Textiles meet innovation: insights into current trends and applications of smart materials
On 4 November 2025, another Smart Textiles Workshop will take place in Jena. The following topics and speakers await you on 4 November 2025, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The programme is still being finalised, but you can register for this free workshop now.
Textiles meet innovation – insights into current trends and applications of smart materials
Date: 4 November 2025, Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Venue: Technologie- und Innovationspark Jena
Hans-Knöll-Straße 6
07745 Jena
Germany
Agenda
Each presentation will be followed by a 10-minute discussion on the topic.
| 10.00 |
Welcome and current information on network work Dr. Daniela Zavec - SmartTex Netzwerk |
| 10:15 |
Upper Body Motion Capture for Everyone – Smarte Textilien als DIY-MoCap-System Arwed Masch – MinkTec GmbH, Braunschweig With rectify, a smart sensor shirt based on the flexible FlexTail sensor made from printed electronics, MinkTec shows how motion capture is moving from the laboratory into everyday life. The system captures the posture and movement of the spine in 3D – scientifically validated, discreetly wearable and significantly cheaper than classic MoCap solutions. The presentation will highlight the potential for health, ergonomics and virtual interaction and provide an outlook on how smart gloves based on the same technology can be used to create a complete upper body MoCap system. A live demo will allow participants to experience upper body tracking first-hand and show that ‘MoCap for Everyone’ is no longer a dream of the future, but already a reality. |
| 10:45 |
Coffee break |
| 11:00 |
ENKOS - a project for independent living into old age Prof. Dr. Ing. Christian Döbel, Dipl.- Ing. (FH) Holger Langlotz, DHGE Eisenach In view of the steadily ageing population in Western Europe and the challenges this poses for older and sometimes vulnerable people, their relatives, care and medical professionals, and ultimately also the associated costs, it is imperative that older people remain in their familiar surroundings for as long as possible. To achieve this, the project partners ITP and DHGE have joined forces in the ENKOS project to use an AI-based smart home system and textile-based sensors to support people in their everyday lives, increase their safety and detect behavioural anomalies in good time. |
| 11:30 |
Development and implementation of a micro-welding process using modular technology for joining copper strands on SmartTex Dr. Khaled Alaluss - Steinbeis-Innovationszentrum Intelligente Funktionswerkstoffe, Dresden Part of this development is the implementation of a micro-welding process using modular technology for connecting copper strands to smart textiles based on micro-resistance spot welding for the material-locking connection of copper strands to sensor and actuator circuit boards. The technology developed offers significant advantages over existing thermal joining processes, including reduced energy consumption, low thermal influence, good strength connection with high electrical conductivity and high process automation potential. A prototype welding head with its functional modules and process parameters was developed, tested and implemented. This enabled high-quality welded connections between copper strands and circuit boards to be produced with defined welding parameters using both a pneumatic and an electrical/electronic motion system. |
| 12:00 |
Lunch break |
| 12:45 |
Validation of heat flux sensors for physiological measurements Martin Camenzind, Yuki Nagae, Pierrine Zeller – EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf/Schweiz In addition to temperature, heat flux is one of the most important parameters for determining the thermal state of the human body. Such sensors should preferably be flexible, accurate and well integrated into the clothing system. The flexible heat flux sensors available on the market are mainly based on foils as substrates and are designed for use between layers of fabric. They are usually not suitable for use in environments with radiant or convective heat, or are inaccurate in such environments. In this study, we investigated the calibration of various commercially available heat flux sensors that are suitable for physiological measurements. The sensors were compared with a NIST-traceable reference sensor in laboratory test setups and under realistic conditions with physiological manikins in a climate chamber. The results can be used to evaluate the suitability of such sensors for physiological measurements. |
| 13:15 |
Using AI to develop innovative concepts, ideas and products Dr. Andreas Hey – audita GmbH; Knut W. Krause – wik-werbung, Hannover We all use AI to speed up repetitive tasks. But how do we unleash its potential for innovation, whether in process innovations or new smart textile concepts? |
| 13:45 | Coffee break |
| 14:00 |
Digital product passport in practice: heated gloves Dr. Daniela Zavec und Sabrina Froschauer – ITP GmbH Jena From 2026, digital product passports (DPPs) will be mandatory, enabling users to gain comprehensive insight into all product information. The development of heated gloves requires close cooperation between various partners – from material suppliers to production. In this context, ITP GmbH and leather glove manufacturer Wappler have jointly developed a heated glove. This practical example demonstrates the successful implementation of a DPP for a complex product and provides concrete insights into the information it contains. Users benefit from the DPP through transparency regarding materials, repair options and disposal. The digital product passport also simplifies traceability, sustainability and services related to the product. |
|
14:30 |
Cooperation instead of competition: Sustainable value creation through textiles in vehicle interiors Isabelle Grimm - Textilforschungsinstitut Thüringen-Vogtland e. V. (TITV) Experience how the INSUM project by automotive thüringen e. V. – with the participation of TITV Greiz and ITP GmbH and many others – developed a smart centre armrest for the vehicle interior of the future. The prototype impressively demonstrates how regional cooperation can lead to innovation and new value creation. You will gain practical insights into why cooperation is the key to sustainable success in the mobility industry. |
|
15:00 16:00 |
Time for discussions and networking End of the event |
|
Full day |
Exhibition Parallel to the workshop, companies and institutes will present selected projects in an exhibition. A table will be available for this after registration. Please indicate your interest in this free option on the registration form! |
The workshop and the exhibition are free of charge.
» Registration deadline was 30 October 2025
When: 4 November 2025, Tuesday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Technologie- und Innovationspark Jena
Hans-Knöll-Straße 6
07745 Jena
GERMANY
How to get there: There is very limited parking available at the Technology and Innovation Park Jena. If you are not travelling by public transport, we recommend the COLUMBUS-CENTER multi-storey car park, which is approx. 10 minutes' walk from the conference venue. Or look here for alternatives: Calclulate journey with Google-Maps