Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2005;2005:4153-5. doi: 10.1109/IEMBS.2005.1615378.
Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual Conference
Sungmee Park, Sundaresan Jayaraman
PMID: 17281148 DOI: 10.1109/IEMBS.2005.1615378
Sensors are pervasive - from homes to battlefields, and everywhere in-between. Examples include microwave ovens, mobile phones, automobiles, and medical equipment. They have become such an "integral" part of our daily lives that they are not only pervasive but they are also "invisible" to the end-user. These systems are facilitating information processing anytime, anywhere for anyone. While these types of sensors and networks incorporating such sensors are relatively new in the timeline of civilization, there has been one piece of "sensing" technology that has been there since the dawn of civilization. And that is textiles, which, in today's world are indeed pervasive. Textiles (clothing) were initially used for "protection" from the environment - be it from climatic conditions or from other predators as camouflage and personal privacy. This first dimension of "protection" has been complemented by the second dimension of "aesthetics," exemplified by the success of fashion houses in modern times - from Armani to Versace.
