Terrorism has become an integral part of everyday life in recent years and has dramatically affected the quality of life for individuals in society. Technology is the key to combating terrorism and protecting ordinary citizens, first responders and soldiers, among others, from danger. The area of intelligent or smart textiles is a rather new but rapidly emerging discipline with a high potential for payoff in the fight against terrorism.

This Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) was organized to fill the critical need to bring together the leading experts in the field to make an in-depth assessment of existing knowledge in the area of intelligent (smart) textiles for personal protection and safety, and to identify directions for future research. An important outcome or “deliverable” of the Workshop has been the “Research Roadmap” for the future in keeping with NATO's goals for the ARW program. This first-of-its-kind ARW in this field also provided a forum for young scientists and engineers to interact closely with the invited experts and participate in developing the Research Roadmap that is expected to advance this emerging discipline through collaborative research between NATO and Partner countries.

This book contains the papers presented by the Invited Speakers at the ARW. Each chapter in the book provides an in-depth assessment of one particular facet of this emerging discipline. The chapters build on each other further reflecting the integrated and interdisciplinary theme underlying the ARW.

As Co-Directors, we would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to all who contributed to the success of the ARW: to NATO for the generous grant; to the fellow members of the Organizing Committee, viz., Professor Danilo De Rossi of the University of Pisa, Italy, Professor Lieva Van Langenhove of Ghent University, Belgium, and Ms. Sungmee Park of the Georgia Institute of Technology, USA; to Dr. Carla Hertleer of Ghent University, Belgium, for her help during the ARW planning stage; to Ms. Judith Kenis, Ghent University, Belgium, for coordinating the logistics that resulted in a productive and enjoyable ARW; to the Invited Speakers, Participants and Discussion Leaders for providing the stimulating intellectual content of the ARW; again to Ms. Sungmee Park for her extensive help in the preparation of this book for publication; and finally, to the IOS Press staff for their assistance in the timely production of the book.

Sundaresan Jayaraman, Paul Kiekens, Ana Marija Grancaric

December 2005