Is it possible to change the color of the clothes as desired? We always wear clothes of different colors. But what if the same clothes can be worn by changing the color as desired? Sounds ridiculous to hear? But you will be surprised to know that scientists have been able to discover something like this fantasy. And it’s called Colour changing fabric. Surprising as it may seem, the College of Optics & Photonics at the University of Central Florida (UCF) recently invented the first man-controlled color-changing fabric. Users will be able to change the color of this garment through their smartphone app.
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What is the color-changing fabric?
Color-changing fabric is basically a thin layer of cotton woven by optical fiber that is attached to another fabric and emits colorful light rays.
With the application of either process, the fabric is able to temporarily change color to suit whatever the wearer needs and therefore, increase the functionality of the garment. This color-changing garment is going to be one of the inventions of modern textiles. Keeping pace with modern technology, our textile sector is also becoming more developed and brighter day by day.
How does it work?
College researchers in Florida created a temperature-controlled color-changing fabric known as ChroMorphous. Chromorphous technology differs from all other color-variable fabrics on the market. According to scientists at the university, chromophores technology creates an innovative ability that can change the pattern in user-controlled, multidimensional colors, large woven fabrics, and sewn textile products.
And the most remarkable quality of the fabric is the unimaginable technology that has been used to change its color. The yarn used to weave the fabric is wrapped in a very thin, metallic micro-ear. This micro-air allows an electric current to flow by increasing the temperature of the yarn. Once the temperature rises, the pigment in the yarn begins to behave, and the color of the fabric changes. All of it is powered by a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. Last but not least, the person wearing the dress can control the whole process of changing the color as per his wish through his smartphone.
Impact on the environment
Color Changing Fabric is equally important to the environment as it is to the fashion. This color-changing fabric can be a great way for fashion-conscious people. Anyone wearing the same outfit can go to the market as well as parties by changing the color as they desire. And most importantly, this chromophore fabric could be beneficial for our environment in the future. Where one of the most wasteful and adverse effects on the environment is the fashion industry. So for a long time, alternative ways of making clothes by wasting less water have been explored. This was followed by the discovery of this color-changing fabric.
In this modern fashion trend, people are very much fashion-conscious. Due to this people waste a lot of clothes to keep pace with the times. And the more clothes you use, the more water is wasted and the environment is damaged. Leaving color-changing clothing waste practices behind can have a huge positive impact on the environment. So as much as this color-changing fabric will add a new dimension to people’s fashion.
on the contrary, it will reduce our waste rate a bit. It may seem that since it is like an electronic device, it may be used only once, meaning it may not be washed. But the impressive thing is that this fabric can be washed just like any other ordinary cloth. Just before washing, its battery and electronic parts have to be kept open.
The future of color-changing fabric
Environmentalists and the fashion industry alike are extremely excited about color-changing fabrics and the implications that color-changing fabrics have for the future of fashion. While most of these technologies are in the beginning stages, there are at least two products out there that have patents and are working toward becoming producible products in the very near future.
It is going to bring a huge change in the fashion and textile market. Currently, this specialized technology is being developed in collaboration with the College of Optics and Photonics and their partners for mass production in Melbourne and Florida.
“We believe that soon we will see chromophore fabric applied not only to clothing and accessories but also to furniture and home decor. UCF said in the release. Currently, this particular technology is being teamed up with the College of Optics and Photonics and their partners for mass production in Melbourne and Florida.
Dr. Ayman Abouraddy, professor of optics and photonics at the College of Optics & Photonics at the University of Central Florida (CREOL), stated that the age of user-controlled color-changing fabric is here.“Our goal is to bring this technology to the market to make an impact on the textile industry. he said. In the future, researchers think the color-changing fabrics can have medical and military applications among other uses. For those who like to do jogging or sports training at night, these clothes can be a source of many benefits.
It is amazing to think that a dress that can only be imagined in a fairy tale has become real and has come before our eyes today. However, in order to own such a garment, one has to pay a large amount of money. But the hope is that the research of scientists on this color-changing fabric is expanding day by day. So maybe the day is not far away when you go out on the street at night and you will see that the light is flashing all around, a wonderful play of light.
Author: Shamima Akter Riya
Textile Engineering College, Noakhali