Gliding down the slopes of southeastern France at breakneck speed, William Hughes makes for an arresting sight. The effect is more than a little haunting: It’s nighttime, for one, and the Artec snowboarder is clad head to toe in an LED-studded snowsuit. Hughes is the star and subject of a video by fashion photographer and filmmaker Jacob Sutton, who spent three nights in the Rhône-Alpes on a skidoo, at temperatures of -13 degrees Fahrenheit, to obtain the footage. Sutton sought the assistance of electronics expert John Spatcher, to custom-make the “temperamental” garment, an endeavor that took 300 man-hours to complete, according to Nowness, an online magazine by luxury group Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy.
William Hughes’s LED Snowboarding Suit Lights Up the Nighttime Slopes
by Bridgette Meinhold, 02/21/12
National Academies of Sciences Urge Review of Nanomaterials Risks, Safety
by Bridgette Meinhold, 02/19/12
Good things don’t necessarily come in small packages. Take the growing popularity of nanotechnology, for example. Although nanoscale forms of silver, carbon, zinc, and aluminum can be found in products ranging from clothing to cosmetics, their health and environmental risks remain uncertain, according to an expert panel of the National Academy of Sciences. Nanomaterials, which are less than ten-thousandth the width of a human hair, offer several advantage, including the ability to be both very strong and very light, or, in the case of certain sunblocks, to glide on smoothly without giving the Phantom of the Opera a run for his money. But they can also be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, researchers warn, or leach into the environment during manufacturing, use, and disposal.
Nike Creates Prosthetic Running Sole for Amputee Triathlete (Video)
As the first female leg amputee to complete the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii, Sarah Reinertsen is no stranger to surmounting obstacles. Nike is giving her a boost, however, with a lightweight, durable composite sole that slides easily over her carbon-fiber running blade. Because options for prosthetic soles are limited, particularly for ersatz limbs that aren’t shaped like a human foot, Reinertsen had to cobble her own using the outsole of a traditional running shoe. The sportswear giant worked with both Reinersten and Össur, which manufactures the Flex-Run blade, to engineer the “Sole,” a shoe that offers a tighter grip, increased stability, and a more predictable advantage on the track.
Nike Partners With DyeCoo to Broaden Waterless Dyeing Technology
Nike is linking arms with DyeCoo Textile Systems, the Netherlands-based company that built the first commercial waterless textile-dyeing machine, an announcement notes on Tuesday. The agua-free technology imbues a pressurized form of carbon dioxide with liquid-like properties, allowing it to penetrate textile fibers and disperse preloaded dyes without extra chemical agents. Once the dyeing cycle is complete, the CO2 is gasified to recover the excess dye before cycling back into the dyeing vessel for reuse—no muss, no fuss, and with far less energy than conventional methods.
Elektrodress: An Electronic Suit That Treats Nerve Disorders (Video)
Jumpsuits can function as more than glorified unitards. Case in point? The “Elektrodress”, a rehabilitative suit for individuals suffering from multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatism, and other neurological disorders. Invented by Fredrik Lundqvist, a chiropractor in Sweden, the Elektrodress features a series of electrodes that stimulate or inhibit under- and over-functioning muscles. By using vibration therapy to modulate muscle tone, the suit promises relief through relaxation, increased mobility, and improved functioning.
World’s First Magnetic Soap Could Revolutionize Oil-Spill Cleanups
Scientists from Bristol University in the United Kingdom have discovered a way to clean up oil spills without leaving behind a mass of suds. Derived from iron-rich salts dissolved in water, the “magnetic soap” can be manipulated through simple magnetic forces rather than physical or chemical means. Although the surfactant is still highly experimental, the research raises the possibility of slick-neutralizing detergents that can be removed from sensitive environments once the job is done.
NRDC Files Lawsuit Against EPA To Block Nanosilver Pesticide in Clothing
From odor-absorbing underpants to bacteria-resistant appliances, silver nanoparticles are on the cutting edge of antimicrobial technology. But although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has “conditionally registered” the disinfectant as a preservative for textiles such as clothing, baby blankets, and pillow cases, the Natural Resources Defense Council wants to ban the product entirely. The “conditional” clause means that the EPA requires further toxicity data but is allowing the pesticide on the market anyway, explains Jennifer Sass, a senior scientist at the NRDC, on her blog. HeiQ, the Swiss manufacturer behind several nanosilver products, has four years to prove that the substance will not cause “unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment,” she adds. “Four years!”
U.S. Military Develops High-Tech Undies to Monitor Soldiers’ Vitals
Photos by the U.S. Dept. of Defense
Military intelligence just got a whole lot smarter with a new breed of under-armor that monitors soldiers’ vitals during combat. Developed by U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command and the Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center, in collaboration with Foster-Miller and Malden Mills Industries, the “wear and forget physiological sensing system” uses gel-free sensors to form an electronic network that monitors respiration, heart rate, body posture, and skin temperature. Unlike current monitoring systems, which typically involve bulky chest straps attached to a tangle of electronics, the high-tech drawers are designed for comfort. Using computer algorithms to extrapolate the data, the technology could identify critical casualties, as well as train and recruit personnel for missions.
MIAmobi’s Smartphone, Laptop Cases Keep Data Safe From Prying Eyes
If Big Brother has you on the defensive, you’re not alone. With radio-frequency ID, Global Positioning System, and Wi-Fi location tracking on the ascent, privacy in the digital age has become an increasingly tenuous concept. To keep your data safe from hackers, advertisers, and identity thieves, MIAmobi has designed a “SilentPocket” line of cases that uses nanosilver technology to block any electromagnetic transmissions from your smart devices, credit cards, or other RFID-embedded items—no battery removal, required. Bonus: They also liberate you from the constant barrage of unwelcome calls, status updates, and text messages without the need to power down.
Vuzix’s “Smart” Sunglasses Merge Virtual Information With Real World
Augmented reality—the ability to superimpose virtual data onto real-world environments—is appealing in theory, but typical head-mounted displays have the subtlety of a sledgehammer to your forehead. Vusix, a video-eyewear company from Rochester, NY, has invented an electronic headset that looks—and works—like a pair of designer sunglasses. Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, the Internet-connected “Smart” device uses holographic film to serve interactive content right before your eyes. Besides changing the way you work and play, not to mention interact with your assorted gadgets, the Smart also has potential applications in military ops, emergency response, and disaster management.
AfterShokz Bone-Conducting Earphones Pump Music Through Your Skull
If years of cranking up your tunes to sky-high decibels are taking their toll, the electronics wizards at AfterShokz have created a better way to rock out by bypassing your eardrums completely. The Syracuse, NY-based company, which debuted a trio of headphones at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, uses bone-conduction technology to deliver sound waves directly to your inner ear. Because AfterShockz doesn’t drown out ambient noise like conventional earphones can, you’ll be able to carry on a conversation, pay attention to passing cars, or maintain awareness of your surroundings while your music plays, all while keeping the peace between you and your fellow man (or woman).
Spnkix Turns Boring Ol’ Shoes Into Remote-Controlled Motorized Skates
Why walk when you can roll? For short-range commuters, technophile thrill-seekers, and the just plain lazy, Acton Inc. has invented a motorized skate that turns any sneaker into your own miniature Segway. Debuting on Tuesday at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, “Spnkix” (pronounced “spin kicks”) is a reinforced nylon frame that straps onto your shoe, imbuing it with the ability to sally forth at up to 10 miles per hour—just a tick slower than its 2-foot-tall counterpart—without streaming a cloud of noxious emissions in its wake.
YumaLite’s LED “Visor” Uses Light Therapy to Banish Winter Blues
If winter’s lingering state of gloom has you down in the dumps, you could be prone to seasonal affective disorder. The most effective way to nip it in the bud? Light therapy (also known as “phototherapy”) for the months when sunshine is in short supply. For folks who prefer the do-it-yourself route, there’s YumaLite, an LED-equipped “visor” that claims to alleviate the symptoms of those pesky winter blues, which can lead to overeating, oversleeping, lethargy, and a general malaise. Unlike light boxes, which can cost up to $600 and force you to be stationary, the $99 head-mounted device accommodates a wide range of motion. Sure, it looks goofy—make that really goofy—but if wearing the YumaLite for minutes a day leads to a cheerier disposition, who are we to argue?
Top 7 Wearable Technology Concepts of 2011 (Vote for the Coolest!)
Which is the hottest wearable-technology concept of 2011?
- 113 Votes Data-streaming contact lens
- 53 Votes Temporary electronic tattoo for tracking body functions
- 17 Votes T-shirt that converts sound to electricity
- 15 Votes Air-purifying jeans
- 14 Votes Vest that monitors patients' vitals and location
- 12 Votes Solar-powered military uniforms
- 12 Votes Self-healing rainwear
Total Voters: 236
No Jetson-esque flying cars here, but you’ll find plenty of wearable technology concepts our archives.
UPcload Uses Your Webcam to Help You Buy Clothes That Actually Fit
Shopping for clothes online is a bit of a gamble, but Berlin-based startup UPcload is launching a new Web-based body-measuring system that will give you a perfect fit each time, no matter what the brand. Founded by university classmates Asaf Moses and Sebastian Schulze, who bonded over their frustration with buying ill-fitting garments online, UPcload seeks to eliminate the hassle of returns by taking the guesswork out of sizing. No fancy scanning equipment is required. All you need is a webcam
and an ordinary CD, which the company’s photo-recognition software uses to determine your distance and subsequent dimensions.
3D-Printed Tapestry Eyeglasses Bring Technology, Tradition Together
Applications for rapid prototyping in fashion abound but few are as charming as Chloë McCormick and Nicholas O’Donnell-Hoare’s tapestry eyeglasses, which combine the magic of three-dimensional printing with traditional needlework. Laser-sintered from nylon powder, the frame includes a grid of holes for weaving thread in and out of—perfect for personalizing with a pattern of your making (we …
Thermochromic “Jack Frost” Scarf Reveals Snowflakes as Mercury Drops
No matter how frightful the weather outside gets, Diana Eng’s “Jack Frost” scarf will delight with snowflakes that magically appear as soon as temperatures drop. A magical spin on technology in fashion, the scarf uses thermochromic inks that react with cold to produce the awe-inspiring effect. At 65 degrees Fahrenheit, tiny flurries begin to materialize, becoming progressively larger as the mercury falls further.
The End of Laundry? Cotton Fabric Cleans Itself When Exposed to Sunlight
The end of laundry is nigh as far as chemists in China are concerned. Scientists are developing a cotton fabric that cleans and deodorizes itself when exposed to regular sunlight, according to a recent report in Applied Materials & Interfaces, a journal of the American Chemical Society. By using a coating made from a compound of titanium dioxide—the white stuff found in white paint, food coloring, and sunscreen—Mingce Long and Deyong Wu of the Hubei University for Nationalities and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have created a self-cleaning material that doesn’t require a high dose of ultraviolet rays to work its mojo.
N-Product Turns Discarded Backpacks, Inner Tubes Into iPod Watchbands
Transform your iPod Nano into an eco-friendly timepiece with the Deckster Re:Class series of wristbands by N-Product. Created in partnership with Mountain Equipment Co-op, an outdoor-apparel manufacturer based in Ottawa, each casing comprises discarded, damaged, or unusable backpacks, bicycle tires, and inner tubes—durable materials with adventurous pasts that would otherwise languish in a landfill.
“Terminator”-Like Contact Lens Lets You Read Emails Before Your Eyes
Live data that streams directly before your eyes à la The Terminator sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but researchers are thisclose to making it a reality. In a study published in the December 2011 issue of the Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, University of Washington researchers demonstrated the safety of such a device by testing it in the eye of a rabbit. Although the prototype contained only a pixel of information, which appears as a tiny dot of light, scientists say it’s a proof of concept that could lead to superimposed emails and other messages in your line of sight. Talk about hands-free communication.
Slash-Resistant Clothing Protects Taxi Drivers From Violent Knife Attacks
Following a spate of violent knife attacks on taxi drivers in the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia, protective-apparel firm PPSS Group has developed a range of slash-resistant clothing designed to protect cabbies from hostile or intoxicated fares. The sweatshirts, windbreakers, sleeves, and gloves all comprise Cut-Tex Pro, a proprietary high-density polyethylene that shields the four major arteries against lacerations and subsequent blood loss.
Jambu’s “Volt” Heated Boot Keeps Feet Warm, Illuminated
You may have some hot stilettos in your closet, but nothing will make your winter wardrobe sizzle like the new “Volt” heated boot by Jambu. Each pair comes with its own on-board ignition switch, a heating plate that reaches up to 122º Fahrenheit, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for dual-source charging. With just one touch, you …
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