Intelligent Couture
By Hannah Isom
It’s that time of year again, when the transition from summer to endless winter calls for a whole new wardrobe (OK maybe that’s just me). However this season, a new range of “intelligent textiles” promises to revolutionise the way we think about clothes forever .
Researchers across Europe are frantically working to develop the next generation of clothing, that will perform a range of functions to enhance our lives. The research is part of the Lisbon Strategy, which aims to steer Europe toward a knowledge-based economy.
Certain “Cosmetotextiles” have already made it to the market including moisturising tights, which contain microcapsules that burst when worn to nourish the skin with creamy moisturiser. Other examples of these aesthetically weighted creations are fabrics that absorb odours, regulate perspiration and even resist stains from spills - perfect for those ketchup-based disasters!
There are other applications of this technology that may do more for the good of mankind than making us smell nice, like pullovers which have an electronic keypad, much like a calculator, sewn into the sleeve. These jumpers have potential for disabled users to use the keypad as a controller for a garage door or television set. Scientists can even weave optical fibres into knitwear, to create illuminated garments, perfect for keeping cyclists safe in the dark, or just looking groovy on the dance floor.
The foreseeable future holds even more possibilities. It is already possible for scientists to produce clothing capable of measuring certain bodily functions such as breathing or heart rate which could have all kinds of medical applications. I guess it brings new meaning to the phrase “wearing your heart on your sleeve”.
For more information visit our buddies at Context (they also supplied the pic, so be nice to them).
To read more about Hannah or to view more of her articles click here.
Researchers across Europe are frantically working to develop the next generation of clothing, that will perform a range of functions to enhance our lives. The research is part of the Lisbon Strategy, which aims to steer Europe toward a knowledge-based economy.
Certain “Cosmetotextiles” have already made it to the market including moisturising tights, which contain microcapsules that burst when worn to nourish the skin with creamy moisturiser. Other examples of these aesthetically weighted creations are fabrics that absorb odours, regulate perspiration and even resist stains from spills - perfect for those ketchup-based disasters!
There are other applications of this technology that may do more for the good of mankind than making us smell nice, like pullovers which have an electronic keypad, much like a calculator, sewn into the sleeve. These jumpers have potential for disabled users to use the keypad as a controller for a garage door or television set. Scientists can even weave optical fibres into knitwear, to create illuminated garments, perfect for keeping cyclists safe in the dark, or just looking groovy on the dance floor.
The foreseeable future holds even more possibilities. It is already possible for scientists to produce clothing capable of measuring certain bodily functions such as breathing or heart rate which could have all kinds of medical applications. I guess it brings new meaning to the phrase “wearing your heart on your sleeve”.
For more information visit our buddies at Context (they also supplied the pic, so be nice to them).
To read more about Hannah or to view more of her articles click here.
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