A European Integrated Project supported through the Sixth Framework

Programme for Research and Technological Development

 General objective of the
INTELTEX project
Intelligent Multi-reactive textiles integrating nano-filler
based Conductive Polymer Composite fibers (CPC)
The overall objective of the INTELTEX project is to
develop a radically new approach to obtain intelligent
textiles combining five innovative functions:
• Continuous measurement of mechanical stresses
applied to the textile structure,
• Thermal self regulated textile surfaces,
• Detection of chemicals (toxic volatile solvents…),
• Warm barrier,
• Solidity.
This multi-sensitivity will be ensured by the integration
of CPC in textiles fibres. CPC, obtained by dispersion
of conductive particles in a non conductive polymeric
matrix, is a material whose electrical conductivity
changes depending on external stresses such as
temperature, strain and vapour atmosphere.
By processing textiles structures integrating CPC-
based fibres, it will be possible to get multi-reactive
textiles where the fibres and the textile act as sensors.

Context
In order to cope with competition from low-wage countries and to improve the international
competitiveness of the European textile industry, new technical textiles with high-added-
value need to be developed. INTELTEX will bring together renowned European academic, R&D
partners and innovative SMEs in the fields of nanotechnology and traditional textiles for a
common multidisciplinary work.

The creation of new technical and multifunctional textiles such as that proposed by INTELTEX
will promote the transition towards a more knowledge based and less resource intensive textiles
industry. The strategic market of technical textiles exhibit strong expansion and seems perfectly
mature to benefit from the groundbreaking innovations generated by nanotechnology.
 Innovations
INTELTEX offer radical innovations in 2 areas:
1) Textiles area: development of a CPC-based
multifunctional technical textile combining 5
innovative functions mentioned above.
2) Materials and nanotechnology area:
development of stable carbon nanotube based
multiphase CPC by controlling at nanoscale
level the dispersion of carbon nanotubes. The
inter-particle gap is indeed a key-factor to
get spinable CPC with the desired electrical
properties.

Exemples of applications
This new multifunctional textile will be used for
many important applications with customised
properties tailored to the following applications :
• Building application: wall fabric to detect
cracks and temperature changes / industrial
floors for leakage control and volatile solvent
detection,
• Medical application: medical wear for
monitoring body temperature,
• Protective clothing: combination of the three
functionalities in fire-man clothing : monitoring
near skin temperature, exterior temperature,
mechanical stress (detection of an impact) and
toxic volatile solvents such as carbon monoxide
in fire.
Toxicity and environmental aspects of the
technology developed will be also deeply
investigated in the project.

Work Organisation
SP2: Development of spinable conductive polymer
composites (CPC) for sensing
SP9: Training, dissemination and
survey for future CPC textiles

SP7: Toxicology and life cycle

SP3: Preparation of textile mono- and multifilament

SP1: Market and regulatory

SP8: Project Mnangement

yarns using CPC

standardisation activities

SP4: Processing of the smart and multifunctional textiles

IPR activities

SP5: Sensors and captors development

SP6: Demonstrators activities

 Consortium
In order to reach these ambitious objectives the partnership will gather 22 partners from 9 countries. The
INTELTEX consortium includes many high-tech multinational SMEs from materials and textiles technology
providers, to fibre manufacturers and textile end users. They will integrate the research performed by
high quality European universities for the fundamental research aspect.

Acknowledgements
Création :: Comète :: www.comete.com

It has been running since the 1st September 2006 and will last 48 months
Budget: 7 316 235 €
Grant: 4 699 728 €

Project Coordinator:
Dr. Frédéric LUIZI, NANOCYL S.A., fluizi@nanocyl.com, +32 71 750 380
and Luca MEZZO, NANOCYL S.A., lmezzo@nanocyl.com, + 32 71 750 385

EC Project Officer:
Mr. Milan GROHOL, DG Research - G2, Directorate Industrial Technologies
milan.grohol@ec.europa.eu, +32 2 29 86614

With the support of:

www.inteltex.eu ALMA Consulting Group: Ms Anne-Lise Fiard, alfiard@almacg.com, +33 4 72 35 80 30