Functions in Smart Clothing can be implemented by passive or active processes:

Heat and Temperature

• Flame retardance
• Fire Protection
• Heat storage and release
• Heat insulation

Mechanical

• Impact resistance/ballistic protection
• Mechanical shear resistance

Moisture and water

• Breathing fabrics
• Self cleaning - superhydrophobic

Visibility

• Decreased visibility (camouflage, IR emission, super black)
• Increased visibility (retroreflectors)
• Colour changing (light, temperature)

Electrical

• Electrically conducting textiles
• Anti-static
• EMF barriers

Biological & Noxious

• Anti-bacterial behaviour
• Anti-chemical behaviour
• Insect repellent

Weathering

• UV resistant
• Self cleaning - UV stain breakdown

Heat and Temperature

• Change insulation properties of clothing depending on body temperature/external temperature
• Heat or cool inside of the clothing depending on body temperature/outside temperature
• Measure external temperature/radiant heat hazard to show alarm
• Alter garment to enhance protection against external temperature/radiant heat

Mechanical

• Provide sensors capable of predicting incipient mechanical trauma, detecting ongoing mechanical trauma
• Active protection against mechanical trauma (e.g. clothing airbags, stiffening clothing etc)
• Active protection against ballistics – e.g. reactive armour

Moisture and Water

• Detect external water threat
• Actively protect against water ingress e.g. change hydrophobicity, porosity
• Actively protect against drowning (e.g. deploy floats)
• Collect and recycle body fluids, e.g. sweat, urine

Visibility and Displays

• Switch lights on and off on the clothing
• Show information on external surface of clothing for protection and communication

Electrical

• Detect electrical activity on the body
• Stimulate the body with electrical activity
• Conduct power or data around the clothing

Biological & Noxious

• Detect external noxious or explosive gases
• Detect external microbial hazards in near real time
• Provide active methods to protect against toxic gases, toxins or pathogens

Vital Signs

• Measure such things as body temperature, heart rate, breathing rate , level of oxygenation, brain activity, reliably  even when vigorously moving
• Measure complex bioanalytical parameters in real time
• Provide ongoing real-time imaging of internal organs

Power

• Store enough power for system performance
• Generate power from external sources such as solar power
• Generate power from wearer such as body heat, movements

Communications

• Integrate high quality, low power, long range wireless communications with other devices
• provide textile integrated antennae