Increasing production of intelligent fabrics will create added value markets in the domestic textile and apparel industries. Passive intelligent fabrics, which react to environmental conditions, frequently contain optical fiber sensors that measure strain, temperature, displacement, chemical concentration, acceleration, pressure, electric current, and/or magnetic fields. Active intelligent fabrics, which sense and react to environmental conditions or stimuli, have sensors and actuators that act upon the detected signal directly or from a central control unit. Examples of active intelligent fabrics include shape memory materials, waterproof textiles, and textiles that change color within a specific temperature region. Very intelligent fabrics, which sense, react, and adapt to environmental conditions, combine sensors and actuators with advanced processing technology communication and artificial intelligence. Applications of very intelligent fabrics include space suits and wearable computers. Future applications include health care suits, heat insulating apparel, mood apparel, military uniforms and protective clothing, parachutes, medulla blankets, and sports apparel. 9 refs.