Do you sometimes forget your password? Who doesn’t? You might not have to worry about remembering that cryptic chain of letters, numbers and symbols for much longer if new research proves successful.
Scientists are working on a fabric that uses magnetized thread to store such information in your shirt or even a bracelet. Unlike the smart fabrics that are on the market today, these won’t rely on electronics or batteries, which means they’ll be more functional, durable, and best of all, washable.
The researchers also embroidered a pair of gloves with magnetized thread and found that a nearby smartphone could measure gestures like finger swipes and taps by looking at changes in the magnetic field as the gesture was performed.
It will be years before any product using the technology is brought to market. We’ll update you, as always, on new development