Electronic textiles are an expanding field, yet their sustainability challenges demand urgent attention. Recent research highlights the broader inclusion of biomaterials to reduce their environmental impact. This has opened up new functionalities by combining biomaterial properties, textile techniques, and electronics. Nevertheless, an underexplored aspect is their aesthetic dimension, which plays a critical role in the user’s experience with them. To address this gap, we created a collection of five bio-based eTextiles artefacts and introduced them to participants in an aesthetics-focused user study.

The development of functional fibres, active materials, and flexible electrical components has introduced new ways of embedding interactive capabilities within textiles. However, this seamless integration poses challenges in terms of materials, disassembly, and disposal, revealing an urgent need to address the issue of sustainability when creating new electronic textiles. Authors have proposed eco-design guidelines that emphasise the use of renewable and biodegradable materials. Despite these recommendations, the potential of biomaterials in eTextiles remains largely unexplored. This integrative literature review showcases how biomaterials emerged as catalysts for expanding possibilities within eTextiles and HCI, not only through their environmental sustainability but also through their dynamic and transformative nature, fostering a realm of novel interactive experiences. We suggest the potential of developing fully bio-based eTextile systems, the need for broader sustainability and aesthetic studies, the relevance of DIY methods, and the urgency of textile knowledge integration.

The development of smart textiles with interactive capabilities has introduced new ways to embed functional fibers, electrically active materials, and electrical components within textiles. Nevertheless, this ubiquitous integration will bring challenges regarding materials resources and their disposal. To seek bio-based alternatives for the current unsustainable components, the present work explores the integration of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) optical waveguides into yarn structures to create textile-based optical sensors.

Electronic Textiles (eTextiles) and open source material has been entangled with “DIY” movements and hands on work to create new interactive interfaces. Studies have shown the potential these have to bring computational knowledge closer to new audiences. We address how eTextiles can approach a traditional textile art, specifically “Arpilleras” from Chile, to understand how each field contributes from a symbolic, material and technical perspective. Following participatory approach methods and STEAM guidelines to create an educational program, we observed how eTextiles can influence the creation of soft interactive interfaces that enhance the communicative character and cultural heritage of a craft, and the potential of their use in a pedagogical context by using a specially designed kit. Our study suggests that connecting technology with strong cultural identity craft, can help to reach new audiences, revitalize the traditional technique, and create new tools for expression and creativity.