Developer of sensor-laden smart fabrics BeBop Sensors has raised additional funding through a convertible note, founder Keith McMillen told MedCityNews, adding that this round is still open. The company will use the new capital to advance fabric research and improve fabric production facilities.

“Funds will also be used to produce numerous prototypes in several markets including consumer safety, health and automotive,” McMillen said.

One healthcare application of BeBop’s technology is the use of sensor embedded insoles to measure gait. The company also envisions applying its pressure sensors to hospital bed sheets to track “patient handling.”

Smart fabric research is deemed a hot area these days with even the U.S. Department of Defense joining the market with a manufacturing innovation institute to develop cutting edge fabrics and new approaches to textiles manufacturing. The army is looking to explore working with fibers and yarns to integrate circuits, LEDs, solar cells, to create fabrics that can communicate, store energy, regulate temperature, monitor health, and change color.

According to a Form D filing on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website, BeBop Sensors has raised more than $4.4 million to date.