Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a knitted textile. The knitted textile comprises a knitted textile sensor. The knitted textile sensor comprises an electrically conductive yarn and a plurality of stitches that form a defined sensing stitch pattern. The sensing stitch pattern comprises stitches selected from the group consisting of: jersey stitches; tuck stitches; and/or miss stitches; as well as any combination thereof. The sensing stitch pattern provides a measurable contact resistance that varies with a force applied to the textile. The knitted textile comprises a knitted support structure within which the knitted textile sensor is integrated. The knitted support structure comprises a plurality of stitches that form a defined support stitch pattern, the support stitch pattern comprising stitches selected from the group consisting of: jersey stitches; tuck stitches; and/or miss stitches; as well as any combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for optimizing contact resistance in electrically conductive yarns and textiles, and textiles having such optimized contact resistance, can include selecting a sensing activity for the textile; selecting a combination of variables from among yarn variables, stitch variables, and textile variables; and knitting an electrically conductive yarn in the textile in accordance with the selected combination of variables, wherein the knitted combination of variables provides an optimal contact resistance in the textile correlated with a desired electrical conductivity for the sensing activity. The knitted combination of variables can provide a predictable yarn contact area for the electrically conductive yarn correlated with the optimal contact resistance.

Abstract: A method for making a textile sensor and a textile sensor can include selecting a combination of variables from the group consisting of yarn variables, stitch variables, and textile variables; and knitting an electrically conductive yarn in the textile sensor in accordance with the selected combination of variables, wherein the combination of variables is selected so as to provide a controlled amount of contact resistance in the textile sensor. The method and textile can further include a capacitive textile-sensor having at least two integrally knit capacitor plate elements and having a configuration adapted for a sensing activity. Resistance in the textile sensor can automatically calibrate to a stable baseline level after the textile sensor is applied to a body.

Abstract: A method for making a textile sensor and a textile sensor can include selecting a combination of variables from the group consisting of yarn variables, stitch variables, and textile variables; and knitting an electrically conductive yarn in the textile sensor in accordance with the selected combination of variables, wherein the combination of variables is selected so as to provide a controlled amount of contact resistance in the textile sensor. The method and textile can further include a capacitive textile-sensor having at least two integrally knit capacitor plate elements and having a configuration adapted for a sensing activity. Resistance in the textile sensor can automatically calibrate to a stable baseline level after the textile sensor is applied to a body.

Abstract: A method for optimizing contact resistance in electrically conductive yarns and textiles, and textiles having such optimized contact resistance, can include selecting a sensing activity for the textile; selecting a combination of variables from among yarn variables, stitch variables, and textile variables; and knitting an electrically conductive yarn in the textile in accordance with the selected combination of variables, wherein the knitted combination of variables provides an optimal contact resistance in the textile correlated with a desired electrical conductivity for the sensing activity. The knitted combination of variables can provide a predict able yarn contact area for the electrically conductive yarn correlated with the optimal contact resistance.