The Miraculous Cloth: 'CHROMORPHOUS CLOTH' which changes colour automatically

We all know about Chameleons, the cute yet scary species who can change their skin colour whenever they wish. But do we know that they can change their skin colour because of Iridophore cells? Yes, Iridophore cells. These cells contain nanocrystals of different shapes, sizes and organisations. Whenever chameleons get excited the distance between neighbouring nanocrystals increases and each iridophore cell selectively reflects longer wavelengths (example - yellow, orange, red etc.). And that's how they get all the cool skin tones. 

Chameleon

Well, no need to be jealous of chameleons. Although we can't change our skin colour automatically at least we can change our clothes' colour. Yes, you read it right. Researchers of the University of Central Florida have invented a new kind of fabric that can change its colour. This new fabric is named as ChroMorphus fabric. Animals who can change colour are known as Chromatophores, so this fabric was named as Chromorphous.

How this fabric works?

Just like other fabrics this fabric is also made of fine threads. The fibres were created from normal raw materials using fibre spinning machine used in the textile industry. But the machine was differently programmed so while making those fibres it inserted micro-wire and colour-altering pigment inside each thread. This fabric is controlled using a smartphone. Currently, the app connects to your device via Wi-fi but there are plans to add Bluetooth in the future. So when a user finishes inputting colour and pattern a quick electric current flows ( it doesn't touch or harm human skin) and as its result, the wires alter the temperature of the fabric uniformly and the change of temperature can't be noticed by touching the fabric responds to this modification by changing its colour or pattern. This system is powered by a battery which is hidden inside the cloth. And this whole process can be controlled using smart devices by installing an app. For example, if you want to change a pink bag to a blue striped bag you have to select pattern and colour from the app and voila!! Now you have a gorgeous blue striped bag. And this cloth can be cut, sewn, washed and ironed like traditional fabric. The fabric can be washed after removing the detachable battery and connector.  

Bag made of Chromorphous cloth. (Photo courtesy: CNBC.COM)

Is it the first human tried to make smart clothing?

Fashion and textile industry and Technolgy are two different fields. But in this era of globalization, there were several attempts in past to use technology in the textile field to make fashionable technology. In the past, there were colour changing fabrics which contained LED that released various colour's light. And Google has already tried making this but they weaved metal wires within clothing so it looked quite unnatural. Google collaborated with Levi's and create a wearable electronic jacket which can control music playback, navigation etc. 

Jacquard  Google's smart jacket. ( picture credit: Google.com)

Future of ChroMorphous materials:

Imagine those situations when you have gone to a party and found out another person wearing the same cloth as yours. If we have Chromorphous cloth we can change our clothes so no more embarrassment. The researchers said they are expecting mass production very soon. But there are several problems for that so let's discuss those. 

• Firstly the fabric is a bit rougher compared to those fabric used in clothing (example - cotton, polyester etc. ). So it is good for bags and even for shoes but using it for making dresses or shirts is not suitable.

  

  Colour changing bags. (picture courtesy; CNBC.com)

   

solution:  

The team said that it is because of the radius of the fibres. So they are working towards producing thinner fibres so it will be smoother and more flexible. 

• Secondly, there is a battery attached to it. In the case of the bag, it can be hidden into a small pocket inside it. But for dresses, it will be a problem. 
• Thirdly, until now it takes approximately 45 seconds to change its colour. Making it faster or slower will depend on its battery condition. Now again think about our party example if someone is seen changing the colour of their clothes middle of a party it will create chaos. So the process needs to be in an instance. 
• Fourthly, as the length of the dresses increases the size of the battery also increases. So it would be a big problem. 

  Currently, scientists of College of Optics & Photonics at the University of Central Florida are working to solve these problems. Let's wish them best of luck and wait to wear cool colour changing clothes to flatter ourselves. 

   So what do you people think about it? Feel free to say in comments.