Large-area display textiles integrated with functional systems

Displays are basic building blocks of modern electronics1,2. Integrating displays into textiles offers exciting opportunities for smart electronic textiles—the ultimate goal wearable technology, poised to change the way in which we interact with devices3,4,5,6. Display serve bridge human–machine interactions7,8,9, offering, instance, a real-time communication tool individuals voice or speech difficulties. Electronic capable communicating10, sensing11,12 and supplying electricity13,14 have been reported previously. However, functional, large-area not yet achieved, because it is challenging obtain small illuminating units that both durable easy assemble over wide area. Here report 6-metre-long, 25-centimetre-wide display textile containing 5 × 105 electroluminescent spaced approximately 800 micrometres apart. Weaving conductive weft luminescent warp fibres forms micrometre-scale at weft–warp contact points. The brightness between deviates by less than 8 per cent remains stable even when bent, stretched pressed. Our flexible breathable withstands repeated machine-washing, making suitable practical applications. We show an integrated system consisting display, keyboard power supply can as tool, demonstrating system’s potential within ‘internet things’ various areas, including healthcare. approach unifies fabrication function devices textiles, expect woven-fibre materials will shape next generation electronics.