Smart MaterialsAQA GCSE REVISION

BiomimeticsThese fabrics have been designed to mimic nature

Speedo’s Fastskin® swimsuit was developed using V-shaped fibres which mimic the ridges found on the skin of a shark

Stomatex® is a lightweight, strong & flexible material that mimics transpiration in plants.

From Bathing to Swimming toWhere next?

Swim wear to this day is made using the warp knitting method

of construction. Unlike Latex Lycra does not loose its elasticity when washed.

Michael Phelps won 8 Gold medals in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing wearing a Speedo Fastskin swimsuit, designed to mirror the efficiency of shark skin. The Fastskin swimsuit is inspired in the shape and texture of shark skin. Shark skin's texture varies to adapt to water flows and currents against its body, in order to navigate in the most efficient manner.

BIOMIMETICS

Modern Textiles

BIOMIMETICS

Modern Textiles

Patagonia environmentally benign wetsuits. The neoprene outer is of 80% non-petroleum based ingredients. (Fortune Mag reckoned it was made with crushed limestone but the Patagonia site is coy on that aspect.) The inner lining is a chloride-free merino wool grid bonded to recycled polyester. Kneepads are PVC-free and are said to be more durable and grippier. Coming for both men and women in 2mm and 3mm versions, to span water temps from 48 to 65°F (9 to 18°C). Long and shortie styles, although limited availability just now. ::Patagonia Wetsuits.

ENVIRONMENTAL WET SUIT

Modern Textiles

Using materials like "Bio Stretch" rubber and "Eco Flex" exterior, Body Glove has created the "first environmentally friendly wetsuit." While the folks at Patagonia might have something to say about that, Body Glove's "Eco Wetsuit" can boast 100% petroleum-free materials which consume "1/10th the amount of energy normally used in the manufacturing of standard petroleum based wetsuits." As we've noted before, surfing and TreeHugging go together like fair trade chocolate and organic peanut butter; it's good to see more ways to walk the walk (and, hey, if you can look as bad-ass as this guy, why not?) before paddling out for some tasty waves. Get all the details about the Eco Wetsuit at ::Body Glove via ::Core77

BIO-RUBBER MATERIALS.Modern Textiles

Jack O'NeillJack is the creator of the wetsuit back in the early 50's. Jack first came across a fabric now widely known in the surf world as neoprene. Strangely enough he discovered it on the floor of an aeroplane! He ordered masses of the material and started stitching it together to make vests, and later suits.In 1952 Jack opened his first surf shop in San Francisco, California, and appropriately called it 'Surf Shop'.

NEOPRENEPolyurethane

Modern Textiles

Speedo The full-bodied Fastskin FSII Ice suits - 2006

• Fastkskin FS II are textured with bumps and ridges in key places, similar to those on a shark's skin. These ridges serve to channel the water over the swimmers body in a more efficient manner than traditional material suits.[27] In addition, the suits are custom designed for the type of strokethe swimmer will use as well as being engineered differently for women and for men. These high-tech suits make use of elastic compression materials to limit muscle oscillation and to compress the swimmer's body, while in other areas a more flexible fabric is used to allow greater range of motion.

Speedo LZR Racer - 2008• Perhaps the company's most controversial

move came with 2008's unveiling of the LZR (pronounced "lazer") Racer — a suit, as Speedo's website boasts, "so fast, it was banned from competition".[36] Indeed the LZR Racer was banned by FINA in 2009, but not until swimmers wearing this suit had already broken at least 46 world records.[37] The super smooth suit, which was optimized with the help of NASA wind tunnels, uses welded seams and multiple woven fabrics to reduce drag by up to six percent.[27] In addition, the LZR, like the Fastskin, utilizes a core stabilizer, which acts almost as a girdle, to reduce muscle movement. This is designed to help the swimmer maintain the proper angle in the water for longer periods of time.[27][37] Popular Science magazine named this suit to their "100 Best of What's New '08" list, calling it "The fastest swimsuit in the world".[38]

• FINA's ban on the LZR Racer and all "hi-tech" suits

NASA computer image used in development of the Speedo LZR Racer

BBC Technical textiles and Shark skin swimsuit

• http://www.tes.co.uk/mypublicprofile.aspx?uc=2186673

• http://www.tes.co.uk/mypublicprofile.aspx?uc=2186673

Smart Textiles

Smart textiles can sense, react & adapt to the conditions around them.

For example, they can react to:• Hot or cold temperature• Light• Pressure• Moisture• Time

Uses

Novelty clothing

Protective clothing

Safety equipment

Medical textiles

Military uses

Anti-allergen products

Baby productsSome smart materials meet a real need & have been developed for specific functions. Others are more of a novelty design feature.

Pressure response FabricD3o is a new innovationIt is a soft malleable material most of the time, but when it comes into contact with force, it hardens on impact

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKQxDoXqc_I

Memory Foam is temperature & pressure sensitive foam that moulds to the shape of the body & returns to normal when pressure is removed.

Micro-encapsulation

Chemicals / Fragrances are captured in microscopic polymer bubbles which are added to natural or microfibres.

When the fabric is rubbed or comes into contact with the skin, the bubbles slowly burst to release their content

Thermochromic ColourThermochromic textiles change colour with heat. They are engineered to change colour at a particular temperature.

There are serious medical uses as well as novelty ones, e.g. liquid crystal fabric strip thermometers, & baby sleep-suits to monitor temperature.

Photo chromic dyesPhoto chromic dyes react to UV light & change colour. They can be useful for monitoring the amount of time children spend in the sun, to prevent sun-burn.

Light (UV exposure)Photochromic paints and dyes change colour when exposed to light. They are used for summer garments to indicate the strength of UV rays – especially good for children’s clothes.

Pigment changes in the sun and is used for T shirt design

What conditions will activate a smart fabric?

Photo chromic dyes

Phosphorescent Pigments

These dyes are used in glow-in-the dark products.

Interactive or Electronic Textiles

An interactive fabric incorporates electronics that are activated by a power source. They are still Smart fabrics, they just require a power source.

Examples of Interactive fabrics

1. The Life Shirt, which monitors blood pressure.

2. Garments with built-in mobile/mp3 technology.

3. Heated gloves.4. Tracksuits which

can monitor performance.

5. Products which emit light and/or sounds.

Interactive or Electronic Textiles

Some more Electronic Fabrics

Graphic Equilizer T-shirt playing to Lady GaGa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGv6Bw34PtU

Electronic fashion on the catwalk – by Diana Eng

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkdJv5OCXio&feature=related

The climate dresshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgVaUqSK3IQ

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/9699488.stmWearable Tech/Smart clothing video from BBC i Player