Smart textile innovations: strengthening the location, securing added value, shaping the future
We cordially invite you to our smart textiles workshop on 19 May 2026 in Jena. The focus will be on innovation in sensory textile materials, the challenges involved in manufacturing and the opportunities for strengthening the regional production chain.
Sensory textile materials are becoming increasingly important in various areas of application. The biggest challenge is that production processes and innovative application scenarios must also be taken into account during manufacture. Only by considering all processes in the production chain can positive effects on the economy be expected.
- Development and use of sensory textile materials
- Designing technological processes
- Analysis of opportunities for improving regional value creation
- Promotion of cooperation within regional production
How can smart textile developments be turned into innovative products with added value? How should processes be designed so that innovations contribute to securing the prosperity of our society?
We invite you to benefit from the experiences of other companies and institutions on 19 May 2026, discuss new solutions and gather ideas for your projects.
Smart textile innovations: strengthening the location, securing added value, shaping the future
Date: 19 May 2026, Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Venue: Technologie- und Innovationspark Jena
Hans-Knöll-Straße 6
07745 Jena
Germany
The programme with all topics and speakers for the workshop will be available here shortly.
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 |
Thin films for innovative applications – the example of a textile heat flux sensor Dr Jonathan Plentz – Leibniz Institute for Photonic Technologies (IPHT) The presentation highlights research into and the combination of thin films and nanostructures, particularly those based on semiconductors, metals and transparent conductive materials for functional components. A wide variety of substrates can be functionalised, ranging from glass, wafers and films to unconventional substrate materials such as textiles, wooden surfaces and biomaterials. The research draws on a broad spectrum of physical and wet-chemical coating and deposition processes. These coatings on textiles enable optical, electronic, photovoltaic and thermoelectric functions that can be used for energy generation, sensor technology or cooling. |
| 10:45 |
Coffee break |
| 11:00 |
Presentation topic and description to follow shortly Tobias Sebastian Zech – Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS Further details will follow shortly. |
| 11:30 |
MoGaSens – Development of a manufacturing technology for the chemical modification of sensor yarn electrodes Dr Andrea Preuß – Textile Research Institute Thuringia-Vogtland (TITV) The project is developing a new technology to produce cost-effective textile sensors capable of analysing the quality of water and liquids. To achieve this, conductive yarns are specially coated and chemically modified so that they react to specific substances such as detergents, salt or urea. The resulting textiles can measure minute changes and enable applications in areas such as environmental monitoring or medicine. |
| 12:00 |
Lunch break |
| 12:45 |
Smart Textile Product Development – Bridging Worlds Why successful smart textile products can only be created when textile, hardware, software and market logic are considered together. Jonas Peinze – Enterprise Tech Solutions AG Smart textiles are among the most exciting fields of innovation at the interface between the textile industry, electronics and digital technology. Nevertheless, many projects fail not because of the idea itself, but because of its implementation. The reason: smart textile products are created at the interface of several industrial sectors with completely different development logics. |
| 13:15 |
Development of a skin-friendly, textile-integrated indicator system Dr Lajos Szabó – Thuringian Institute for Textile and Plastics Research (TITK e. V.) The presentation will outline the latest findings from the IGF HeatTex project. The focus is on temperature- and humidity-sensitive filaments, suitable polymer-based sensor materials and their integration into a textile-based sensor cable. The evaluation of various formulations, the selection of melt-spinnable PTC materials and the decision to use cellulose-based humidity sensors will be demonstrated. In addition, the first sensor cables produced and a test bench for temperature calibration will be presented. Finally, the results to date will be assessed in terms of metrological characterisation and industrial applicability. |
| 13:45 | Coffee break |
| 14:00 |
Contact-free 3D molten metal printing: a versatile technology for selective soldering and 3D interconnection on flexible and temperature-sensitive textiles. Dr Zhe Shu – Hahn-Schickard Society for Applied Research The growing demand for smart textiles and wearable electronics calls for metallization and interconnection technologies that combine high electrical performance with mechanical flexibility and compatibility with heat-sensitive substrates. State-of-the-art approaches such as inkjet printing and screen printing face critical challenges in conductivity, manufacturing cost, and post-processing compatibility, while conventional soldering methods are incompatible with textile and polymer substrates. StarJet technology provides a unified, post-processing-free platform for both metallization and component integration on flexible and textile substrates, making it a compelling enabling technology for the next generation of smart wearables and large-area flexible electronics. |
|
14:30 |
MRAssist: MRI-compatible robotic assistance for use with large medical equipment Lars Bölecke, Lucas Hauser – ITP GmbH The project is developing an innovative robotic assistance system for use in magnetic resonance imaging. The aim is to support medical staff during minimally invasive procedures without interfering with the sensitive imaging. The focus is on a robotic arm with variable stiffness, designed to be fully MRI-compatible. Gesture control is planned to enable intuitive operation by the surgeon, whilst AI-based object recognition is intended to assist in the selection of suitable instruments. |
|
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.
When: 19 May 2026, 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