Interactive Surfaces Thanks to Electrically Conductive Ink

Textile Electronics Interactive Surfaces Thanks to Electrically Conductive Ink

2025-11-05 By Hendrik Härter | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

When the knitted shade of the lamp is touched, the light can be controlled, allowing the adjustment of light intensity and color temperature. Behind this is a newly developed conductive ink.

Thanks to the soft interfaces, the lamp can be operated via the tactile light control integrated into the textile, which functions with printable liquid metal ink.(Image: WINT Design Lab / Michelle Mantel) — Thanks to the soft interfaces, the lamp can be operated via the tactile light control integrated into the textile, which functions with printable liquid metal ink.
(Image: WINT Design Lab / Michelle Mantel)

The combination of printable electronics with textiles opens up new possibilities for interactive surfaces. Led by Lukas Werft and Christian Dils from the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration IZM, as well as Robin Hoske and Felix Rasehorn from the WINT Design Lab, the "Soft Interfaces" project is being presented. This project aims to develop textile materials that respond to touch and interact with their environment.

A central aspect of the project is the printable Liquid Metal Ink (LMI) based on Galinstan. This ink, a mixture of gallium, indium, and tin, is characterized by its electrical conductivity and is also environmentally friendly. It is embedded into a solution of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), enhancing its elasticity and printability on flexible substrates. This combination is integrated into knitted textile surfaces, creating functional, flexible, and aesthetically appealing materials.

Technical Highlights And Application

The printed lamp housing features clean lines that are not disrupted by switches or dials. Behind this is a special electrically conductive ink.(Image: WINT Design Lab / Michelle Mantel) — The printed lamp housing features clean lines that are not disrupted by switches or dials. Behind this is a special electrically conductive ink.
(Image: WINT Design Lab / Michelle Mantel)

As a prototype, the project showcases an interactive lamp with a textile-covered lampshade. The focus is on the seamless integration of technology into the design: no switches or dials disrupt the clean lines of the printed lamp housing. The lamp control is managed through subtle patterns on the textile shade, which invite touch and enable intuitive operation.

The textile-based lampshade integrates seven LMI sensor structures. These function as resistive strain sensors that detect subtle pressure changes. Upon touch, the resistance of the material changes, enabling controllable adjustments of light intensity and color temperature.

This technical sophistication opens up a variety of possibilities for developers to integrate flexible, interactive surfaces. Applications range from building technology and consumer electronics to wearable technology.

The Future of Interactive Textiles

The LMI technology developed in the project represents a significant step toward sustainable electronic textiles that are environmentally friendly both in production and use. Developers now have the opportunity to create textile interfaces that are seamlessly integrated into everyday objects and are intuitively operable. Through the continuous advancement of the materials used, the "Soft Interfaces" project is setting new standards in the design of interactive surfaces.

Soft Interfaces demonstrates the potential of liquid metal conductors in elastic textiles for various applications: from novel control elements for smart home textiles or intuitive vehicle surfaces to sensors for wearable electronics and soft robotics. The technology is currently in the lab to prototype stage but offers promising approaches for scalable and energy-efficient products. (heh)

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Date: 08.12.2025

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