2026年2月托福机经套卷(第3套) - Read an Academic Passage Q2

Smart Textiles Smart textiles are revolutionizing the fashion industry by integrating advanced digital technology into fabrics. These textiles can respond to environmental changes, monitor physical activity, and even generate energy. One example is phase-change materials that adapt to temperature fluctuations, providing warmth when it's cold and cooling when it's hot. Another innovation is textiles embedded with sensors that track health metrics, such as heart rate and body temperature. These developments offer promising applications for athletes and medical patients. Researchers are also exploring textiles that harvest energy from movement. These fabrics utilize piezoelectric materials that generate electricity when subjected to mechanical stress. Envision clothing that can charge your smartphone simply through your daily activities. Moreover, smart textiles can be designed to change color or pattern based on electrical stimuli, opening up new possibilities for both fashion and interior design. Yet, integrating technology into textiles presents challenges. Durability, washability, and cost are significant concerns. Since their initial cost will be higher than traditional fabrics, ensuring that smart textiles can withstand regular use without degrading is essential for their widespread adoption. Protecting privacy is another concern of many; smart textiles could collect vast amounts of user data that must be properly secured.