The general objective of our research is to develop smart textiles using novel production techniques like digital inkjet printing. Digital inkjet printing enables a sustainable and integrated textile production where less energy, water and chemicals are used, as well as less waste is produced. Inkjet printing can typically be used for the production of small batches, which benefits the production of technical and smart high end products. The advantage compared to traditional textile production techniques is that functionalizing chemicals are applied only where needed and complex designs can easily be changed.

Smart textiles are capable of interacting with the environment and are therewith ideal, flexible lightweight sensors [1]. A wearable and integrated sensor technology can among others be developed through the functionalization of textiles with chromic materials. By showing a reversible colour change a photochromic textile can make the user aware of an environmental danger such as augmented UV-radiation coupled with certain temperature conditions [2,3].

Our research focus on the sustainable production of a UV-sensing smart textile leads to the exploration of minimized water and energy consumption in textile production. In specific, a radiation curable matrix as carrier for the functional material is investigated. The challenge in our work is to consider the role of radiation as curer and activator, as well as the effect of temperature in order to optimize the functionality range of the sensor. Furthermore, storage tests of photochromic prints are conducted to determine the storage stability of the UV-sensor.