Academic literature on the topic 'Smart garments'

Wireless power transfer (WPT) technologies have been adopted by many products. The capability of charging multiple devices and the design flexibility of charging coils make WPT a good solution for charging smart garments. The use of an embroidered receiver (RX) coil makes the smart garment more breathable and comfortable than using a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). In order to charge smart garments as part of normal daily routines, two types of wireless-charging systems operating at 400 kHz have been designed. The one-to-one hanger system is desired to have a constant charging current despite misalignment so that users do not need to pay much attention when they hang the garment. For the one-to-multiple-drawer system, the power delivery ability must not change with multiple garments. Additionally, the system should be able to charge folded garments in most of the folding scenarios. This paper analyses the two WPT systems for charging smart garments and provides design approaches to meet the abovementioned goals. The wireless-charging hanger is able to charge a smart garment over a coupling variance kmaxkmin=2 with only 21% charging current variation. The wireless-charging drawer is able to charge a smart garment with at least 20 mA under most folding scenarios and three garments with stable power delivery ability.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a computer-aided design software for smart garments. Design/methodology/approach A circuit design software with graphical user interface and an automatic Arduino code generator has been developed. Findings Complex circuit design for smart garment can be performed using an intuitive graphical user interface. Sophisticated C codes for activating the smart garment can be generated without in-depth knowledge of C language and electronic devices. Research limitations/implications Circuit wiring is performed manually. Further work will be focused on the generation of an algorithm that can find the overlap-free design of complex circuit. Practical implications Smart garments with complex functions are expected to be designed more easily without in-depth knowledge of electronic circuits and computer programming. Social implications Researchers of smart garment will be able to concentrate on the actual function of smart garments rather than coding the complex C programs. Originality/value This is the first computer-aided smart garment design software that can not only design the circuit but also generate the computer codes.

IntroductionWith the advancements in wearable electronics, electronically integrated smart garments started to transpire in our daily lives. Smart garment technologies are incorporated into sportswear applications to enhance the well-being and performance of athletes. Smart garments applications in the sports sector are increasing, and the variety of smart garment applications available in the literature is overwhelming. Therefore, it is essential to compare the vast array of technologies incorporated in smart garments for athletes to understand the knowledge gaps for future studies. The protocol paper aims to examine the smart garments used in the sports domain to enhance the health and well-being of athletes.Methods and analysisRelevant studies will be retrieved using predefined search terms from Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed and IEEE Xplore. The retrieved articles will be eliminated in two phases: title and abstract screening and full-text screening. The included articles will be primary studies published in the English language within the last 10 years. Subsequently, the included articles will be further studied to extract data using a data extraction form. The extracted data will undergo a thematic analysis. Also, quantitative analysis will be carried out using descriptive statistics.Ethics and disseminationThe results of this review will provide a comprehensive understanding of smart garment concepts used in the sports domain. The findings of this scoping review will be shared through a journal publication and a conference presentation. Ethical approval is not needed for this scoping review.Protocol registration numberDOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/34MF2 (https://osf.io/34mf2)

A smart mannequin with the dimension of a standard female body was used for measuring garment pressure. Compression garments made from five kinds of elastic knitted fabrics which are purchased commercially. Results showed that the pressure distributions exhibited obvious differences were varied, and the elongation caused pressure variations among the specimens. This smart mannequin system provides a novel tool for evaluating the pressure performance of compression garments, and give reliable data for functional product development.

Priority has been giving to smart garment materials in modern textile clothing industries. The definition of smart garment material can be described as the material which has the sensory capacity to the stimulation of the surroundings or the environmental elements and can make responses accordingly and meanwhile, maintain the typical features and garment functions. Sensory capacity, feedback and response are the three main elements of the smart garment material. Five relative mature and widely used smart materials, including shape memory materials, waterproof and moisture permeable materials, temperature adaptable materials, photo chromic and thermo chromic materials, and electronic materials, were thoroughly reviewed in terms of concept, theory and up-to-date applications. The aim was to give an overview to national garment designers and manufacturers in China and to explore the potential of developing smart garments for the national market.

After more than three years of implementing the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), its effects on Vietnam's economy, particularly within the textile and garment sector, have become increasingly apparent. Analyzing the impact of the EVFTA on garment exports to Germany is critical, as Germany constitutes a significant and high-potential market for Vietnamese products. Utilizing the SMART model, the study indicates that the trade creation effect accounts for 64% of the total impact, while trade diversion effects contribute 36%. These findings underscore the competitive pricing advantage of Vietnamese garments compared to EU domestic products, driven by reduced export tariffs to 0% under the EVFTA. Based on the results, the authors propose some policy recommendations to optimize the agreement's benefits and further enhance the export performance of Vietnamese garments in the German market.

This review aims to understand the different technologies incorporated into lower limbs wearable smart garments and their impact on post-exercise recovery. Electronic searches were conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane electronic databases. Eligibility criteria considered meta-analyses that examined the effects of wearable smart garments on physical fitness in healthy male and female adults. Seven meta-analyses were considered in the current umbrella review, indicating small effects on delayed-onset muscle soreness ([0.40–0.43]), rate of perceived exertion (0.20), proprioception (0.49), anaerobic performance (0.27), and sprints ([0.21–0.37]). The included meta-analyses also indicated wearable smart garments have trivial to large effects on muscle strength and power ([0.14–1.63]), creatine kinase ([0.02–0.44]), lactate dehydrogenase (0.52), muscle swelling (0.73), lactate (0.98) and aerobic pathway (0.24), and endurance (0.37), aerobic performance (0.60), and running performance ([0.06–6.10]). Wearing wearable smart garments did not alter the rate of perceived exertion and had a small effect on delayed-onset muscle soreness. Well-fitting wearable smart garments improve comfort and kinesthesia and proprioception and allow a reduction in strength loss and muscle damage after training and power performance following resistance training or eccentric exercise.

Today's clothes are passive items that we wear, visually interesting, but otherwise silent. What if our clothes could generate data and connect directly to the digital world? What if these clothes could generate sufficient data to drive data hungry artificial intelligence (AI) techniques such as deep learning? This would enable smart apparel that could coach you at a sport, or monitor your health, or just help you look after your clothes. In this study, we describe a data generating sports top that can be the basis of a smart coach. The construction of the garment and its use of low-cost sensors and wireless transmission of data is described. Its use for measuring the upper body pose to analyze the bowling action of cricketers is demonstrated, along with considerations of how this could be a basis for combining smart garments and AI.

Technology has become ubiquitous, it is all around us and is becoming part of us. Together with the rise of the Internet-of-Things (IoT) paradigm and enabling technologies (e.g., Augmented Reality (AR), Cyber-Physical Systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain or edge computing), smart wearables and IoT-based garments can potentially have a lot of influence by harmonizing functionality and the delight created by fashion. Thus, smart clothes look for a balance among fashion, engineering, interaction, user experience, cybersecurity, design and science to reinvent technologies that can anticipate needs and desires. Nowadays, the rapid convergence of textile and electronics is enabling the seamless and massive integration of sensors into textiles and the development of conductive yarn. The potential of smart fabrics, which can communicate with smartphones to process biometric information such as heart rate, temperature, breathing, stress, movement, acceleration, or even hormone levels, promises a new era for retail. This article reviews the main requirements for developing smart IoT-enabled garments and shows smart clothing potential impact on business models in the medium-term. Specifically, a global IoT architecture is proposed, the main types and components of smart IoT wearables and garments are presented, their main requirements are analyzed and some of the most recent smart clothing applications are studied. In this way, this article reviews the past and present of smart garments in order to provide guidelines for the future developers of a network where garments will be connected like other IoT objects: the Internet-of-Smart-Clothing.

In recent years, the 3D design software has been mostly used to improve the garment design process by generating virtual 3D garment prototypes. Many researchers have been working on the development of 3D virtual garment prototypes using 3D body models and involving the 3D human body scanning in different postures. The focus of research in this field today relies on generating a kinematic 3D body model for the purposes of developing the individualized garments, the exploration of which is presented in this paper. The discussed area is also implemented in the Erasmus+ project OptimTex - Software tools for textile creatives, which is fully aligned with the new trends propelled by the digitization of the whole textile sector. The Slovenian module focuses on presenting the needs of digitization for the development of individualized garments by using different software tools: 3D Sense, PotPlayer, Meshroom, MeshLab, Blender and OptiTex. The module provides four examples: 3D human body scanning using 3D photogrammetry, 3D human body modelling and reconstruction, construction of a kinematic 3D body model and 3D virtual prototyping of individualized smart garments, and thus displays the entire process for the needs of 3D virtual prototyping of individualized garments. In the OptimTex project, the 3D software Blender was used to demonstrate and teach students how to construct the "armature" of the human body as an object for rigging or the virtual skeleton for a 3D kinematic body model, using the knee as an example.

Smart textiles especially Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are getting attention because these materials can provide regulation of wearer’s body climate and provide comfort in the temperature fluctuations during the physical activity like sports. These materials have the advantage of latent heat energy storage that can absorb and release high amount of energy over a narrow temperature range around the human’s body temperature to provide thermal comfort. Phase Change Materials (PCMs) absorb energy during the heating process as phase change takes place and release energy to the surroundings during the reverse cooling process. The types of phase change materials that are suitable for sports applications are hydrated inorganic salts, linear long chain hydrocarbons, Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG). The concept of thermal comfort and working of PCMs in the textiles garments are important for determining the functionality of PCMs. Phase Change materials are micro capsulated in the shells by “Situ polymerization technique before application to sportswear and garments. The PCMs microcapsules are incorporated in the sportswear and garments by fiber technology, lamination, foaming and coating. The testing of clothing containing micro capsulated PCMs is discussed after the incorporation of PCMs in textiles. Quality parameters that are key for getting good results are mentioned i.e. particle size, thermal conductivity, fire hazard treatment, durability and performance of micro capsulated PCMs and clothing. In the last section findings, suggestions and conclusion are discussed.<br>Program: Magisterutbildning i Applied Textile Management

Active ageing is presented as a potential panacea for the challenges faced due to population ageing. Work presented in this Thesis improves the integration and evaluation of sensor technology, embedded within a clothing system, designed specifically for the active ageing. A review of wearable sensors highlighted issues involving sensor integration, placement, validation and the effects of body shape and size as key challenges. These issues guided the focus of four studies within the Thesis. A study assessing the effect placing an accelerometer within clothing had on step count accuracy has been undertaken. Results demonstrated that a reliable step-count can be achieved from accelerometers placed within clothing at the sternum, waist or lower back. Subsequently, an investigation into the optimal location of an accelerometer to classify a range of everyday activities was perfonned. Results demonstrated data from the hip as the best single location to perfonn activity recognition. Following on from this, 3D body scanning was used to assess the effect of adiposity on the accuracy of step count obtained from an accelerometer. This study established that neither BMI, waist circumference nor ABVol had an effect on step count accuracy obtained from an accelerometer placed at the chest, waist or lower back. This adds clarity to the current inconsistencies within the literature. Considering a different fonn of sensor technology, the perfonnance of textile electrodes, integrated within custom fitted garments was investigated. Performance tests indicated that the custom garments did not perform accurately during tasks which included movement of the arms and torso. The performance during these tasks, did, however, vary considerably between subjects. The incorporation of these findings within the design of smart garments will help to ensure that wearable sensors and systems meet their potential, particularly in the role of supporting the health and wellbeing of an active ageing society.

Wearable sensors and systems have become increasingly popular for diverse applications. An emerging technology for physical activity assessment is Smart Textile Systems (STSs), comprised of sensitive/actuating fiber, yarn, or fabric that can sense an external stimulus. All required components of an STS (sensors, electronics, energy supply, etc.) can be conveniently embedded into a garment, providing a fully textile-based system. Thus, STSs have clear potential utility for measuring health-relevant aspects of human activity, and to do so passively and continuously in diverse environments. For these reasons, STSs have received increasing interest in recent studies. Despite this, however, limited evidence exists to support the implementation of STSs during diverse applications. Our long-term goal was to assess the feasibility and accuracy of using an STS to monitor human activities. Our immediate objective was to investigate the accuracy of an STS in three representative applications with respect to occupational scenarios, healthcare, and activities of daily living. A particular STS was examined, consisting of a smart socks (SSs), using textile pressure sensors, and smart undershirt (SUS), using textile strain sensors. We also explored the relative merits of these two approaches, separately and in combination. Thus, five studies were completed to design and evaluate the usability of the smart undershirt, and investigate the accuracy of implementing an STS in the noted applications. Input from the SUS led to planar angle estimations with errors on the order of 1.3 and 9.4 degrees for the low-back and shoulder, respectively. Overall, individuals preferred wearing a smart textile system over an IMU system and indicated the former as superior in several aspects of usability. In particular, the short-sleeved T-shirt was the most preferred garments for an STS. Results also indicated that the smart shirt and smart socks, both individually and in combination, could detect occupational tasks, abnormal and normal gaits, and activities of daily living with greater than 97% accuracy. Based on our findings, we hope to facilitate future work that more effectively quantifies sedentary periods that may be deleterious to human health, as well as detect activity types that may be help or hinder health and fitness. Such information may be of use to individuals and workers, healthcare providers, and ergonomists. More specifically, further analyses from this investigation could provide strategies for: (a) modifying a sedentary lifestyle or work scenario to a more active one, and (b) helping to more accurately identify occupational injury risk factors associated with human movement.<br>PHD

Tese de Doutoramento em Engenharia Têxtil<br>Pressure ulcers (PUs), ischemic lesions caused mainly by pressure, are a major health concern. Their high incidence, combined with difficulties in treatment, make PUs not only a tremendous issue for patients, but also one of the most time-consuming and expensive situations for health professionals. Preventive techniques are not efficient enough in reducing the incidence of PUs, with the additional disadvantage of most being extremely expensive. One way of increasing their effectiveness is by using textiles to manage risk variables and by integrating sensors that monitor them to aid health professionals in preventing PUs. These pressure-sensing textiles, such as pyjamas or mattress covers, could incorporate an alarm system for professionals and patients alike to detect excessive pressure, temperature, and humidity, and act accordingly. These, along with developing a testing pipeline for such devices, are the overall goals of this work – to manufacture a smart garment using textiles capable of managing pressure, temperature, and humidity, and to integrate sensors that can measure these variables and relay them to an outside device. This information can then be used by either the patient or caregiver, enabling them to implement techniques, such as repositioning, which can prevent the development of PUs. In order to achieve these goals, three groups of textiles (mattress covers, clothing, and bed sheets) were submitted to a number of tests to determine their suitability in managing pressure, temperature, and humidity. The best material in the Clothing Group was used to manufacture two types of pyjama, a single and a two-piece. Both were designed to ensure that no seams or zippers were placed on the back and sides, to prevent pressure points that could lead to discomfort and PUs. Moreover, all zippers were enclosed to prevent rubbing against the skin, which could jeopardize skin integrity and lead to PUs. Finally, the number and placement of zippers was intended to allow mobile patients to dress and undress independently, as well as to aid any health professionals in their daily tasks, such as inspecting skin for damage. Secondly, several pressure, temperature, and humidity sensors were tested for their suitability to our purposes. Nine force sensors were selected, out of which only four were functional by the end of this work, and two temperature sensors. All were placed on those locations more subject to PU development, namely the ischial tuberosities, coccyx, and other areas in the buttocks withstanding more pressure. Humidity sensors were reluctantly dropped from the setup, due to their thickness and sharpness, which could induce skin damage. The ensemble was tested in experimental and clinical settings. The protocol was developed in the lab and the pyjama tested with healthy participants against their usual pyjamas. The force and temperature sensors provided data to assess our pyjama’s performance, and a commercial pressure-sensing system was used to validate our force sensors. Results were mixed, with our pyjama performing better with only some participants, and with force sensors replicating the commercial system’s pattern, but not absolute values. In the clinical setting, results were similar – our pyjama performed better part of the time. Again, our force sensors showed similar patterns, but different absolute values than the commercial system. Here, we were able to assess the usability of our pyjama by asking caregivers to fill in a questionnaire. Results were very positive, except for hygiene purposes, where staff asked for more openings. Finally, we were also able to interview participants and collect their subjective assessment of the pyjama, namely on its thermophysiological comfort properties, usability, and impact on self-esteem. Results were extremely positive, with all participants making a very positive assessment on all aspects evaluated. Overall, and despite several issues, the initial goals were mostly achieved – we manufactured a pyjama with excellent pressure, temperature, and humidity management capacity, as was proven by the caregivers’ and patients’ opinions and most textile and experimental tests. Our temperature sensors showed excellent results, although we were still unable to calibrate our force sensors. To our regret, the humidity variable had to be dropped from the project due to the unavailability of appropriate sensors. Still, we managed to produce a smart garment capable of recording and displaying in an outside device pressure and temperature data, as well as establishing a reliable testing protocol pipeline. We believe these are important stepping-stones for a future more thorough prevention of PUs. Apart from fixing minor methodological issues, future work must focus on recalling the humidity variable into the system, due to its importance in the development of PUs. The next version of the pyjama should also take into account the caregivers’ suggestions and add one more opening at the perineum to aid in hygiene tasks. More importantly, we must find a way to show force and temperature values in SI units in real-time, either by managing to calibrate the sensors, or preferably substituting them altogether. Finally, studies with larger samples are also needed in order to further validate our ensemble.<br>As Úlceras de Pressão (UPs) são lesões isquémicas causadas principalmente pela pressão excessiva. Com elevadas taxas de incidência e as dificuldades inerentes ao seu tratamento, as UPs são um grave problema tanto para pacientes como para profissionais, e acarretam um pesado fardo para o SNS. Assim, impõe-se uma forte aposta na sua prevenção. No entanto, os métodos usados não são ainda eficientes na redução da incidência das UPs. Uma forma de aumentar a sua eficácia passa pelo uso de têxteis capazes de gerir as variáveis de risco, com a integração de sensores que as monitorizem. Estes têxteis sensitivos poderão incorporar um alarme capaz de alertar os utilizadores quando é detectada pressão, temperatura ou humidade excessivas, permitindo-lhes agir em conformidade. Juntamente com a definição de protocolos de teste, estes são os objectivos gerais deste trabalho – produzir têxteis capazes de gerir pressão, temperatura e humidade, com sensores integrados para medir estas variáveis e transmitir os resultados para um dispositivo externo. Esta informação pode ser então usada para implementar técnicas preventivas, como o reposicionamento, de forma a impedir o desenvolvimento de UPs. Para atingir este objectivos, três grupos de têxteis (protectores de colchão, roupa e lençóis) foram submetidos a uma série de testes para determinar as suas propriedades e capacidade de gestão de pressão, temperatura e humidade. Estes resultados permitiram determinar o melhor material no grupo Roupa, que foi usado para fabricar dois tipos de pijamas: inteiro e de duas peças. Ambos foram concebidos para garantir a ausência de costuras ou fechos na parte traseira e lateral da peça, com o objectivo de evitar pontos de pressão passíveis de induzir desconforto ou UPs. Mais ainda, todos os fechos foram protegidos de forma a evitar contacto com a pele, o que poderia comprometer a sua integridade e promover o desenvolvimento de UPs. Finalmente, o número e localização dos fechos foi pensado de forma a permitir aos pacientes com mobilidade vestirem e despirem o pijama sozinhos, bem como para auxiliar os profissionais de saúde nas suas tarefas diárias. Em segundo lugar, foram testados sensores de pressão, temperatura e humidade. Depois de inúmeros testes, foram seleccionados nove sensores de força, dos quais apenas quatro se encontravam funcionais no final deste trabalho, e dois sensores de temperatura, colocados nos locais mais propícios ao desenvolvimento de UPs, como os ísquios, cóccix e outras áreas nas nádegas sujeitas a mais pressão. Foi necessário abandonar os sensores de humidade, devido à sua espessura e aspereza, que poderiam causar danos na pele. Este sistema foi testado em ambiente experimental e clínico. O pijama foi testado em laboratório com participantes saudáveis e os seus pijamas habituais, usando os dados dos sensores de força e temperatura. Para validar os sensores de força, utilizou-se um sistema comercial de pressão. Os resultados foram inconclusivos: o nosso pijama obteve melhores resultados com alguns participantes, mas não com outros, e os sensores de força capazes de replicar o padrão de resultados do sistema comercial, mas não os valores absolutos. Em ambiente clínico, os resultados foram semelhantes – melhor desempenho do nosso pijama uma parte do tempo, mas nem sempre. Mais uma vez, os sensores de força apresentaram padrões idênticos, mas valores absolutos diferentes do sistema comercial. A usabilidade do pijama foi avaliada através do preenchimento de um questionário apresentado aos prestadores de cuidados. Os resultados foram muito positivos, com a excepção de um pedido para mais aberturas para fins de higiene. Finalmente, entrevistámos os participantes sobre o pijama, focando a nossa atenção no conforto termofisiológico, usabilidade e impacto na auto-estima. Os resultados foram extremamente positivos, com todos os participantes a fazerem uma avaliação muito positiva em todos os aspectos considerados. No geral, apesar de vários contratempos, os objectivos foram alcançados – produzimos um pijama com excelentes capacidades de gestão de pressão, temperatura e humidade, como comprovado pelas opiniões dos prestadores de cuidados e pacientes, bem como pelo desempenho nos testes têxteis e experimentais. Os sensores de temperatura mostraram óptimos resultados, embora não tenha sido possível calibrar os sensores de força. A variável humidade foi retirada devido à indisponibilidade de sensores apropriados. Ainda assim, produzimos um pijama capaz de monitorizar pressão e temperatura e definimos um protocolo rigoroso de teste, passos importantes para uma prevenção mais eficaz de UPs. Para além de resolver algumas questões metodológicas, o trabalho futuro deve-se concentrar novamente na variável humidade. A próxima versão do pijama deverá ter uma abertura no períneo para facilitar tarefas de higiene. Há ainda que encontrar uma forma de mostrar valores de força e temperatura em unidades SI em tempo real, através da calibração dos sensores, ou substituindo-os por completo. Finalmente, são necessários estudos com amostras maiores, de forma a validar mais aprofundadamente o nosso pijama.

abstract: “Smart” materials are used for a broad range of application including electronics, bio-medical devices, and smart clothing. This work focuses on development of smart self-sealing and breathable protective gear for soldiers against Chemical Weapon Agents (CWA). Specifically, the response of chemo-mechanical swelling polymer modified meshes to contact with stimuli droplets was studied. Theoretical discussion of the mechanism of smart materials is followed by development and experimental analysis of different modified mesh designs. A multi-physics model is proposed based on experimental data and the prototype of the fabric is tested in aerosol impingement conditions to confirm the barrier formed by rapid-self-sealing feature of the design.<br>Dissertation/Thesis<br>Masters Thesis Mechanical Engineering 2016

碩士<br>國立臺北科技大學<br>有機高分子研究所<br>105<br>In this study, we successfully fabricate a 3D network structure nanofiber with high conductivity and elasticity by the technologies of electrospinning and silver-reduct method. We discuss the effect of 3D elastic nano-conductive fiber that coating with different materials (PTFE with distinct ratio of PU) by dipping and drying method, under different gas sources with plasma and different plasma time. The fiber form into this 3D network structure will has higher specific surface area, so that will generate more current by stretch. A maximum current is about 80 nA by stretch the fiber that coating with PTFE under the 66% tensile rate, then, with the increase of the stretching times, the current decrease to about 7nA. The coated material PTFE mixed PU (8:2) under the 66% tensile rate, produce maximum current is about 10nA, after stretch 60 times, the value decrease to about 5E-10A. The PTFE mixed PU (5:5) produce maximum current is about 3nA, and after stretch 190 times, the current still maintain to 1.43nA under the 66% tensile rate. In summary, this study successfully fabricate a 3D elastic nano-conductive fibers with good stretchability, electric-produce repeatability, and it can put in use to wearable smart garment.

Le innovazioni tecnologiche offrono molte opportunità di design nell’ambito dei wearable computers, degli smart objects e delle loro potenzialità d’interazione con l’uomo e i sistemi di computing ubiqui e pervasivi. Queste tecnologie possono essere utilizzate per realizzare nuovi prodotti, servizi e interazioni pensati per raccogliere, aumentare e condividere informazioni, conoscenze, emozioni, esperienze, attraverso piattaforme che supportano l’aumento della consapevolezza sociale. Se applicate poi al settore del wellness esse potranno interagire tra loro, con la rete e con l’uomo, per spingere, aiutare e assistere le persone verso una vita attiva, dinamica e sportiva, e potranno diventare un mezzo per monitorare lo stato di benessere e di salute dell’utente, in un’ottica di prevenzione e di diagnosi precoce, e uno strumento importante per studiare e comprendere l'attività del corpo su larga scala.

Disappearing dress codes, customers as designers and wearable technology; in recent years the production and function of clothing has undergone massive change. New manufacturing technologies have brought bespoke design within reach of many consumers for the first time. Miniature sensors can turn ordinary garments into smart devices. And blurring gender roles and class distinctions point the way towards a more fluid approach to clothing, fashion and design. The Future of Clothing offers a critical introduction to these developments from an interdisciplinary perspective, engaging with their implications for the clothing industry and related fields. You'll learn how mass-personalization impacts the luxury market, the effects of automation on craftsmanship and how AI design may affect individual style choices. Contributors include fashion historian, author and broadcaster Amber Butchart, adventurer, ecologist and head of the Sculpt the Future Foundation David de Rothschild, and best-selling author Yuval Noah Harari. There are also 8 exclusive illustrations by Salvador Dali, depicting the surrealist master’s extraordinary vision of how fine-tailored clothing might evolve in the 21st century. Together they form a truly unique guide to the future of this most creative industry.

Textiles and Fashion explores the integration of textile design with fashion, showing the many ways designers use fibre, fabric construction and surface treatments within a garment and on the body. It begins with a brief history of textiles in fashion, showing the links with technical innovation and social developments. You’ll then briefly learn about the processes of textile design, including ethical and environmental considerations, as well as fibre production, dyeing and finishing techniques, before moving on to making the most of different surface treatments and the ways in which colour and trend influence fashion and textiles. This 3rd edition includes updated coverage of emerging technologies, including smart textiles and 3D printing, and interviews with fashion designers to offer insight into how they use textiles in their work. Overall, this is the ideal introduction to using textiles within a fashion context.

Adult Degenerative Scoliosis (ADS) is an aging population condition that occurs as a result of a degenerative change with an abnormal lateral curve greater than 10. Increased concerns over the health effects of ADS have been raised due to its increasing prevalence. Thus, inclusive design products, such as smart monitoring functional garments, are recommended for ADS, which integrate smart monitoring sensors with garments that help ADS to rebalance the spine through active self-correction. However, present research on smart monitoring clothing for ADS focuses more on intelligent monitoring components and systems. There is insufficient research on the integration design process of smart sensors with garments. Hence, this study aims to establish a scientific integration design framework for inclusive smart monitoring functional garments for ADS.Mixed research methods that combined qualitative and quantitative methods were used in this study. Specifically, the qualitative study, including a case study of a previous prototype and practical research of developing an iteration prototype, was conducted to investigate the integration design of smart monitoring functional garments for ADS. Then quantitative data of detailed anthropometric measurements, patterns, and characteristics of electronic accessories and fabric were collected and analysed using 3D modelling and fitting by CLO3D software. The quantitative result was then combined with the qualitative result to build an integration design framework for inclusive smart monitoring functional garments for ADS.The results showed that the development of smart monitoring functional garments for ADS is based on both the body factors of ADS and intelligent monitoring component factors. Furthermore, our findings suggested that the internal garment structure, combining positions, combining techniques, and fabric selection interact with each other under the spiral iteration design process. Finally, the proposed integration design framework and the iteration smart monitoring functional garment for ADS were established. Our findings established a thorough scientific basis for the knowledge on the integration design approach of smart monitoring functional garments for ADS.

Self-fitting is the ability of a wearable, garment or body-mounted object to recover the exact shape and size of the human body. Self-fitting is highly desirable for wearable applications, ranging from medical and recreational health monitoring to wearable robotics and haptic feedback, because it enables complex devices to achieve accurate body proximity, which is often required for functionality. While garments designed with compliant fabrics can easily accomplish accurate fit for a range of body shapes and sizes, integrated actuators and sensors require fabric stiffness to prevent drift and deflection from the body surface. This paper merges smart materials and structures research with anthropometric analysis and functional apparel methodologies to present a novel, functionally gradient self-fitting garment designed to address the challenge of achieving accurate individual and population fit. This fully functional garment, constructed with contractile SMA knitted actuator fabrics, exhibits tunable %-actuation contractions between 4–50%, exerts minimal on-body pressure (≤ 1333Pa or 10 mmHg), and can be designed to actuate fully self-powered with body heat. The primary challenge in the development of the proposed garment is to design a functionally gradient system that does not exert significant pressure on part of the leg and/or remain oversized in others. Our research presents a new methodology for the design of contractile SMA knitted actuator garments, describes the manufacture of such self-fitting garments, and concludes with an experimental analysis of the garment performance evaluated through three-dimensional marker tracking.

Between February 2023 and May 2024, the Population Council, in partnership with the Egyptian Chamber of Apparel and Home Textile Industries (ECAHT) and with support from the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Cairo, assessed the acceptability, effectiveness and cost of an intervention that combines raising awareness of family planning/reproductive health with on-site provision of family planning services. The intervention, known as the “Our Health is Our Capital” project, was implemented in 10 garment factories in El Amereya Free Investment Zone. Results showed that this model of public–private partnership is acceptable to both workers and factory managers/line supervisors, is effective in addressing workers’ family planning needs, and is a smart investment for businesses. A number of recommendations for scaling up this intervention to the national level are provided in the report.

Between February 2023 and May 2024, the Population Council, in partnership with the Egyptian Chamber of Apparel and Home Textile Industries (ECAHT) and with support from the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Cairo, assessed the acceptability, effectiveness and cost of an intervention that combines raising awareness of family planning/reproductive health with on-site provision of family planning services. The intervention, known as the “Our Health is Our Capital” project, was implemented in 10 garment factories in El Amereya Free Investment Zone. Results showed that this model of public–private partnership is acceptable to both workers and factory managers/line supervisors, is effective in addressing workers’ family planning needs, and is a smart investment for businesses. A number of recommendations for scaling up this intervention to the national level are provided in the report.

On 17 July 2024, the Population Council and UN Foundation's Universal Access Project co-hosted a timely discussion on addressing women’s health in global supply chains and latest efforts to drive corporate action on worker health and wellbeing. The Population Council presented a case study of public-private partnership in providing family planning services to garment workers in Egypt. And it put the study in context with its past initiatives in Asia—in Bangladesh and Cambodia—on workplace health programs and policies. The UN Foundation’s Universal Access Project led a panel discussion with business, development, and NGO experts on the state of workplace health and wellbeing initiatives, on connections to climate resilience and effective stakeholder engagement, and on next steps to engage corporate champions.