Method of making a conductive fabric

Abstract

A method for making an electrically conductive fabric, comprising the steps of: providing a fabric; preparing a silicone rubber mixture enriched with an electrically conductive agent is described. Advantageously, the method provides a step c) of spreading the silicone rubber mixture comprising such electrically conductive agent on a working surface, cross-linking the silicone rubber mixture on the working surface thus obtaining one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber and attaching such layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber on the fabric, thus obtaining an electrically conductive fabric. Such electrically conductive fabric can be used to detect and / or measure a movement of a living organism (person or animal) or mechanical component.

Description

[0001] Method of making a conductive fabric

[0002] ****

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates to a method of making a conductive fabric; in particular, the present invention relates to a method of making a fabric provided with a portion made of an electrically conductive silicone rubber and which, when worn by a user, can detect and / or measure one or more movements of the user.

[0006] Background Art

[0007] In recent years, the so-called "smart clothing" sector related to garments, such as, for example, T-shirts or sports suits, with sensors and integrated devices has been experiencing increasing development. In these clothes, the technological component is one with the textile portion, or base; it enables continuous monitoring of movement and / or vital parameters, such as heart rate and respiratory rate.

[0008] Such garments comprise one or more sensors capable of detecting the user's movements and / or vital parameters.

[0009] For example, in ATALAY, Asli, et al. (ATALAY, Asli, et al. Batch fabrication of customizable silicone-textile composite capacitive strain sensors for human motion tracking. Advanced Materials Technologies, 2017, 2.9: 1700136.) a capacitive sensor capable of detecting the movements of a user is described.

[0010] Specifically, a glove capable of detecting the user's hand movements is described; indeed, the glove comprises multiple capacitive sensors made as described below.

[0011] Each capacitive sensor comprises two layers of silver-coated knitted textile fabric that function as electrodes and are separated by a silicone elastomeric layer with dielectric (insulating) properties. The silver-coated knitted fabric corresponds to the fabric known by the trade name Shieldex® Med-tex P180 by the company Statex Produktions- und Vertriebs GmbH hybrid knit fabric made of 94% polyamide and 6% Dorlastan and coated with silver.

[0012] The silicone used to make the dielectric layer corresponds to the product Ecoflex™ 00-30 by the company Smooth-On, Inc. (https: / / w w. smooth-

[0013] In practice, to make the sensor, a layer of silicone is produced by casting, and a layer of silver-coated knitted fabric is applied at each face of the silicone layer (a thin layer of silicone is applied and each textile layer is adhered with a roller). Therefore, a mat is made, from which a capacitive sensor with the desired shape is formed by a laser. Finally, cables are attached to the capacitive sensor for the electrical connection.

[0014] In order to demonstrate the capability of the capacitive sensors to detect and measure the magnitude of movement, a glove was precisely made to which various capacitive sensors were attached using Ecoflex™ 00-30 silicone. In Figure 4(d) it is possible to observe the capacitance graph related to each finger of the hand during movement.

[0015] In Application CN110714337, a process for making sensorized fabrics coated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is described. In particular, the preparation of the CNT-containing resin is done by solution-assisted ultrasonic dispersion: 300 mg CNT is dispersed in 30 ml toluene by magnetic stirring for 5 minutes, followed by ultrasonic treatment for 30 minutes. 10 g of component A of a two- component PDMS-based silicone rubber is added to the dispersion, followed by further stirring and ultrasonic dispersion. Next, 1 g of component B (hardener) is added according to a 10:1 mass ratio, with further cycles of stirring and ultrasonic dispersion. After resting for 10 minutes, a CNT / PDMS liquid resin ready for application is obtained.

[0016] The fabric is dipped into a CNT dispersion prepared with starch-based hydro-absorbent resin in N-methylpyrrolidone containing anionic surfactant (sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate) with conductive and wetting function. The dispersion, with a final concentration of 3 mg / mL for CNT and surfactant, is obtained by ultrasonic treatment at 30 °C for 30 minutes.

[0017] The fabric is dipped into the dispersion with bath ratio 1 :30 and subjected to thermostatically controlled stirring for 5 hours at 30 °C, followed by drying at 60 °C for 1.5 hours. After drying, it is conditioned at 25 °C and 100% relative humidity to achieve a moisture content of 2% by weight.

[0018] CNT / PDMS resin is then applied evenly to both surfaces of the wet fabric, with an amount of 100 g / m2per side. The coated fabric is placed under vacuum conditions (0.05 MPa) to remove bubbles and organic solvent (toluene), then transferred to a vacuum oven at 40 °C for 40 minutes, followed by evaporation in a fume hood for 12 hours and finally polymerization in a ventilated oven at 35 °C for 4 hours.

[0019] The Applicants noted that known motion sensors are difficult and expensive to make; therefore, there is the need to find alternative solutions that are cheaper and easier to make.

[0020] The drawbacks outlined in the garment industry are also present in other technical fields where it is necessary to detect and measure the movements of animals or mechanical components.

[0021] Summary of the invention

[0022] Object of the present invention is to provide a method for making an electrically conductive fabric that allows detecting and / or measuring the movements of a living organism (humans, animals, etc.) or a mechanical component and that enables overcoming one or more of the drawbacks of the known art by being easy, fast, and cheap to implement.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrically conductive fabric that can be applied to a living organism or mechanical component which enables measuring and / or detecting their movements, by being easy, cheap and quick to make.

[0024] Therefore, the present invention concerns a method according to claim 1 .

[0025] In particular, the present invention relates to a method for making an electrically conductive fabric, that is, a fabric comprising a fabric backing (such as, for example, a T-shirt or leggings) and one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber that are capable of conducting the electric current when subjected to an electric field.

[0026] The method has the following steps.

[0027] Step a) involves providing a fabric, or fabric backing. Such a fabric can be any fabric that can be applied to a living organism or mechanical component. In particular, the fabric can be applied to a human, an animal, or a portion of a robotic arm.

[0028] Preferably, the fabric is part of a dress that can be worn by a human (for example, a person training at a gym).

[0029] Step b) involves mixing a first composition with a second composition. These first composition and second composition are compositions suitable, when mixed with each other, to obtain a silicone rubber. Therefore, these compositions can also be identified as the first composition for silicone rubber and second composition for silicone rubber.

[0030] Compositions of this type are known to the technician in the field and are widely commercially available; therefore, a technician in the field can rely on common industry knowledge to perform this step.

[0031] In particular, the first composition comprises a first crosslinking agent and a catalyst whereas the second composition comprises a base and a second crosslinking agent. As it is known, the first crosslinking agent and the second crosslinking agent are selected in such a way that, once they are mixed with each other, they allow cross-linking of the silicone rubber, that is, the transition from a liquid or semi-liquid mixture to a silicone rubber of solid consistency.

[0032] The method involves, as it is known, mixing the first composition with the second composition in such a way as to create a silicone rubber mixture, that is, a mixture which, once cross-linked, generates a silicone rubber. Therefore, the mixture can also be identified as a silicone rubber mixture. Times and ways to mix the first composition and the second composition can be selected by the technician in the field based on the components used and the relevant knowledge known in the field.

[0033] During step b), an electrically conductive agent is also added, that is, a component that is capable of making the silicone rubber electrically conductive when subjected to an electric field.

[0034] The making of electrically conductive silicone rubbers is an aspect already known in the field, that is, there are already known recipes which allows making electrically conductive silicone rubbers. Therefore, in the context of the present invention, it is not essential that a particular electrically conductive silicone rubber be selected: a technician in the field will be able to select the best electrically conductive agent depending on the circumstances and the components of the first composition and the second composition.

[0035] In particular, the electrically conductive agent is added to one or more of: the first composition, the second composition or the silicone rubber mixture. Preferably, the conductive agent is added to the first composition and / or the second composition before they are mixed, but it is possible to add it to the silicone rubber mixture already formed. In general, when preparing the silicone rubber mixture, care should be taken to ensure that the various components, and in particular the electrically conductive agent, are mixed as homogeneously as possible so as to allow adequate transmission of the electric current.

[0036] Advantageously, the method comprises an additional step c).

[0037] In step c), cross-linking, or solidification, of the silicone rubber mixture is performed on a working surface, that is, not directly on the fabric. Indeed, step c) involves spreading the silicone rubber mixture prepared in step b), or part of it, on a working surface. It is possible to identify one or more areas of the working surface on which to spread the silicone rubber mixture. For this purpose, the working surface can be provided with one or more molds where the mixture can be laid down.

[0038] As mentioned above, the silicone rubber mixture is made to cross-link on that working surface so as to obtain one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber. For example, it is possible to obtain one layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber in a rectangular shape and one in a circular shape.

[0039] Once one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber have been made, they are attached to the fabric in one or more predetermined portions, thus obtaining an electrically conductive fabric.

[0040] Each layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber made according to step c) is basically an elastomer layer with elastic properties that is enriched with an electrically conductive agent. In other words, these one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber can be extended from an initial, resting configuration to an extended configuration and then back to the initial configuration.

[0041] Unlike known solutions, the method according to the present invention enables an electrically conductive fabric to be made easily, quickly and cheaply. Furthermore, unlike the solutions of the known art described above, the electrically conductive fabric allows detecting and / or measuring the movements of a living being or mechanical component by taking advantage of the fact that, during the execution of a movement, the fabric is stretched and, with it, so is the layer, or layers, of electrically conductive silicone rubber. Because of this elongation, the network, or net, between the particles of the electrically conductive agent at least partially breaks down, because they are at a greater distance from each other. Therefore, when an electric field is applied, there is an increase in the electric resistance that is proportional to the elongation undergone by the layer of electrically conductive rubber.

[0042] Once the movement is ended and the fabric, with the layer of electrically conductive rubber, returns to its initial configuration, the electric resistance returns to its initial value.

[0043] Preferably, the first crosslinking agent is between 4% and 6% by weight, the catalyst is between 0.001% and 10% by weight, the second crosslinking agent is between 5% and 35% by weight, the electrically conductive agent is between 0.1 % and 40% by weight, and the base is the remainder up to 100% in the silicone rubber mixture.

[0044] Preferably, the base is polydimethylsiloxane PDMS.

[0045] Additional additives, such as stabilizers and release agents, and a filler such as fumed silica may also be possibly present in the silicone rubber mixture.

[0046] A technician in the field will know how to select the amounts of each component depending on the specific combination of products used and practical needs.

[0047] Preferably, the first crosslinking agent is selected from one or more of: siloxanes with hydride side-groups, siloxanes with vinyl side- and end-groups, siloxanes with phenyl side-groups, siloxanes with trifluoropropyl side-groups, and correspondingly, the second crosslinking agent may be selected from one or more of: siloxanes with hydride side-groups, siloxanes with vinyl side- and end-groups, siloxanes with phenyl side-groups, siloxanes with trifluoropropyl side-groups. A technician in the field will know how to select the first crosslinking agent and the second crosslinking agent based on common knowledge in the field. For example, the first crosslinking agent is a siloxane with hydride side- groups and the second crosslinking agent is a siloxane with vinyl side- and end- groups.

[0048] Preferably, the electrically conductive agent is selected from: metal particles, fibers or inorganic particles provided with a metal coating, carbon compounds, or a combination thereof.

[0049] Preferably, carbon compounds can be used. These carbon compounds can be: carbon black, graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes, or a combination thereof. In the field, carbon black is also known as coal black.

[0050] Preferably, in the silicone rubber mixture, carbon black is between 10 and 40% by weight, graphite is between 0.1 and 15% by weight, graphene is between 0.1 % and 15% by weight, and carbon nanotubes are between 0.1 % and 15% by weight.

[0051] Preferably, the catalyst is selected from: a platinum catalyst, a peroxide catalyst, a benzoyl peroxide catalyst, a 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane peroxide catalyst, a tin-based catalyst, or a photoinitiator.

[0052] In the field, a photoinitiator refers to a molecule that is sensitive to UV light and is able to catalyze the cross-linking of a silicone rubber. The most common photoinitiators are benzoin-based composites, benzoin derivatives and acetophenone derivatives. These compounds decompose when exposed to UV light and generate free radicals that induce cross-linking.

[0053] Preferably, the platinum catalyst is between 0.001 % and 0.1 % by weight, the tin-based catalyst is between 0.05% and 2% by weight, the peroxide-based catalyst is between 0.5% and 5% and the photoinitiator is between 0.1% and 8% by weight in the silicone rubber mixture.

[0054] Preferably, the silicone rubber mixture has a liquid, or semi-solid, consistency before cross-linking is performed during step c).

[0055] The fabric on which the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber is provided is, or comprises, cotton, nonwoven fabric, acrylic, lycra, wool, nylon, polyester, silk, tencel, viscolycra, viscose.

[0056] Cross-linking is performed according to knowledge known in the field.

[0057] Preferably, it can be carried out in two ways: by heating or by UV light.

[0058] In the first case, it is possible to heat the silicone rubber mixture applied to the working surface at a temperature between 80°C and 200°C (for example, 180°) for a time interval between 10 and 120 seconds (for example, 60 seconds), or by exposing the silicone rubber mixture to UV light (for example, at a wavelength of 365 nm) for a time interval between 10 seconds and 5 minutes.

[0059] Preferably, in step c), the layer, or layers, of electrically conductive silicone rubber is attached, or are attached, to the fabric by using an adhesive substance or by sewing this layer, or layers, to the fabric at the corresponding perimeter.

[0060] Preferably, in order to apply an electric field to the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber, it is possible to equip the electrically conductive fabric with one or more devices capable of generating an electric field and measuring the electric resistance of one or more corresponding layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber. Such a device, or devices, are each equipped with a first terminal and a second terminal: a first terminal is applied to a first portion of a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber and a second terminal of such a device is applied to a second portion, different from the first one, of the same layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber. This way, by passing an electric current between the first terminal and the second terminal through the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber, it is possible to measure changes in the electric resistance of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber during fabric elongation and detect and / or measure the displacement performed.

[0061] The present invention, in a second aspect thereof, relates to an electrically conductive fabric according to claim 15.

[0062] In particular, claim 15 relates to an electrically conductive fabric comprising a fabric, that is, a fabric backing, and one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber applied to at least one portion, or surface, of that fabric. As described above, those one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber comprise, or consist of, a silicone rubber enriched with an electrically conductive agent.

[0063] Preferably, the electrically conductive fabric is obtained by applying the method described above.

[0064] In practice, that electrically conductive fabric has a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber next to at least one surface (for example, rectangular or circular in shape). Preferably, the electrically conductive fabric comprises multiple layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber at corresponding portions, or areas, of the fabric backing. For example, three or four areas, or surface portions, may be identified on the fabric backing, and a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber may be present at each area.

[0065] The advantages resulting from an electrically conductive fabric made according to the present invention are comparable with those described above with the implementation method according to claim 1. In particular, compared with the solutions of the known art, the electrically conductive fabric according to the present invention is easier, faster and cheaper to make and, moreover, differs from the known art in the principle of its operation. Actually, the electrically conductive fabric described herein can be used to detect and / or measure one or more movements of a living organism (people, animals, etc.) or of a mechanical component to which the electrically conductive fabric is applied by taking advantage of the fact that, when stretched, the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber reveals a change in the electric conductivity that is proportional to the elongation itself; this is due to the fact that, due to elongation, the network, or net, between the particles of the electrically conductive agent breaks down, at least partially, in a way that is proportional to the elongation itself.

[0066] The electrically conductive fabric comprises one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber which are attached to the fabric backing by means of an adhesive substance and / or by means of stitches. In practice, it can be obtained according to step c) of the above described method. In this case, the layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber preferably have a thickness between 0.01 and 3 mm.

[0067] The electrically conductive fabric can be configured into a first relaxed or resting configuration corresponding to the unstretched fabric backing, and at least one second stretched configuration corresponding to the stretched fabric backing in response to a force applied on it.

[0068] In practice, imagining that such electrically conductive fabric is part of a T-shirt worn by a person at a gym, the first relaxed configuration corresponds to when the person is not doing any physical exercise and thus to when he or she exerts no stretching force on the fabric backing.

[0069] The at least one second elongated configuration is so defined because there may be multiple configurations that can be defined and are elongated compared to the first configuration, depending on the degree of extension of the fabric backing.

[0070] In particular, in response to the application of an electric field to those one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber, the first configuration corresponds to a first value of electric resistance and the at least one second configuration corresponds to a second value of electric resistance greater than the first value of electric resistance. This property can be used to detect and / or measure a movement of a user wearing such electrically conductive fabric. For example, the electric field can be applied by a specific device that also allows the electric resistance of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber to be measured.

[0071] If the electrically conductive fabric is provided with multiple layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber placed at different portions, or areas, of the fabric backing, each of these layers will exhibit changes in the electric resistance that are different depending on the elongation to which each of the respective portions, or areas, is subjected. For this purpose, each layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber can be provided with a device suitable for generating an electric field and measuring the resistance, or it is possible to provide a common device for multiple layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber.

[0072] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a garment according to claim 18.

[0073] In particular, a garment according to claim 18 comprises one or more portions comprising, or consisting of, an electrically conductive fabric as described above. Such a garment can be any garment that can be worn by a human being or an animal. For example, the garment may be a T-shirt or a pair of pants or tracksuit which can be worn by a person.

[0074] In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a method of detecting and / or measuring a movement of a living organism or mechanical component, comprising the steps of: d) providing an electrically conductive fabric or garment as described above; e) applying a device capable of generating an electric field and measuring the electric resistance of each of said one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber to the electrically conductive fabric. In particular, a first terminal of such a device is applied to a first portion of each of such one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber and a second terminal is applied to a second portion of each of such one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber; f) for each of these one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber, creating a calibration curve by correlating two or more elongation values of the electrically conductive fabric with corresponding electric resistance values measured with the device. Preferably, the calibration curve is a calibration straight line; g) applying the same electrically conductive fabric to a living organism (for example, a person) or mechanical component; h) during the movement of this living organism or this mechanical component, for each of these one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber, detecting, by means of the device, one or more electric resistance values and deriving the corresponding elongation values of the electrically conductive fabric by using the calibration curve created in step f) so as to detect and / or measure one or more movements. This way, it is possible to detect and measure the movements of a user or mechanical component to which the electrically conductive fabric is applied.

[0075] The elongation values can be provided, for example, by a PC or a special cell phone application.

[0076] Preferably, the electrically conductive fabric comprises multiple layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber, which are placed in different areas of the fabric. This way, it is possible to measure and / or detect corresponding movements occurring at each of these areas.

[0077] Preferably, for each of these one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber, the first portion and the second portion of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber lie on a longitudinal axis, and the elongation values given correspond to elongation values of the respective portion of the fabric with respect to that longitudinal axis.

[0078] Brief list of the figures

[0079] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more evident by the review of the following detailed description of its preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments set forth for illustration purposes only and without limitation, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0080] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a T-shirt provided with a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 10;

[0081] Figure 2 is a graph correlating the elongation undergone by a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 10 to the value of electric resistance.

[0082] Detailed description of the invention

[0083] An embodiment of the method according to the present invention is described below, which relates to making an electrically conductive fabric comprising an electrically conductive silicone rubber, that is, an elastomer capable of transmitting electricity when subjected to an electric field.

[0084] This embodiment will be described by referring to a T-shirt, shown in Figure 1 , intended to be worn by a user to perform one or more movements. For example, the T-shirt may be a cotton T-shirt which a user can use in a gym during a weightlifting exercise. In general, the method is applicable to the fabric of any garment for human beings or animals, to a fabric applicable to any living organism or to a fabric applicable to any mechanical component.

[0085] For example, the method can be applied to a portion of cotton fabric, nonwoven fabric, acrylic, Lycra, wools, nylon base, polyester base, silk, tencel, viscolycra, viscose.

[0086] Before going into the description of the individual embodiments, it should be specified that, unless otherwise specified, in order to make an electrically conductive silicone rubber for use in the present method, a technician in the field may refer to technical teachings in the field on making silicone rubbers and, in particular, liquid silicone rubbers (or LSRs).

[0087] In general, making a silicone rubber involves mixing together a first composition and a second composition to form a silicone rubber mixture. Clearly, it is also possible to make use of a first composition and / or second composition that are already commercially available.

[0088] Generally, the first composition comprises at least one first crosslinking agent and one catalyst, whereas the second composition comprises at least one base and one second crosslinking agent. In general, according to the invention, at least one of the first composition and the second composition may comprise an agent able to inhibit cross-linking, a filler such as fumed silica and additional additives.

[0089] A technician in the field will know how to select the components of each composition and the respective weight / molar ratios according to specific needs.

[0090] For example, as a first crosslinking agent it is possible to select one or more of: siloxanes containing hydride side-groups, siloxanes containing vinyl side- and end-groups, siloxanes containing phenyl side-groups or siloxanes containing trifluoropropyl side-groups.

[0091] Correspondingly, also the second crosslinking agent may be selected from one or more of: siloxanes containing hydride side-groups, siloxanes containing vinyl side- and end-groups, siloxanes containing phenyl side-groups or siloxanes containing trifluoropropyl side-groups.

[0092] Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) can be used as a base.

[0093] As a catalyst it is possible to use one or more of: a platinum catalyst such as hexachloroplatinic acid (H2PtCI6), a peroxide catalyst such as dicumyl peroxide DCP (C6H5C(CH3)2-O-O-C(CH3)2C6H5), a benzoyl peroxide BPO ( C6H5C(O)-O-O-C(O)C6H5), a peroxide of 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t- butylperoxy)hexane DBPH (C8Hi804), a tin-based catalyst or a photoinitiator such as 2-benzyloxy-2-methylpropan-1-one (C11 H 12O2).

[0094] Furthermore, a technician in the field will also know how to select one or more appropriate electrically conductive agents (and the related concentrations) in order to make the silicone rubber mixture electrically conductive.

[0095] For example, it is possible to use one or more electrically conductive agents selected from: metal particles, fibers or inorganic particles suitably treated and provided with a metal coating, carbon compounds.

[0096] In particular, the metal particles can be: iron particles, copper particles, aluminum particles, nickel particles, silver particles, gold particles, palladium particles in spherical or fibril form, or a combination thereof.

[0097] The carbon compounds can be: carbon black, graphite, graphene, possibly functionalized carbon nanotubes, or a combination thereof.

[0098] Finally, depending on the components used and the specific circumstances, a technician in the field will be able to select an appropriate way to achieve cross-linking of the silicone rubber mixture. In particular, the technician in the field will know how to select an appropriate way to induce cross-linking of the components in the mixture.

[0099] For example, it is possible to obtain cross-linking at room temperature, by heating the mixture (providing heat to a temperature between 120°C and 200°C for a time interval between 10 seconds and 120 seconds) or by UV rays.

[0100] First embodiment, not part of the present invention

[0101] The first embodiment is not part of the present invention and is characterized in that the electrically conductive silicone rubber cross-links after being applied to the fabric.

[0102] According to the first embodiment, the first composition comprises a siloxane containing hydride groups as the first crosslinking agent and a platinum catalyst. In particular, a siloxane containing hydride groups with the chemical name polydimethylsiloxane hydride (PDMS-H) with the chemical formula (Si(CH3)2O)n-SiH(CH3)-(Si(CH3)2O)m was used, and the Karstedt complex, a platinum complex stabilized with divinyl-tetramethyldisiloxane, was used as platinum catalyst. The general chemical formula of the Karstedt complex is [(CH2=CHSi(CH3)2O)]2Pt. In contrast, the second composition comprises polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the base and a siloxane containing vinyl groups as the second crosslinking agent.

[0103] In particular, polydimethylsiloxane sold by Nusil Technology under trade names MED-6215 and MED-6400 and the siloxane containing vinyl groups with the name Silastic® V, produced by Dow Inc., were used. Furthermore, the second composition comprises fumed silica as a filler agent and additional additives that may comprise one or more UV stabilizers, one or more release agents.

[0104] Possibly, the first composition and the second composition can be found ready-made on the market.

[0105] The first composition and the second composition are mixed with each other to give a silicone rubber mixture of liquid or semi-liquid consistency.

[0106] The components of the first composition and the second composition are selected so that their final percentage in the silicone rubber mixture is polydimethylsiloxane at 58% by weight, siloxane containing vinyl groups at 30% by weight, siloxane containing hydride groups at 5% by weight, fumed silica at 4.8% by weight, platinum catalyst at 0.1 % by weight, and additional additives at 0.1 % by weight. The weight percentage is calculated to the final total weight of the silicone rubber mixture.

[0107] Prior to mixing the first composition and the second composition, an electrically conductive agent, that is, one that is capable of conducting electric current when placed in an electric field, was added to the first composition.

[0108] In this embodiment, carbon nanotubes (a product with the name PLASTICYL™ by the company Nanocyl SA) were added at 2% by weight (calculated to the final total weight of the silicone rubber mixture).

[0109] Alternatively, it is possible to add carbon nanotubes to the second composition or to the silicone rubber mixture.

[0110] It would be appropriate to mix the silicone rubber mixture in such a way that the components, and especially the carbon nanotubes, are evenly dispersed in the mixture. The silicone rubber mixture is kept under stirring (is continuously stirred) at cold temperature so as to avoid that cross-linking of the reactants occurs earlier than it should.

[0111] To provide the T-shirt with a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber, an area is defined over which to pour the silicone rubber mixture obtained earlier.

[0112] This area may correspond, for example, to a strip of fabric extending along a longitudinal direction. However, it is obvious that it is possible to define an area of any shape.

[0113] Therefore, the silicone rubber mixture enriched with carbon nanotubes is applied at that area. Because the silicone rubber mixture has a liquid, or at least semi-liquid, consistency, it is able to penetrate the T-shirt fabric and soak the textile fibers. For example, for an area of fabric 10 cm long and 2 cm wide, it is possible to apply 7 grams of silicone rubber mixture.

[0114] However, it is sufficient to apply an amount of silicone rubber mixture so as to create a thin layer.

[0115] Once the silicone rubber mixture has been applied to the desired area of fabric, the silicone rubber mixture is cross-linked.

[0116] In this case, the cross-linking is induced by heating the layer of silicone rubber mixture applied on the T-shirt to 80°C for 60 seconds.

[0117] Regardless of whether or not it can contribute to the cross-linking of the silicone rubber, pressure was applied to the layer of silicone rubber mixture and to the fabric before heating the layer of silicone rubber mixture or during its heating, so that the silicone rubber mixture adequately penetrates the fabric fibers. This pressure is equal to 0.2 tons.

[0118] Once the silicone rubber mixture has solidified, a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber is obtained that is basically integrated into the fabric, that is, it is one with the fabric because it is integrated into the fibers of the fabric itself.

[0119] For example, in Figure 1 it is possible to observe precisely the presence of a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 10 on the T-shirt. This way, an electrically conductive fabric 1 is obtained.

[0120] Second embodiment, not part of the present invention

[0121] The second embodiment is not part of the present invention and is characterized in that a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber is obtained by UV-mediated cross-linking.

[0122] In this case, the first composition comprises a siloxane containing hydride groups as the first crosslinking agent and a photoinitiator. For example, a siloxane containing hydride groups with the chemical name polydimethylsiloxane hydride (PDMS-H) with the chemical formula (Si(CH3)2O)n- SiH(CH3)-(Si(CH3)2O)m was used and the TPO (trimethylbenzoin phosphine oxide) product, also known with the trade name Lucirin TPO, was used as the photoinitiator. In contrast, the second composition comprises polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the base and a siloxane containing vinyl groups as the second crosslinking agent.

[0123] In particular, polydimethylsiloxane sold by Nusil Technology under trade names MED-6215 and MED-6400 and the siloxane containing vinyl groups with the name Silastic® V, produced by Dow Inc., were used. Furthermore, the second composition comprises fumed silica as a filler agent and additional additives that may comprise one or more UV stabilizers, one or more release agents. For example, a UV stabilizer with the name Tinuvin 328 (benzotriazole) and fumed silica sold under the name CAB-O-SIL by Cabot Corporation were used.

[0124] Possibly, the first composition and the second composition can be found ready-made on the market.

[0125] The first composition and the second composition are mixed with each other to give a silicone rubber mixture of liquid or semi-liquid consistency.

[0126] The components of the first composition and the second composition are selected so that their final percentage in the silicone rubber mixture is polydimethylsiloxane at 37% by weight, siloxane containing vinyl groups at 29% by weight, siloxane containing hydride groups at 13% by weight, fumed silica at 10% by weight, photoinitiator at 0.5% by weight, and additional additives at 0.5% by weight. The weight percentage is calculated to the final total weight of the silicone rubber mixture.

[0127] Prior to mixing the first composition and the second composition, carbon nanotubes produced under the name PLASTICYL™ by the company Nanocyl SA equal to 2% by weight (calculated to the final total weight of the silicone rubber mixture) were added to the first composition. The preparation of the silicone rubber mixture enriched with carbon nanotubes and its application on the T-shirt correspond to what was described in the first embodiment.

[0128] As mentioned above, in this embodiment the silicone rubber mixture cross-links by UV light, in particular, by using light at a wavelength of 365 nm. Exposure to UV light occurs for about 30-60 seconds.

[0129] This way, it is possible to obtain an electrically conductive fabric.

[0130] Third embodiment, according to the present invention

[0131] According to a third embodiment implemented in accordance with the method according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an electrically conductive fabric in an alternative way to that described in relation to the previous embodiments.

[0132] In particular, the third embodiment differs from the previous ones in how the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber on the fabric is obtained.

[0133] Indeed, in this embodiment, the cross-linking of the silicone rubber mixture does not occur after it has been applied to the fabric, but rather before.

[0134] In particular, it is possible to make an electrically conductive fabric by preparing a silicone rubber mixture enriched with carbon nanotubes, as described in relation to the first embodiment. Subsequently, however, instead of applying this mixture to the fabric, a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber is made on a working surface by spreading the previously prepared silicone rubber mixture on that working surface.

[0135] For this purpose, the working surface can be provided with a hollow that acts as a mold into which the mixture is poured.

[0136] For example, 100 grams of mixture can be used to make a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 5 cm long and 2 cm wide.

[0137] Cross-linking can occur by heating the silicone rubber mixture as described in relation to the first embodiment.

[0138] Therefore, a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber about 1 mm thick is obtained.

[0139] At this point, attach that layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber to the T-shirt by sewing that layer to the T-shirt or by making use of an appropriate adhesive glue for fabrics, such as, for example, polyurethane adhesives (3M product 5200).

[0140] This makes it possible to obtain an electrically conductive fabric in which the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber is attached to the fabric itself.

[0141] It is clear that it is possible to obtain an electrically conductive fabric according to the third embodiment by making the silicone rubber mixture as described in relation to the second embodiment and obtaining cross-linking of the mixture of electrically conductive silicone rubber by UV rays.

[0142] In relation to the embodiments described above, a technician in the field will know how to make appropriate and adapt the method of making an electrically conductive fabric to specific needs, as described above.

[0143] For example, a technician in the field will know how to select appropriate components of the first composition and the second composition and their respective weight ratios by making use of the knowledge in the field of making silicone rubbers.

[0144] As conductive agents, it is possible to use, by way of example, carbon nanotubes between 0.1 % and 10% by weight (preferably 2% by weight), or graphene between 0.1 % and 15% by weight (preferably 2% by weight), carbon black between 10% and 40% by weight or a mixture thereof. These weight percentages are calculated to the total mass of the silicone rubber mixture. A technician in the field will know how to select an appropriate conductive agent with the respective weight percentage by making use of average knowledge in the field.

[0145] Electrically conductive fabric

[0146] The method allows obtaining an electrically conductive fabric 1 comprising: a fabric backing 100, and a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 10 placed next to at least one portion of the fabric backing 100.

[0147] This layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 10 comprises, as described above, an electrically conductive agent which makes such a silicone rubber layer capable of transmitting electric power when placed in an electric field.

[0148] This layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 10 can be attached to the fabric after being made (third embodiment, according to the present invention).

[0149] The layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber is basically an elastomer enriched with an electrically conductive agent.

[0150] This layer maintains its elastomeric properties, that is, once stretched with the fabric it returns to its initial shape.

[0151] Furthermore, at the same time, it has a network, or net / lattice of electrically conductive particles that allows electric power to be conducted from a first point of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber to a second point of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber, when subjected to an electric field.

[0152] For this reason, the fabric provided with such a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber can be identified as electrically conductive fabric.

[0153] In Figure 1 , a first point of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber and a second point of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber are denoted by references 2 and 3, respectively.

[0154] A device 4 is attached at these two points, which for example may be a multimeter.

[0155] Such a device 4 allows the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 10 to be subjected to an electric field and allows the electric resistance to the passage of electric current between points 2 and 3 to be measured.

[0156] The physical laws underlying this principle are known in the field and a technician in the field will therefore be able to rely on them.

[0157] For example, the resistance can be calculated as follows:

[0158] R= p*( / / A) where R is the resistance (ohm - Q), p is the average electric resistivity between the two points 2, 3, I is the distance between the two points 2, 3, and A is the area of the section perpendicular to the potential gradient.

[0159] Therefore, an electrically conductive fabric made according to the method described herein can be used to detect and / or measure one or more movements of a living organism, such as a human being or animal, or a mechanical component.

[0160] For this purpose, a first terminal and a second terminal of a device, such as a multimeter, arranged to detect and / or measure the electric resistance should be attached to the electrically conductive fabric. In practice, these terminals are attached to two separate points on the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber in such a way that when it undergoes an elongation due to movement of the electrically conductive fabric, the multimeter detects the change in electric resistance (basically the increase in resistance).

[0161] In particular, when the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber is elastically stretched, there is a partial breakdown of the network generated by the electrically conductive agent within it, which causes an increase in electric resistance.

[0162] Indeed, as a result of the elongation of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber, the particles of the electrically conductive agent move away from each other and are able to transmit the electric power supplied by the multimeter with less efficiency; this phenomenon is mainly responsible for the increase in the electric resistance measured as a result of the elongation of the fabric.

[0163] To this end, the following experimental tests were carried out.

[0164] Test 1

[0165] For this test, a conductive fabric was made according to the first embodiment described above, which is not part of the present invention. In practice, unless otherwise specified, an electrically conductive fabric has been made according to the first embodiment, which is not part of the present invention.

[0166] In particular, a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 5 cm long and 5 mm wide was made on a cotton fabric. The thickness of this layer is less than 0.1 mm. In connection with the fact that the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber has a rectangular shape, it is possible to define a longitudinal direction along the longer (5 cm) sides.

[0167] The two ends of a Fluke multimeter were placed 4.5 cm apart from each other.

[0168] At rest, that is, without applying any stretching force to the fabric, the electric resistance value measured with the multimeter was 45 Kohm.

[0169] By applying an elongation force to the fabric along the longitudinal direction, 1 cm elongation of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber shows up, which therefore resulted in the layer being 6 cm long.

[0170] Following this elongation, the resistance measured by the multimeter was 108 Kohm. In practice, as mentioned above, due to the elongation of the fabric, the network of the particles of electrically conductive agent breaks down to some extent and there is an increase in electric resistance.

[0171] Once the elongation force was ended, the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber returned to its initial length, and similarly, also did the electric resistance value.

[0172] Test 2

[0173] A further experimental test was performed by making an electrically conductive fabric according to the third embodiment, in accordance with the present invention. In practice, unless otherwise specified, an electrically conductive fabric has been made according to the third embodiment.

[0174] First, this was done by making a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber on a working surface.

[0175] This layer had a length of 5 cm and width of 5 mm. The thickness of this layer was 0.35 mm. In connection with the fact that the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber has a rectangular shape, it is possible to define a longitudinal direction along the longer (5 cm) sides.

[0176] The two ends of a Fluke multimeter were placed 4.5 cm apart from each other.

[0177] At rest, that is, without applying any stretching force to the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber, the electric resistance value measured with the multimeter was 12 Kohm.

[0178] By applying an elongation force to the layer along the longitudinal direction, 1 cm elongation of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber shows up, which therefore resulted in the layer being 6 cm long.

[0179] Following this elongation, the resistance measured by the multimeter was 48 Kohm. In practice, this test confirms that, due to the elongation of the fabric, the network of the particles of electrically conductive agent partially breaks down and there is an increase in electric resistance.

[0180] Once the elongation force was ended, the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber returned to its initial length, and similarly, also did the electric resistance value.

[0181] This behavior was confirmed by sewing this layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber to a cotton fabric.

[0182] At rest, that is, without applying any stretching force to the fabric, the electric resistance value measured with the multimeter was 12 Kohm.

[0183] By applying an elongation force to the fabric along the longitudinal direction, 1 cm elongation of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber shows up, which therefore resulted in the layer being 6 cm long.

[0184] Following this elongation, the resistance measured by the multimeter was 48 Kohm.

[0185] Once the elongation force was ended, the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber returned to its initial length, and similarly, also did the electric resistance value.

[0186] The measured values are the same as those measured before attaching the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber to the fabric: this shows that, once the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber is attached to a fabric, it does not change its properties.

[0187] Test 3

[0188] This experimental test was carried out similarly to what described in relation to test 1. The difference was that the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber had a length of 10 cm, a width of 7 mm and a thickness of less than 0.15 mm.

[0189] The ends of the FLUKE multimeter were placed on the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber at a distance of 9.5 cm from each other.

[0190] At rest, the resistance measured by the multimeter was 90.9 Kohm.

[0191] By stretching the fabric along the longitudinal direction by 1 cm, there is the increase in the electric resistance to 245.8 Kohm.

[0192] This experimental test also confirms what has been highlighted above, that is, as the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber is stretched, there is an increase in electric resistance.

[0193] Test 4

[0194] This experimental test was carried out according to test 1 .

[0195] In particular, a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber of circular shape, that is, 1 cm in diameter, was applied to the fabric.

[0196] The ends of the multimeter were applied at a distance of 0.8 mm from each other, placing them at opposite points of the circumference. It is possible to identify a straight line passing through these points that corresponds to a longitudinal direction.

[0197] At rest, the measure of the electric resistance measured with the multimeter was 15.3 Kohm.

[0198] By stretching the fabric 8 mm along the longitudinal direction, there was an increase in electric resistance, which amounted to 28.6 Kohm.

[0199] Overall, these experimental tests show that, regardless of the method of making the electrically conductive fabric and the shape of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber, the elongation of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber results in an increase in resistance to the passage of electric current.

[0200] Therefore, this characteristic can be used to define a method that, making use of an electrically conductive fabric, allows the displacement of a living being or mechanical component to which the fabric is applied to be detected and / or measured.

[0201] Method of detecting and / or measuring a movement

[0202] This method can be described with reference to Figure 1 , which, as mentioned above, shows a T-shirt and, in particular, an electrically conductive fabric 1 comprising fabric 100 and a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 10 applied to a portion of that fabric 100. There is also a device, such as a multimeter 4, provided with two terminals attached at a first point 2 and a second point 3 of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 10.

[0203] The electrically conductive fabric is made, for example, according to the first embodiment described above, which is not part of the present invention.

[0204] However, it is clear that it is possible to make a similar electrically conductive fabric by referring to the other embodiments described above and possible variations thereof.

[0205] According to what described above with reference to test 1 , the multimeter detects an increase in resistance if the electrically conductive silicone rubber layer 10 undergoes elongation.

[0206] Therefore, if the T-shirt is worn by a user in a gym, when he or she makes a movement that results in the elongation of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 10 (for example, during a chest training on the flat bench), the multimeter records an increase in electric resistance.

[0207] Since the increase in electric resistance is proportional to the elongation undergone by the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 10 (and to the degree to which the particle network of the electrically conductive agent breaks down), based on the electric resistance value provided by the multimeter, it is possible to trace the elongation undergone by the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 10 and, consequently, the amount of movement performed by the user.

[0208] Furthermore, it is possible to equip the device 4 with means to enable it to communicate remotely (for example, via a Bluetooth line) with a control device (a cell phone provided with an appropriate application).

[0209] In this case, the device 4 is able to send all values of the measured electric resistance to the control device, so as to allow the control device to recreate over time the degree of elongation of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 10 and, consequently, also the amount of movement made by the user wearing the T-shirt.

[0210] This could be useful to monitor training, record any progress and detect any errors in exercise execution (insufficient stretching of muscles).

[0211] To implement this method, it is necessary to make a calibration curve, or however, to establish a correlation between the degree of elongation of the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber 10 and the value of the measured electric resistance. This way, it is possible to measure a resistance value and trace back to the electric resistance value.

[0212] For example, Figure 2 shows a calibration curve showing a linear correlation between the elongation of a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber and the electric resistance value measured with a multimeter.

[0213] In particular, this calibration line was carried out by making use of an electrically conductive fabric where the backing is a cotton fabric and where the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber was applied according to the first embodiment described above.

[0214] In particular, the silicone rubber layer was 10 cm long and 1 cm wide, with a thickness of about 0.1 mm.

[0215] The multimeter used is from the Fluke company.

[0216] In particular, to make the calibration curve, the electric resistance was measured at rest (layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber not stretched), following 1 cm elongation, 2 cm elongation and 3 cm elongation. The corresponding values of measured electric resistance are as follows: about 230, 260, 280 Kohm.

[0217] Based on these data, the calibration curve was calculated, which, in this range, corresponds to a straight line.

[0218] Having calculated the calibration line, a user wearing a T-shirt provided with such a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber, in light of the values of the electric resistance measured by the multimeter and provided, for example, by the cell phone, could know the extent of movements performed during a physical exercise at such a layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber.

[0219] For example, if the multimeter reads a resistance of 250 Kohm, the user can derive that the fabric has stretched about 1.9 cm at the layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber.

[0220] It is possible to provide a T-shirt or a pair of leggings with multiple layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber placed at specific points corresponding to muscles of interest to the user and, based on the calibration line of each layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber, recreate the extent of movements performed.

[0221] It is clear that it is possible to apply this method to any garment or any fabric not only wearable by humans, but also applicable to animals or mechanical components.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for making an electrically conductive fabric (1 ), comprising the steps of: a) providing a fabric (100); b) mixing a first composition with a second composition, thus obtaining a silicone rubber mixture, said first composition comprising a first crosslinking agent and a catalyst and said second composition comprising a base and a second crosslinking agent, wherein an electrically conductive agent is added to one or more of: said first composition, said second composition, said silicone rubber mixture, characterized in that it comprises a step c) of spreading said silicone rubber mixture made in step b) on a working surface, cross-linking such silicone rubber mixture on said working surface thus obtaining one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10) and attaching said one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10) to said fabric (100) thus obtaining an electrically conductive fabric (1 ).

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein said first crosslinking agent is between 4% and 6% by weight, said catalyst is between 0.001 % and 10% by weight, said second crosslinking agent is between 5% and 35% by weight, said electrically conductive agent is between 0.1 % and 40% by weight, and said base is the remainder up to 100% in said silicone rubber mixture.

3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein- the base is polydimethylsiloxane PDMS;- said first crosslinking agent is selected from one or more of: siloxanes containing hydride side-groups, siloxanes containing vinyl side- and end- groups, siloxanes containing phenyl side-groups, siloxanes containing trifluoropropyl side-groups, and- correspondingly, the second crosslinking agent is selected from one or more of: siloxanes containing hydride side-groups, siloxanes containing vinylside- and end-groups, siloxanes containing phenyl side-groups, siloxanes containing trifluoropropyl side-groups.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said electrically conductive agent is selected from: metal particles, fibers or inorganic particles provided with a metal coating, carbon compounds, or a combination thereof.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein said metal particles are selected from: iron particles, copper particles, aluminum particles, nickel particles, silver particles, gold particles, palladium particles in spherical or fibril form, or a combination thereof.

6. Method according to claim 4, wherein the carbon compounds are selected from: carbon black, graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes, or a combination thereof.

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the carbon nanotubes are between 0.1 and 15% by weight, graphene is between 0.1 and 15% by weight, carbon black is between 10 and 40% by weight in the silicone rubber mixture.

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said catalyst is selected from: a platinum catalyst, a peroxide catalyst, a benzoyl peroxide catalyst, a 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane peroxide catalyst, a tin-based catalyst, or a photoinitiator.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the platinum catalyst is between 0.001 % and 0.1 % by weight, the tin-based catalyst is between 0.05% and 2% by weight, the peroxide-based catalyst is between 0.5% and 5% and the photoinitiator is between 0.1 % and 8% by weight in the silicone rubber mixture.

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said silicone rubber mixture has a liquid, or semi-solid, consistency prior to crosslinking occurring during step c).

11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fabric (100) is made of, or comprises, cotton, nonwoven fabric, acrylic, Lycra, wool, nylon, polyester, silk, Tencel, Viscolycra, viscose.

12. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in step c) said silicone rubber mixture cross-links: by heating said silicone rubber mixture to a temperature between 120°C and 200°C for a time interval between 10 and 120 seconds, or by exposing said silicone rubber mixture to UV light for a time interval between 10 seconds and 5 minutes.

13. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in step c) said one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10) are attached to said fabric (100) by means of an adhesive or by sewing.

14. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said electrically conductive fabric (1 ) is provided with at least one device (4) suitable for generating an electric field and to measure the electric resistance of said one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10) and wherein, for each of said one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10), a first terminal of said at least one device (4) is applied to a first portion (2) of said layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10), and a second terminal of said at least one device (4) is applied to a second portion (3) of said layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10) other than the first portion.

15. An electrically conductive fabric (1 ) comprising a fabric backing (100) and one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10) applied to one or more corresponding portions of said fabric backing (100), said one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10) comprising a silicone rubber enriched with an electrically conductive agent, wherein said one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10) are attached to said fabric backing (100) by means of an adhesive substance and / or by means of stitches.

16. Electrically conductive fabric (1 ) according to claim 15, made according to the method of claims 1 -15.

17. Electrically conductive fabric (1 ) according to claims 15 or 16, configurable in:- a first relaxed, or resting configuration, corresponding to said fabricbacking (100) not extended, and- at least one second elongated, or extended, configuration corresponding to said fabric backing (100) elongated, or extended, in response to a force applied to said fabric backing (100) by a living organism or mechanical component during a movement, wherein, in response to the application of an electric field to said one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10), said first configuration corresponds to a first value of electric resistance and said at least one second configuration corresponds to a second value of electric resistance greater than the first value of electric resistance.

18. A garment provided with one or more portions comprising an electrically conductive fabric (1 ) according to claims 15-17.

19. A method of detecting and / or measuring a movement of a living organism or mechanical component, comprising the steps of: d) providing an electrically conductive fabric (1 ) according to claims 15- 17; e) applying, to said electrically conductive fabric (1 ) at least one device (4) suitable for generating an electric field and for measuring the electric resistance of said one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10) and wherein, for each of said one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10), a first terminal of said at least one device (4) is applied to a first portion (2) of said layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10), and a second terminal of said at least one device (4) is applied to a second portion (3) of said layer of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10) other than the first portion; f) for each of said one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber, creating a calibration curve by correlating two or more elongation values of said electrically conductive fabric (1 ) with corresponding electric resistance values measured with said device (4); g) applying said electrically conductive fabric (1 ) to a living organism ormechanical component; h) during the movement of said living organism or said mechanical component, for each of said one or more layers of electrically conductive silicone rubber (10), detecting, by means of said at least one device (4), one or more electric resistance values and deriving the corresponding elongation values of said electrically conductive fabric (10) by using the calibration curve created in step f) so as to detect and / or measure a movement of a living organism or mechanical component.

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