Fabric technology uses electricity to battle microbes

Kyoto, Japan – A pair of Japanese companies have jointly developed a piezoelectric fabric that generates electrical energy, which in turn can kill microbes when the wearer is in motion.

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and Teijin Frontier Co. Ltd. jointly developed the fabric, called Pieclex. Pieclex, which is expected to have applications ranging from clothing and sportswear to filters and sanitary materials such as masks, achieves antimicrobial performance by converting human movement into electrical energy. Piecelex uses plant-derived polylactic acid (PLA) as its raw material.

The fabric generates electricity by using the expansion and contraction produced by human movement, which enables the antimicrobial and deodorant functions without using chemical agents or organic solvents.

“The fabric developed by the newly established Pieclex Co. Ltd. makes use of Murata’s piezoelectric technology and knowledge cultivated through products such as SAW filters, resonators and sensors,” explained Tsuneo Murata, president and chairman of the board. “To the present, Murata has contributed mainly in the field of electronic equipment, and I am very happy that this combination with Teijin Frontier’s fabric technology will let us challenge the creation of new value in the field of fabrics.”

“Pieclex integrates Murata and Teijin Frontier’s cutting-edge technologies, and I believe this innovative fabric will be essential for sustainable future lifestyle,” said Shinji Nikko, Teijin president and CEO.