Multifunctional active yarns and textiles

US12297593B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Regents of the University of Minnesota · US

Inventors

• Rachael Margaret Granberry · Saint Paul, US
• Santo Padula · Medina, US
• Bradley Thomas Holschuh · North Oaks, US
• Julianna Abel · Minneapolis, US
• Charles Weinberg · Minneapolis, US
• Justin BARRY · Minneapolis, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 2, 2020
• Grant date: May 13, 2025
• Expiry date: Jun 30, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC D): Textiles; Paper
• CPC primary: D10B2509/028
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Yarns incorporating filaments of shape memory materials are described herein that enable the creation of fabrics, garments, and other materials with tunable force absorption or exertion capabilities, as well as creating complex shapes and structures upon actuation. Systems and methods described herein enable selective buckling, recruitment, compression, and other desirable phenomena by actuating fibers in knitted patterns, whether used as isolated filaments or in twisted yarns.