Wiresthat

Wiresthat is a term used in materials science and textile engineering to describe flexible, conductive networks that route electrical signals and power through a substrate such as fabric, polymer sheet, or composite. The concept emphasizes distributed interconnects that retain electrical continuity under deformation, enabling electronics to be integrated into nontraditional form factors like wearables and soft devices.

Construction and variants of wiresthat typically involve ultra-fine metallic microwires or carbon fibers, insulated by a polymer sheath or ceramic coating. The wires are arranged in weave, mesh, or braiding patterns to form a continuous network with controllable impedance and redundancy. Variants may use single-directional or multi-axial layouts to support sensing, actuation, or simple power distribution, and may be embedded in textiles, films, or molded polymers.

Manufacture and integration generally employ micro-weaving, electrospinning, or extrusion followed by insulation and encapsulation. The resulting networks can be laminated, stitched, or embedded during composite fabrication, and are often designed to be compatible with printed or flexible electronics for sensors, interconnects, and low-power actuators. They are frequently paired with stretchable conductors and encapsulation materials to improve durability in dynamic environments.

Applications of wiresthat span smart clothing, soft robotics, aerospace composites, and architecture. In wearables, they serve as distributed interconnects and strain sensors; in soft robotics, they provide compliant wiring for sensors and fault-tolerant control; in structural applications, they enable embedded sensing networks within composites.

Limitations include manufacturing complexity, cost, signal loss at higher frequencies, and long-term reliability under repeated deformation. Ongoing work focuses on standardization of materials, integration methods, and reliability testing.

See also: conductive textiles, flexible electronics, smart fabrics, wire mesh.