How can light be controlled without a switch or dimmer? Isabel Cabral, a guest researcher at the Swedish School of Textiles, asked herself just that question. Her project 'Light Filters,' where textiles control the light, is now on display at the Smart Textiles Origami exhibition at the Textile Museum in Boräs.

Isabel was originally a product developer and started taking an interest in smart textiles during her studies in Portugal and Barcelona. For six months, she has been a guest researcher at the Swedish School of Textiles, where she is learning more about the use of smart textiles.

"I wanted to find a way to change the light in a room without having to alter the lamp itself."

During the exhibit, or open studio as she prefers to call it, she will demonstrate the process behind the project, as well as the end results.

"I have developed a wall of curtains that light up when someone comes close. I imagine that textiles like these could be used in public places, like libraries. The curtains would then be dark when nobody's around, but when someone sits down to read a book, they would light up," says Isabel Cabral.

Isabel has combined thermo-chromatic dye, a conductive structure and sensors. The thermo-chromatic dye warms up as the sensors are activated and the curtains go from darkness to light. She will also demonstrate how the same concept can be used for lamps.

The exhibit opens at 5.00 pm on the 24t March, running until the 25th, at the Textile Museum in Boräs.

Source: Smart Textiles