Prof. Tao Xiao-ming and Dr Li Qiao at PolyU's Institute of Textiles and Clothing have developed fabric circuit boards (FCBs) wearable like ordinary fabric. They are permeable, soft and deformable, highly stretchable, washable and durable. With novel computerized textile technology, the FCBs are made by knitting a combination of conductive and conventional fibres.

Exhibiting outstanding electrical stability with less than 1% relative resistance, the wearable FCBs not only have satisfactory washing capability and stretchability performance, but have also passed various extreme-condition tests. The protective apparel made by FCBs can even withstand ballistic impact. In addition, the FCBs are tailorable as apparels and machine-washable and dryable. In future, FCBs' distinctive features will make them particularly suitable for producing next-to-skin electronic devices and intelligent, durable military suits.

The findings of the innovation have recently been published in Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences.