We present an overview of photonic textile displays woven on a Jacquard loom, using newly discovered polymer photonic bandgap (PBG) fibers that have the ability to change color and appearance when illuminated with ambient or transmitted light. The photonic fiber can be thin (smaller than 300 microns in diameter) and highly flexible, which makes it possible to weave in the weft on a computerized Jacquard loom and develop intricate double weave structures together with a secondary weft yarn. We demonstrate how PBG fibers enable a variety of color and structural patterns on the textile, and how dynamic imagery can be created by balancing the reflected ambient light and emitted light. Finally, a possible application in security wear for low visibility conditions is described as an example.

No abstract