Smart Fabrics

Christina Tang, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, is testing new ways to spin liquid crystals into fibers that change color at different temperatures. Students on her Vertically Integrated Projects team have been working on a project with the U.S. Army to make fibers with these seemingly magical — or thermochromic — properties. Smart fabrics made of soft, lightweight and elastic materials could be used in clothing such as camouflage or for other applications such as detecting the presence of a pathogen like a virus. They have been used to create wearable sensors and devices. Learn more about Dr. Tang's research: https://egr.vcu.edu/news-events/news/10152020-tang-testing-smart-fabrics-that-change-color-at-different-temperatures.html# http://vcusoftmaterialslab.weebly.com/