Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a dyed biopolymer comprising the steps of providing at least one biopolymer-producing microorganism, providing at least one dye-producing microorganism, culturing said at least one biopolymer-producing microorganism to produce at least a biopolymer, and culturing said dye-producing microorganism wherein said dye-producing microorganism produce at least a dye suitable to dye at least part of said biopolymer, whereby a dyed biopolymer is obtained. The present invention also relates to a dyed biopolymer, to process for the production of a dyed composite article comprising at least the dyed biopolymer and to articles comprising the dyed biopolymer.

Abstract: It is disclosed a composite yarn structure (10) comprising: —a first element (15) comprising a coaxial flexible bi-component monofilament including a conductive component (20) and a thermoplastic component (30) exhibiting piezoelectric properties, —at least a second element (40) twisted around the first element (15), wherein the second element (40) has a lower elasticity with respect to the elasticity of the first element (15) such that, upon elongation of the yarn structure (10) in a first direction, the yarn structure (10) expands in a second direction, whereby the dimensions of the yarn are increased both in first and second directions to generate an additional force on said piezoelectric component of the first element.

Abstract: It is disclosed an electromagnetic shield (1) and a related method for providing electromagnetic shielding wherein the shield comprises a shielding surface provided with a plurality of electrically conductive elements (2), said plurality of electrically conductive elements (2) being electrically connected to a switching assembly (3) configured to switch said electromagnetic shield (1) between an open configuration, wherein said electrically conductive elements (2) are electrically insulated from one another, and a shorted configuration wherein said electrically conductive elements (2) are electrically connected to each other at a common node (C). When the electrically conductive elements (2) of the electromagnetic shield (1) are switched between the open and shorted configurations, a change of the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) occurs.

Abstract: A wearable device and a method are disclosed for determining induced voltage exposure of a human body to low voltage fluctuations or induced static electricity variation on human body. The wearable device includes conductive elements which form at least part of an antenna and comprises an RF-to-DC converter connected to the conductive elements of the wearable device for harvesting RF energy and induced static electricity variation at the input in the form of an AC voltage (Vin), while the RF-to-DC converter provides a DC voltage (Vout) at the output. The wearable device also comprises a control unit connected to the output of the RF-to-DC converter to determine the induced voltage exposure of a device wearer's body.

Abstract: It is disclosed a stretchable touchpad (10) of the capacitive type including a stretchable textile fabric (20) having a plurality of conductive elements incorporated therein. The conductive elements are resistive strain gauges (30, 40) which form electrodes to detect a change of capacitance caused by a touch. It is also disclosed a method for operating a stretchable touchpad (10) comprising the steps of measuring continuously a capacitance analog signal provided by a resistive strain gauge (30, 40) of the stretchable touchpad (10); and comparing the measured capacitance signal with a threshold value in order to determine whether or not a touch has taken place, wherein the threshold value is continuously adjusted as a function of the actual measurement of capacitance and as a function of the resistance of said resistive strain gauges (30, 40) which form the capacitor electrodes of said touchpad (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a dyed biopolymer comprising the steps of providing at least one biopolymer-producing microorganism, providing at least one dye-producing microorganism, culturing said at least one biopolymer-producing microorganism to produce at least a biopolymer, and culturing said dye-producing microorganism wherein said dye-producing microorganism produce at least a dye suitable to dye at least part of said biopolymer, whereby a dyed biopolymer is obtained. The present invention also relates to a dyed biopolymer, to process for the production of a dyed composite article comprising at least the dyed biopolymer and to articles comprising the dyed biopolymer.

Abstract: It is disclosed an electromagnetic shield (1) and a related method for providing electromagnetic shielding wherein the shield comprises a shielding surface provided with a plurality of electrically conductive elements (2), said plurality of electrically conductive elements (2) being electrically connected to a switching assembly (3) configured to switch said electromagnetic shield (1) between an open configuration, wherein said electrically conductive elements (2) are electrically insulated from one another, and a shorted configuration wherein said electrically conductive elements (2) are electrically connected to each other at a common node (C). When the electrically conductive elements (2) of the electromagnetic shield (1) are switched between the open and shorted configurations, a change of the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) occurs.

Abstract: A wearable device and a method are disclosed for determining induced voltage exposure of a human body to low voltage fluctuations or induced static electricity variation on human body. The wearable device includes conductive elements which form at least part of an antenna and comprises an RF-to-DC converter connected to the conductive elements of the wearable device for harvesting RF energy and induced static electricity variation at the input in the form of an AC voltage (Vin), while the RF-to-DC converter provides a DC voltage (Vout) at the output. The wearable device also comprises a control unit connected to the output of the RF-to-DC converter to determine the induced voltage exposure of a device wearer's body.

Abstract: It is disclosed a stretchable touchpad (10) of the capacitive type including a stretchable textile fabric (20) having a plurality of conductive elements incorporated therein. The conductive elements are resistive strain gauges (30, 40) which form electrodes to detect a change of capacitance caused by a touch. It is also disclosed a method for operating a stretchable touchpad (10) comprising the steps of measuring continuously a capacitance analog signal provided by a resistive strain gauge (30, 40) of the stretchable touchpad (10); and comparing the measured capacitance signal with a threshold value in order to determine whether or not a touch has taken place, wherein the threshold value is continuously adjusted as a function of the actual measurement of capacitance and as a function of the resistance of said resistive strain gauges (30, 40) which form the capacitor electrodes of said touchpad (10).

Abstract: It is disclosed a composite yarn structure (10) comprising: —a first element (15) comprising a coaxial flexible bi-component monofilament including a conductive component (20) and a thermoplastic component (30) exhibiting piezoelectric properties, —at least a second element (40) twisted around the first element (15), wherein the second element (40) has a lower elasticity with respect to the elasticity of the first element (15) such that, upon elongation of the yarn structure (10) in a first direction, the yarn structure (10) expands in a second direction, whereby the dimensions of the yarn are increased both in first and second directions to generate an additional force on said piezoelectric component of the first element.