Formation of novel composite fibres exhibiting thermochromic behaviour

A novel composite monofilament fibre containing cholesteric liquid crystalline materials and exhibiting clear thermochromic behaviour has been developed using polymer melt extrusion techniques. The liquid crystalline material trapped within the fibres changes colour through the full visible spectrum from red to blue as the temperature is increased through a pre-defined temperature range. The behaviour is reversible, readily tunable to a desired temperature range and precise enough that a temperature change of less than 0.5°C may be observable with the naked eye. These fibres can be knitted or woven into a textile product exhibiting similar thermochromic behaviour. Applications of textile products exhibiting a reversible temperature dependent colour change are broad. Fibres exhibiting thermochromic behaviour within the body temperature range are predicted to become highly useful in medical applications. For example, incorporation into wound dressings for complete thermal mapping across a wound bed provides a simpler alternative to electronic based temperature monitoring systems. Detrimental developments such as inflammation and infection may be detected in the early stages using this type of system.