 Researchers: Prof. Angela Belcher, Department of Materials Science and Engineering Prof. Robert E. Cohen, Department of Chemical Engineering Prof. Paula T. Hammond, Department of Chemical Engineering Prof. Darrell J. Irvine, Department of Materials Science and Engineering Prof. Gregory Stephanopoulos, Department of Chemical Engineering

Non-Invasive Medical Monitoring and Drug Delivery Theme 2.3 seeks to dramatically improve Soldier survivability from a diverse array of threats through integration of microsystems for physiological monitoring and autonomous response… For this reason and many others, physiological monitoring of small, non-invasively obtained samples of bodily fluids will be a critical component of future battlesuits. Secondly, autonomous administration of active agents in response to threats is an additional revolutionary feature of the future battlesuit. Miniaturization achieved by MEMS technology would allow the monitoring and response system to be carried by the Soldier or integrated directly into the battlesuit... http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra02/theme02_03.html • Project 2.3.4: Low-Power, Portable Electro-Microfluidic Devices for Real-Time

Medical Monitoring • Project 2.3.4 proposes research on nanoscale fluid manipulation by “induced-charge electro-

osmosis” (ICEO), using small AC voltages applied at microelectrodes, to enable rapid, real-time medical monitoring of the Soldier for exposure to toxic agents. Building on the team’s successful development of ICEO microfluidics… The ICEO lab-on-a-chip device will evolve from a hand-held device toward a lightweight medical monitoring “badge”, which shows promise for straightforward incorporation into the battle suit and more near term Soldier protection garments. More at http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra02/project02_03_04.html

• Project 2.3.4 Researchers: • Prof. Saman Amarasinghe, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science • Prof. Martin Z. Bazant, Department of Mathematics • Prof. Todd Thorsen, Department of Mechanical Engineering

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Ballistic and Blast Protection This research area (SRA-3) will concentrate research on the critically important strategic Soldier capabilities of blast protection and ballistic protection. Recognizing the importance of blast related Soldier injuries in current operations, we are increasing the ISN’s efforts in blast protection. This will complement and indeed enrich our ballistic protection research. In particular, SRA-3 will direct considerable assets towards understanding blast interactions with materials including human (brain) tissue as well as various anthropogenic energy absorbing structures including microframe structures that contain nano-trusses…. More at http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra03/index.html

Light Weight Nano-Architectures for Ultra-Strong and Energy Absorbing Materials The unifying thrust of this theme is careful study of a range of different materials that are of interest for providing light weight and very high mechanical strength. These materials include stiff chain polymers based on iptycene and related monomers that incorporate pendant groups at strategic sites along the polymer axis. These polymers provide different mechanisms for absorbing mechanical energy while accommodating appreciable deformation without structural failure... http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra03/theme03_01.html • Project 3.1.1: Molecular Approaches to Mechanical Properties for Ballistic

Protection • Project 3.1.1 integrates synthetic materials chemistry, computationally informed molecular

design, and polymer materials processing and testing to create a new generation of lightweight soft materials with the potential for dramatic improvements in energy absorption and hence ballistic protection. Using various permutations of iptycene and related monomers, Swager will synthesize stiff chain polymers that also incorporate pendant groups at strategic sites along the polymer axis. Thomas will process these designer polymers into structures that resemble parallel strands of molecular barbed wire… To guide the selection of more efficacious combinations of polymer building blocks and structures, Cao will perform statistical mechanical calculations to predict polymer internal molecular free volume and molecular deformation pathways as affected by molecular architecture and monomer structure. http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra03/project03_01_01.html

• Project 3.1.1 Researchers: • Prof. Jianshu Cao, Department of Chemistry • Prof. Timothy M. Swager, Department of Chemistry • Prof. Edwin L. (Ned) Thomas, Department of Materials Science and Engineering • Project 3.1.2: Ultra Light Weight Micro-trusses and Photopatterned

Nanocomposites • Project 3.1.2 by Thomas and Boyce will investigate well-defined submicron scale microframe

structures with 100nm feature sizes as low-density materials for blast and ballistic protection. Geometry can be controlled by interference lithography and selection of a variety of soft and hard materials - photopolymers and via templating-infiltrating, other materials (e.g. other polymers and polymer nanocomposites, ceramics, metals) to create a materials system with desired properties. The ability to access length scales below a critical length scale for the mechanical behavior of the (polymer) material has been demonstrated. The proposed work will enable other materials to be made into geometrically regular networks and these materials will be deformed

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under a variety of conditions, including split Hopkinson bar testing to further explore their high rate behavior. http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra03/project03_01_02.html

• Project 3.1.2 Researchers: • Prof. Mary C. Boyce, Department of Mechanical Engineering • Prof. Edwin L. (Ned) Thomas, Department of Materials Science and Engineering • Project 3.1.3: Mechanical Property Amplification in Natural Materials • Project 3.1.3 involves investigating natural occurring nanostructured materials to establish design

laws to guide the fabrication of man-made nanocomposites that will exhibit high strength and toughness. This project is motivated from the perspective of mechanical property amplification of structural materials. The elucidation of mechanical design principles and energy absorption mechanisms which go beyond a simple composite rule of mixtures is of interest for many nonballistic/nonblast materials applications… http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra03/project03_01_03.html

• Project 3.1.3 Researchers: • Prof. Mary C. Boyce, Department of Mechanical Engineering • Prof. Christine Ortiz, Department of Materials Science and Engineering • Prof. Raul Radovitzky, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Materials and Structures for Blast Protection and Injury Mitigation Theme 3.2 marshals basic research expertise on high strength materials, including materials components, structures and systems, mechanical testing and materials failure mechanisms, blast wave interactions with complex materials, including human tissues, and ultra fast optical diagnostics of shock propagation and shock-induced damage in solids… Soldier benefits will be new fundamental understanding: (a) to inform the design of lightweight materials and structures to provide superior blast protection; and (b) to illuminate means to prevent blast-induced injury to humans and structures. http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra03/theme03_02.html • Project 3.2.1: Materials and Structures for Blast Damage and Injury Mitigation • Project 3.2.1 broadly considers the development of new armor materials and structures that

address pressure wave effects from blast, in addition to improving ballistic protection. The work concerns the development of new protective materials, the design of material systems, for example cellular solids, with potential for high blast energy absorption, and understanding how blast itself as well as protective materials under blast loading, interact with the human body. The project encompasses experiments and computational modeling, fabrication and characterization of novel materials and structures, including nanocomposites and the analysis of blast-sandwich structure and blast-human interactions, with emphasis on major causes of injury to the Soldier. http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra03/project03_02_01.html

• Project 3.2.1 Researchers: • Prof. Mary C. Boyce, Department of Mechanical Engineering • Prof. Keith A. Nelson, Department of Chemistry • Prof. Raul Radovitzky, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics • Prof. Gregory C. Rutledge, Department of Materials Science and Engineering • Prof. Simona Socrate, Department of Mechanical Engineering • Prof. Edwin L. (Ned) Thomas, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

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Lightweight Nanocrystalline Alloy Fibers for Blast Protection Theme 3.3 opens up to the ISN a systematic basic research investigation of a different category of materials of interest for blast and ballistic protection. These materials are low density metal alloys, that could be fabricated into lightweight and flexible assemblies such as truss-like structures and woven arrays that could function effectively as comfortable body armor… http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra03/theme03_03.html • Project 3.3.1: Lightweight Nanocrystalline Alloy Fibers for Impact and Blast

Protection • Project 3.2.1 broadly considers the development of new armor materials and structures that

address pressure wave effects from blast, in addition to improving ballistic protection. The work concerns the development of new protective materials, the design of material systems, for example cellular solids, with potential for high blast energy absorption, and understanding how blast itself as well as protective materials under blast loading, interact with the human body… http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra03/project03_03_01.html

• Project 3.3.1 Researchers: • Prof. Gerbrand Ceder, Department of Materials Science and Engineering • Prof. Nicola Marzari, Department of Materials Science and Engineering • Prof. Christopher A. Schuh, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Chem/Bio Materials Science - Detection and Protection This SRA is concerned with research to provide new scientific and engineering understanding to enable the detection of hazardous substances in the environment as well as means to protect the Soldier from hazardous substances. The research will provide foundational information for transitioning of promising outcomes by the Army and industry partners. One theme focuses on different means to obtain nano-scale polymeric coatings that provide specific protective functionalities. Another thrust concentrates on different approaches to the sensing and characterization of various materials, including toxic substances that exhibit identifiable chemical signatures. A third activity seeks to develop the understanding needed to manufacture multi-layered 3D nano-structures from foldable 2D nano-patterned surfaces. Potential applications include ability to scaffold and integrate multiple threat detection capabilities in lightweight and low-energy consumption platforms. http://web.mit.edu/ISN/research/sra04/index.html

Multifunctional and Switchable Surfaces for Protection and Survivability The overall goal of this research is to invent, develop, validate, exploit, and mechanistically explore novel polymeric nanocoatings for Soldier protection, survivability and comfort. Surface functionalization of textiles using layers of nanoscale thickness imparts virtually no weight to the garment but adds the capability to control surface hydrophobicity/ hydrophilicity and to mitigate chemical and biological threats. Integration of functional and switchable nanocoatings into biosensors offers a means for detecting toxins in the battlefield in a sensitive and portable manner and thus offering a method of improving Soldier survivability… http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra04/theme04_01.html • Project 4.1.1: Chemically Vapor Deposited (CVD) Functional Polymeric

Nanocoatings

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• Project 4.1.1 proposes the invention and mechanistic understanding of a new class of covalent grafted CVD nanocoatings which will further broaden the scope and integration potential of the CVD nanotechnology platform for multifunctionality, self-assembled, and active coatings. Chemical Vapor Deposition produces conformal nanolayers with systematically tunable chemical reactivity and physicochemical characteristics. During CVD surface modification, fibers and fabrics are conformally coated in a single step, remain at room temperature, and are not exposed to harsh solvents. … http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra04/project04_01_01.html

• Project 4.1.1 Researchers: • Prof. Karen K. Gleason, Department of Chemical Engineering • Project 4.1.2: Switchable Surfaces and Novel Elastomers for Improving Cell

Function and Device Performance of Cell-Based Biosensors • Project 4.1.2 will develop new nanotechnology based approaches to improve the function of cell-

based biosensors to detect toxic biological and chemical substances at the battlefield and target regions for terrorist attacks… Integration of these coatings is envisioned into flexible microfabricated devices that can easily fit within a Soldier’s pocket or be patched to their uniform, can be bent without breaking and can be pumped simply by applying pressure to specific reservoirs by simple means such as a Soldier’s finger... http://web.mit.edu/ISN/research/sra04/project04_01_02.html

• Project 4.1.2 Researchers: • Prof. Alireza Khademhosseini, Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology • Prof. Robert S. Langer, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering • Project 4.1.3: Virucidal Coatings • Project 4.1.3 seeks to endow surfaces with the ability to inactivate human viruses, in particular

pathogenic strains of influenza virus. The proposed work builds on the previous 4 years of ISN research focused on creating novel, non-leaching, nano-inspired, bactericidal and also fungicidal surfaces…. Hammond will derivatize hyperbranched polyelectrolytes tailor-made for virucidal applications and investigate their incorporation onto surfaces using layer-by-layer techniques. Chen will supervise all virucidal and toxicity testing and provide a mechanistic examination of virucidal action. The nano-inspired hydrophobic virucidal polymers dissolved in organic solvents would be “painted” (e.g., sprayed or brushed) onto a variety of objects and surfaces of military relevance, including weapons, uniforms, interior walls, barrack furniture and fixtures, and air ducts and filters. These coatings should drastically reduce the spread of influenza (and possibly other viral) infections… http://web.mit.edu/ISN/research/sra04/project04_01_03.html

• Project 4.1.3 Researchers: • Prof. Jianzhu Chen, Department of Biology • Prof. Paula T. Hammond, Department of Chemical Engineering • Prof. Alexander M. Klibanov, Department of Chemistry

Nanosystems Integration Systems of components that contain nano-scale materials and devices can enable powerful protection and survivability capabilities for the Soldier. This SRA is concerned with research to create or exploit such nano-scale materials and devices and to understand their behavior within capability-enabling systems… One study concentrates on realizing integrated systems level

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performance from metal-insulator-semiconductor fibers originated at MIT…. Another SRA-5 theme will seek the understanding needed to develop non-RF, fabric-enabled communications, including a laser-to-uniform communications system that works in free space… http://web.mit.edu/ISN/research/sra05/index.html

Nanoelectronics We propose novel nanoelectronic technologies to meet the requirements of battlesuit electronics, notably: the highest possible speed and integration density, but with increased functionality, an ability to integrate heterogeneous materials, and a priority on power efficiency... Finally, we propose a battlesuit integration platform for chemical sensing capabilities, thereby enhancing the functionality of the battlesuit… http://web.mit.edu/ISN/research/sra05/theme05_01.html

Integrated Fiber and Fabric Systems … The objective of Research Theme 5.2 will be the development of paradigms for the realization of integrated system level performance using MIT’s unique metal-insulator-semiconductor fiber platform. These paradigms will encompass two completely distinct length scales, each of which defines new frontiers in fiber research: On the one hand, the microscopic sub-micron length scale, where the limits of integration on a single fiber level will be studied; with questions such as: what type and number of functional elements can be combined in a single fiber? On the other hand, the macroscopic meter scale, where the implications of combining multimaterial functional fibers into large assemblies or fabrics will be examined; with questions such as: what types of sophisticated functionalities can be achieved given that 102-106 fibers are combined in a fabric or other geometric construct? The research will explore the tradeoffs between the sophistication of a single fiber vs. the complexity of the fiber assembly for achieving particular overall system functionality specifications. http://web.mit.edu/ISN/research/sra05/theme05_02.html • Project 5.2.1: Fabric Systems that See • The goals of this specific project will be the establishment of approaches allowing seamless

integration of multiple detection functions on the single fiber level on the one hand and fiber assembly on the other. If successful, this program will enable fabrics and surfaces that will be capable of: identifying the direction and type of an optical designator, provide optical imaging in the visible and IR, detect the location of acoustic sources such as sniper position based on the bullet’s acoustic wave, and provide high spatial resolution temperature maps of a vehicle or body for monitoring human health and detecting breaches at high spatial resolution on large surface areas.

• http://web.mit.edu/ISN/research/sra05/project05_02_01.html • Project 5.2.1 Researchers: • Prof. Yoel Fink, Department of Materials Science and Engineering • Prof. John D. Joannopoulos, Department of Physics

Non-RF Fabric-enabled Communications … This theme will present a unique and elegant solution to the problem of large area optical detection and thus will enable pervasive combat “laser to uniform” communications. For the first time the entire uniform or surface area of a vehicle will become a functioning optical receiver. At the heart of our approach is the development of a fabric that is at the same time a sensitive optical

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receiver. The objective of this project will be to develop the fiber detector materials, integrate them into a fabric, design the electrical interface and communications system. The “laser-to-uniform” communications system that we propose will take voice spoken into a microphone and convert it to an optical signal embedded on a laser beam… http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra05/theme05_03.html • Project 5.3.1: Laser-to-Uniform Directed Optical Communications • The overall objective of this project will be to research, design and construct a prototype laser-to-

uniform free-space optical communications system. We will focus initially on developing a deeper understanding of the multimaterial optical detector fibers that enable this system. … In parallel we will engage in incorporating the fibers into a large fabric. This objective will necessitate a reduction in fiber diameters to <500 microns which will pose considerable fabrication challenges. We will also need to develop the hardware and software needed for interfacing the receiver fabric to a data acquisition system…. http://web.mit.edu/isn/research/sra05/project05_03_01.html

• Project 5.3.1 Researchers: • Prof. Yoel Fink, Department of Materials Science and Engineering • Prof. John D. Joannopoulos, Department of Physics • Prof. Steven B. Leeb, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science • Prof. Rajeev Ram, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

REACTIVE MULTILAYER THIN FILMS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST ACUTELY TOXIC AGENTS Prof. Paula T Hammond, Bayer Professor of Chemical Engineering, http://web.mit.edu/cheme/people/profile.html?id=14 http://web.mit.edu/hammond/lab/saetia.htm The preliminary aim of this work is to utilize a Spray-LbL technique to create functionalized multilayer thin films for protection against acutely toxic agents. Two types of targeted toxic compounds are biological agents and toxic industrial chemicals. This project builds on a previous work focused on fabricating reactive coatings for protection against chemical warfare agents. An automated Spray-LbL technology developed by our group has been demonstrated to reduce typical LbL process times by 25-fold while allowing for uniform coating of a wide variety of substrates at a nanometer scale. The focus of the project is to create reactive coatings which will provide protection against biological agents and toxic industrial chemicals in the battlefield or wherever a need is identified. These coatings can be used to coat surfaces such as filters, uniforms, and personal items.

MULTIFUNCTIONAL SILICONE NANOFIBER MEMBRANE FOR SOLDIER PROTECTION Prof. Paula T Hammond, Bayer Professor of Chemical Engineering, http://web.mit.edu/cheme/people/profile.html?id=14 http://web.mit.edu/hammond/lab/jungah.htm The current project has been focused on developing nanomaterial technology that can provide remarkable enhancement to chemical and biological defense for soldier protection. This project includes developing photo reactive, flame retardant, and water repellent nanofiber-based fabrics for soldier protection in wearable garments and personnel vehicles through the combination of

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two principal technologies having control at the nanoscale: electrospinning and layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition. We have recently developed and demonstrated highly reactive TiO2 decorated nanofibers for degradation of toxic chemicals using these two technologies. We show SEM images of electrospun nanofibers (a), TiO2-coated electrospun fibers (b), and TEM image of TiO2-coated electrospun fiber (c).

MODELING OF NANOFIBERS AND NONWOVEN MATERIALS Prof. Gregory C Rutledge, Lammot du Pont Professor of Chemical Engineering, http://web.mit.edu/cheme/people/profile.html?id=25 … Our aim is to develop new models with which to investigate the size-dependent properties of polymeric nanofibers and to relate fabric properties to fiber properties by using multiscale modeling techniques. These structure-property models complement on-going efforts to model the electrospinning process. They are also essential to fill a gap between fabric measurements and fiber property characterization. The models themselves provide new insights into the relationships between fiber structure and electrospun fabric performance. In addition, the models serve as tools for future design of new materials and set goals for the production of fibers and fabrics with particular performance characteristics. We are using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to identify and evaluate the size dependent properties of polymeric nanofibers. The fibers consist of chains that mimic the prototypical polymer polyethylene (PE). We analyze these nanofibers for signatures of emergent behavior in their structural, thermal and mechanical properties as a function of the fiber radius… More at: http://web.mit.edu/rutledgegroup/projects/modeling_nanofiber.html

NANOFIBER MEMBRANES Prof. Gregory C Rutledge, Lammot du Pont Professor of Chemical Engineering, http://web.mit.edu/cheme/people/profile.html?id=25 Electrospun fiber membranes possess high specific surface area, high porosity, small fiber size and low weight. Each of these remarkable properties suggest a broad range of applications. In our research, we take advantage of these properties to develop functional membranes through the inclusion of reactive or responsive compounds or nanoparticles upon and within the fibers. Such membranes have applications in chemical and biological protection, filtration and detoxification of toxic industrial gas or liquid streams, sensing and other areas. In one example, we have developed photocatalytically active nanofiber membranes combining both electrospinning and electrolyte nanoassembly techniques for protective clothing system, electrochemical power, sensor, and electrode applications. Highly reactive TiO2 nanoparticles were assembled on various electrospun polymeric nanofibers to achieve functional fiber membranes for photocatalytic degradation of toxic industrial chemicals. We have also explored approaches to develop electrospun fiber-based chemical and/or biological protection clothing system or air filters… More: http://web.mit.edu/rutledgegroup/projects/nanofiber_membranes.html

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MIT NEWS: “SPINNING AT THE NANOSCALE: ELECTROSPUN FIBERS COULD BE USED FOR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, WEARABLE POWER AND MORE” Anne Trafton, MIT News Office, May 5, 2009 In his office, MIT Professor of Chemical Engineering Gregory Rutledge keeps a small piece of fabric that at first glance resembles a Kleenex. This tissue-like material, softer than silk, is composed of fibers that are a thousand times thinner than a human hair and holds promise for a wide range of applications including protective clothing, drug delivery and tissue engineering. Such materials are produced by electrospinning, a technique that has taken off in the past 10 years, though the original technology was patented more than a century ago. In Rutledge's lab, researchers are exploring new ways to create electrospun fibers, often incorporating materials that add novel features such as the ability to kill bacteria. Rutledge has been one of the pioneers of electrospinning nanofibers since the nanotechnology boom of the late 1990s. Though he describes the actual electrospinning process as almost "a mundane thing," he and his colleagues have demonstrated a number of ways to create electrospun membranes with new and useful traits…. More at: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/electrospun-fibers-0505.html And: http://web.mit.edu/rutledgegroup/

MECHANICS OF HYSTERETIC LARGE STRAIN BEHAVIOR OF NATURAL FIBERS Prof. Mary C Boyce, Gail E Kendall (1978) Family Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Department Head—Mechanical Engineering, http://meche.mit.edu/people/faculty/index.html?id=11 Natural fibers are particularly interesting from a materials point of view since their morphology has been tailored to enable a wide range of macroscopic level functions and mechanical properties. We focus on natural fibers which possess a morphology specifically designed to provide a hysteretic yet resilient large strain deformation behavior such as those of spider silks and mussel byssal threads. X-ray diffraction studies have shown that numerous natural fibers have a multi-domain architecture composed of folded modules which are linked together in series along a macromolecular chain. This microstructure leads to a strong rate and temperature dependent mechanical behavior and one which exhibits a stretch-induced softening of the mechanical response due to evolution in the underlying morphology with imposed stretch. Synthetic copolymers such as thermoplastic polyurethanes exhibit similar structure and mechanical behavior. A constitutive model for the stress-strain behavior of natural fibers is developed, based on the underlying protein network structure and its evolution with strain. The model is shown to capture the major features of the stress-strain behavior of natural fibers, including the highly nonlinear stress-strain behavior, and its dependence on strain rate and stretch-induced softening.

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ULTIMATE POLYMER: CARBON NANOTUBE ENABLED MATERIALS Prof. Mary C Boyce, Gail E Kendall (1978) Family Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Department Head—Mechanical Engineering, http://meche.mit.edu/people/faculty/index.html?id=11 …This project brings together MIT expertise on the mechanics of nanotubes and University of Cambridge expertise in carbon nanotube synthesis and processing. The MIT team, led by Professor Mary Boyce at the Department of Mechanical Engineering has found that nanotubes are both hydrophobic and good for transferring heat away from its source, a unique combination of qualities and one the scientists hope to capitalize on. Scientists at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, led by Professor Alan Windle, meanwhile, have developed a method for spinning carbon nanotubes into a fibre and onto a spool, continuously during production, which up till now has proven difficult for scientists. This development has brought the use of carbon nanotubes for industrial production closer to fruition. The MIT/University of Cambridge collaboration have produced a carbon nanotube of record-breaking length. The continuous manufacture of carbon nanotubes fibres during nanotube production employs a spindle winding the fibres into a thread, at several centimetres per second. The result is an extremely fine, long, strong, black thread which can carry an electrical current. This is achieved by spraying a carbon source, similar to ethanol, into a furnace heated to 1,200 degrees Celsius, together with an iron nanocatalyst through a hydrogen carrier. An elastic smoke called aerogel forms (iron in ferrocene acts as the catalyst) and sticks to the cooler wall in the furnace to form fibres. The fibre is then wound into a thread on a spindle, resulting in a very fine black thread. The MIT/University of Cambridge teams have collaborated with Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd to resolve the technical issues in scaling-up existing laboratory production techniques into a commercial process. Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd. is one of the UK’s leading chemical manufacturers and recognised as a ‘world top 20 innovator’ by a leading American magazine. The company has also recently won a number of chemical industry awards for innovation and technology. The collaboration has resulted in a successful scalable manufacturing process producing high purity single-wall carbon nanotubes in greater quantities than is currently possible in the laboratory. A fully operational plant has been commissioned at their Consett site, in North East England.

MIT NEWS: “A FABRIC WITH VISION: RESEARCHERS CREATE FLEXIBLE LENSLESS CAMERA FROM WEB OF LIGHT-DETECTING FIBERS” Elizabeth A. Thomson, MIT News Office, July 8, 2009 Imagine a soldier's uniform made of a special fabric that allows him to look in all directions and identify threats that are to his side or even behind him. In work that could turn such science fiction into reality, MIT researchers have developed light-detecting fibers that, when weaved into a web, act as a flexible camera. Fabric composed of these fibers could be joined to a computer that could provide information on a small display screen attached to a visor, providing the soldier greater awareness of his surroundings.

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The researchers, led by Associate Professor Yoel Fink of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE), emphasize that while such an application and others like it are still only dreams, work is rapidly progressing on developing fabrics capable of capturing images. In a recent issue of the journal Nanoletters, the team reported what it called a "significant" advance… More at: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/flexible-0708.html And: http://mit-pbg.mit.edu/Pages/research.html [Prof. Y. Fink, Photonic Bandgap Fibers & Devices Group]

ARCHITECTURE / BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES

BUILDING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM http://mitbt.tumblr.com/page/7 http://architecture.mit.edu/building-technology.html Building Technology includes teaching and applications of the fundamentals of technology as well as research in technology for the next generation of buildings. Areas of focus include building structures, materials, industrialized building systems, energy and lighting in buildings, air quality control, and building simulation. Subjects include fundamentals of technology, applications to buildings, design studios, laboratories, and independent research projects. Research facilities include the Energy Efficient Buildings and Systems Program, the Climate Chamber and the Daylighting Laboratory. Research facilities of other departments such as Mechanical and Civil and Environmental Engineering are also used in joint research projects. The Building Technology Program at MIT is an interdisciplinary program jointly sponsored by: • The Department of Architecture (home department) • The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering • The Department of Mechanical Engineering

Building Materials & Construction projects: http://bt.mit.edu/?page_id=12 [Note: these are pre-2008, but are here as examples]

Center for Sustainable Materials and Building Envelopes Principal investigator: John E. Fernandez, Associate Professor, Building Technology, http://architecture.mit.edu/people-details.php?type=faculty&id=51 The study of sustainable materials necessarily involves an extremely large set of scientific and economic criteria to reasonably establish a productive comparative analysis. While a number of systems have been proposed and developed, none has secured a clearly predominant position over all others. Therefore, it is necessary to glean from a great number of sources the necessary information and rating criteria to offer a current and productive assessment of the state of rating materials for their sustainable value. This proposal offers to study the available literature and tools for determining the sustainability of construction materials for the purpose of: 1. establishing the state of the art of ratings systems and their attendant criteria; and 2. identifying

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the most recent and important innovations in sustainable material technologies, and identifying key areas for further research.

Incorporation of a Smart Fiber Network within a 3D Fiber Textile Composite Near-net Preform Structural Member for Remote Structural Monitoring Principal investigator: John E. Fernandez, Associate Professor, Building Technology, http://architecture.mit.edu/people-details.php?type=faculty&id=51 3D fiber textile composites are a type of fiber architecture that allows for the inclusion of a variety of fiber types within a three-dimensional near-net preform network. The inclusion of monitoring “smart fibers” within the architecture of the woven material allows for the through-member permeation of a fibrous sensor material. Typical fiber materials used for stress and strain monitoring are optical glass fibers linked to a central processor. In this way it is possible to gather important information regarding the health of a structure during construction and during its lifetime from a remote location. The study proposes to evaluate fibers for inclusion within a 3D FTC structural member as well as propose various sensor network architectures most productive for the applications listed. The materials chosen need to conform to the stresses inherent in the pultrusion and weaving processes during the production of the standardized structural forms.

PORTABLE LIGHT PROJECT Principal Investigator: Sheila Kennedy, Professor of the Practice of Architecture, http://sap.mit.edu/resources/portfolio/kennedy/ http://www.kvarch.net/#project/portable_light_project The Portable Light Project, a nonprofit initiative established by Kennedy and MATx, the materials research unit at KVA, was selected as one of 25 laureates of a recent Tech Awards. The Portable Light Project embeds flexible photovoltaic materials, digital electronics and solid state lighting in textiles, enabling people in the developing world to create and own energy harvesting textile blankets, bags and clothing using local materials and traditional weaving and sewing techniques. More at: http://www.portablelight.org/ And: http://www.kvarch.net/#project/portable_light_project

SOFT CITIES: EXPANDING THE USE OF SOLAR TEXTILES Principal Investigator: Sheila Kennedy, Professor of the Practice of Architecture, http://sap.mit.edu/resources/portfolio/kennedy/ Department of Architecture, MIT Energy Initiative An outgrowth of Kennedy’s SOFT HOUSE project, this research will explore the design and development of a solar textile infrastructure to operate between the large scale of urban energy systems and the discrete ownership structure of living units in dense cities. The project will create a new model for clean energy delivery that engages digital mass manufacturing processes in the textile industry to create significant cost and installation advantages over conventional building integrated photovoltaics. Working with Portuguese urban planning and engineering collaborators, the MIT team will create prototypes for the sustainable retrofit of 20,000 households in the historic Casa Burguesa row house district of Porto, Portugal. The SOFT CITIES

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model will produce design and sustainable urban system concepts that can be applied to dense urban districts in South America, Asia and the United States. It also holds the potential to attract future funding from a large consortium of industry partners.

“Getting wrapped up in solar textiles: MIT lecturer focuses on flexible photovoltaic materials” Sarah H. Wright, MIT News Office, June 9, 2008 Sheila Kennedy, an expert in the integration of solar cell technology in architecture who is now at MIT, creates designs for flexible photovoltaic materials that may change the way buildings receive and distribute energy. These new materials, known as solar textiles, work like the now-familiar photovoltaic cells in solar panels. Made of semiconductor materials, they absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. Kennedy uses 3-D modeling software to design with solar textiles, generating membrane-like surfaces that can become energy-efficient cladding for roofs or walls. Solar textiles may also be draped like curtains… More at http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/solar-textiles-0609.html

MEDIA LABORATORY

HIGH-LOW TECH GROUP Prof. Leah Buechley, Assistant Professor of Media Arts and Sciences; Director, High-Low Tech Group, MIT Media Lab, http://web.media.mit.edu/~leah/ , http://www.media.mit.edu/people/leah http://hlt.media.mit.edu/ The High-Low Tech group integrates high and low technological materials, processes, and cultures. Our primary aim is to engage diverse audiences in designing and building their own technologies by situating computation in new cultural and material contexts, and by developing tools that democratize engineering. We believe that the future of technology will be largely determined by end-users who will design, build, and hack their own devices, and our goal is to inspire, shape, support, and study these communities. To this end, we explore the intersection of computation, physical materials, manufacturing processes, traditional crafts, and design.

LilyPad Arduino http://web.media.mit.edu/~leah/LilyPad/index.html The LilyPad Arduino is a set of sewable electronic components that let you build your own soft, interactive fashion. To get started, snag a LilyPad deluxe kit, which has all of the available LilyPad sensor and actuator boards. Or, get only the pieces that you want, probably at least a LilyPad mainboard, FTDI board, power supply, and a spool of conductive thread. Work through the tutorials here to learn how to build all sorts of soft interactive stuff...perhaps fortune telling shirts, jackets that sing when you're squeezed or turn signal equipped cycling wear?

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“The LilyPad Arduino: Using Computational Textiles to Investigate Engagement, Aesthetics, and Diversity in Computer Science Education” Buechley, L., Eisenberg, M., Catchen, J. and Crockett, A. (2008). In Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems (CHI), Florence, Italy, April 2008. http://web.media.mit.edu/~leah/publications/buechley_CHI_08.pdf

Tilt Sensing Quilt Principal Investigator: Prof. Leah Buechley http://web.media.mit.edu/~plusea/?project=1 We are exploring ways to sense inclination through a variety of crafting and needlework techniques, using affordable and available materials such as conductive threads, yarns, fabrics, and paints. These materials are used to sew, knit, crochet, embroider, and laminate, creating a range of textile-based tilt sensors that form a tilt-sensing quilt. The output from the quilt is visualized though a second quilt equipped with lights indicating the position of their counterparts.

SOFT MECHANICS Principal Investigator: Prof. Patricia E Maes, Associate Professor of Media Technology, Associate Program Head, Program in Media Arts and Sciences (MAS), Head, Interactive Experience Group, MIT Media Laboratory, http://www.media.mit.edu/people/pattie , http://ambient.media.mit.edu/ Soft Mechanics is a research effort directed towards the design of programmable surfaces and structures which use the physical properties of materials to generate actuation. It combines smart materials and materials with different memory and elasticity states to generate kinesis by digitally controlling their physical transformations. This design approach can support the development of physical interfaces that can change shape to accommodate different uses and contexts, while seamlessly integrating into our environments. http://fluid.media.mit.edu/projects.php?action=details&id=64

RELATED WORK

“ENLISTING MICROBES TO SOLVE GLOBAL PROBLEMS: RESEARCHERS HARNESS BACTERIA TO PRODUCE ENERGY, CLEAN UP ENVIRONMENT” Anne Trafton, MIT News Office, February 17, 2009 …MIT chemical engineer Kristala Jones Prather sees bacteria as diverse and complex "chemical factories" that can potentially build better biofuels as well as biodegradable plastics and textiles. "We're trying to ask what kinds of things should we be trying to make, and looking for potential routes in nature to make them," says Prather, the Joseph R. Mares (1924) Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering.

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She and Gregory Stephanopoulos, the W.H. Dow Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT, are trying to create bacteria that make biofuels and other compounds more efficiently, while chemistry professor Catherine Drennan hopes bacteria can one day help soak up pollutants such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from the Earth's atmosphere…. Manufacturing plastics and textiles using bacteria can be far less energy-intensive than traditional industrial processes, because most industrial chemical reactions require high temperatures and pressures (which require a great deal of energy to create). Bacteria, on the other hand, normally thrive around 30 degrees Celsius and at atmospheric pressure. More at: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/bacteria-energy-0217.html