The Design Technology Blog

Category: Apperal

  • Haute Couture Meets High End Technology: The Future of Fashion

    THE PIEZING DRESS: EVERY WOMAN’S DREAM

     

    Although the world continues to change due to the constant improvements in technology,  none is more fascinating then the idea of technology influencing the world of fashion.  Diana Eng is an example of an extraordinary designer who was able to combine the worlds of technology and art to create remarkable pieces. Eng is one of several up-and-coming technophiles who take fashion as seriously as technology. Her delicate silk chiffons stand apart from the hardware that makes up most of our gadgetry, yet they allow the customer to make technology an integral part of their wardrobe.According to the designer Amanda Parkes, among the most important functions of technologically enhanced designer wear are power generation and storage. Parkes designed the Piezing, a dress that uses piezoelectric discs and film to harness the body’s movement for electrical power, which is stored in a battery near the belly button. (Piezoelectric materials use vibrations from movement to generate electricity.) The battery can then be used to charge a favorite device. Elena Corchero’s exquisite parasols and fans are adorned with intricate embroidery. But solar cells, conductive thread, and batteries give her old-school style a modern twist: Corchero’s Light Gown is a beautiful piece that integrates the world of art and technology as this timeless piece made out of piezoelectric materials has the ability to turn into a night-light when hung on its charger-hook. The creation of these dresses made out of piezoelectric material is fascinating as not only is it innovative as well as aesthetically pleasing but it also has a wide variety of functions with the combined affect of human motion and piezoelectric effect. The entire mechanism involves the storage of generated electricity in small storing battery for further use conditions. The main highlight of this product is, the produced electricity, generated after the result of mechanical motion in the area encircled around elbow joints and hip potion of the dress.

    THE FUTURE

    The remarkable idea of technology and art being combined in the world of fashion is truly revolutionary and allows us to ponder on what the future will be as we ask ourselves questions such as  what happens when these tools are part of our second skin—when instead of carrying our technology, we inhabit it, the way we inhabit a T-shirt? The use of piezoelectric materials in fashion is truly revolutionary and as the idea spreads and more designers begin to incorporate it within their work not only will their works be characterized as being unique but truly extraordinary as they have the ability to  solve the problems surrounding our world by finding unique solutions therefore having the ability to entirely redefine our world.

     

    sources:

    http://www.ecofriend.com/entry/10-innovative-eco-friendly-products/

    http://www.crunchwear.com/?s=piezoelectric

     

     

     

  • Solar Powered Clothing

    Solar power is already becoming a mainstream source of energy all over the western hemisphere. At this point however it is used almost exclusively by large corporations which can afford to set up hundreds of cubic meters of solar panels. Most people are still in doubt about whether switching to solar panels for their houses is worth it or not, since it costs quite a lot.

    What about smaller scale uses of solar panels? One smaller scale use of solar panels has already been designed – in clothing.

    The idea is that clothes would be specially outfitted with solar panels, and electronic devices could be charged by just plugging them in to the solar panel’s battery (which is in one of the pockets of the clothing) and walking around in the sun for a while. This would save money by making people use electricity less at home, as well as maybe eventually making batteries obsolete.

    Silvr Lining has developed a range of clothing items that feature pockets to house solar panels to charge up mobile electronic devices, the theme in their new GO Collection.

    The GO Collection includes a hip-length, Bush-style Director’s Jacket, hooded Utility Vest, 3/4 length Myer’s Topper overcoat and Urban Cargo Pant, letting you have solar powered energy in every possible garment you wear.

    All garments are made from Ultrasuede, a 100 percent polyester fabric that feels like natural suede but is resistant to stains and discoloration, is easy to wash and dry, and is animal-friendly. The clothes (as of now) come in two colors; olive green, or stone gray.

    All articles of clothing in the range feature specially designed pockets to house the independently functioning solar power supply panels, which measure 6 x 8 inches (15 x 20 cm) and output power that is tailored for automatic charging of mobile electronic devices. The chargers can of course be removed from the clothing, and support USB 2.0.

    All the pieces of the GO Collection include two solar panels, while additional units can be purchased separately for the Director’s Jacket, which can accommodate up to four panels.

    Even so – the solar panel jacket isn’t cheap compared to most clothing. The price ranges from US$920 for the Urban Cargo Pant up to $1,260 for the Myer’s Topper. Additional solar panels cost $175 each.

    Of course the GO collection isn’t the only solar powered clothing collection in the market, it reveals the concept of hoe they work however.
    In terms of strength, most clothing solar panels will convert about 5 percent of the light that hits them into electricity, whereas typically solar panels with silicon cells are 16 percent to 20 percent efficient. The actual amount of energy created differs between item.
    The clothes can also be heated up by the solar panels, so people can be warm during the winters.
    Developers believe that the clothing will become mainstream in the next 20 years when solar panels have become cheaper themselves.

    Sources:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2000633.stm

    http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9891134-54.html

    http://blog.cleantechies.com/2008/10/23/solar-powered-clothing/

    http://www.gizmag.com/go-collection-of-solar-charging-clothing/17323/picture/126538/

  • The Nike Mercurial Superfly II Elite (in depth analysis)

    The Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly II Elite

    Original Color for Superfly II Elite

    Personal Point of View on the Shoes

    Theses shoes over the past few weeks have left somewhat of a great impression on me. I’ve looked at them, held them and been given a quick trial with these shoes. I have a love hate relationship with these boots from personal experience alone, but completely understand why these are the top and newest shoes on the market right now. I wouldn’t call them the perfect shoe for me, I’ve tried somewhere over 20 football shoes in the past 5 years and I’ve come to learn that all shoes have advantages and disadvantages and depending on the person, the shoe could suit different people in different ways. These shoes from my own knowledge are by far the lightest I’ve ever tried. The lightness of these shoes contributes to why they are so popular, it made me run faster and accelerate quicker, and in a sport which is played so quickly, speed is of a high priority. I personally think that these shoes have been well designed in the aspect of visual attractiveness, because when I walked into the shop they were the first shoes that came into my view. Certainly they are attention grabbers, and being in the middle of the field it’s quite important that my teammates know where I am.

    Nike’s Stated Benefits of the Shoes

    • Flywire for ultra light-weight and support

      All four shoes of the Nike Elite series introduced for the Fifa World Cup 2010
    • Revolutionary traction for extra grip
    • Traction pattern for cutting and instant acceleration
    • Includes exclusive shoe bag and box
    • Firm-ground (FG) Bladed and conical cleats for use on short grass fields.

    Nike’s revolutionary traction in Nike’s opinion is the top reason for the shoe’s popularity. The traction in this shoe is

    Cristiano Ronaldo endorsing the new football shoes

    what is called ‘adaptive traction’ that activates a cleat in the forefoot that extends when enough pressure is exerted, it extends when needed for the “relentless grip and acceleration the game demands.” Along with the injected stud, the traction in the vapor allow for effortless acceleration. The shoe also includes toe off traction for instantaneous bursts of speed.

    All fields of the aesthetics and materials were carefully chosen and for specific reasons. The Vapor Superfly II Elite features innovative Flywire. Flywire is made of nylon fibers, these fibers are sturdier than older materials and help hold the foot in position. Another advantage to Flywire is that the mass of the material is a lot lighter than older materials. The Flywire also provides better control of the ball and adjust to the foot a lot better. The most minimizing factor of weight in the unparalleled lightness of these shoes is the carbon-fiber chassis, which makes the shoe lighter but also at the same time maximizes strength. The final major contribution to making these shoes such a success was the perforated sockliner which presents low profile cushioning and support whilst also lessens the cleat stress. The total weight of this pair of shoes is an amazing and currently unmatched 370g (13 oz). This boot is favored by wingers or strikers who feel that speed is the most important asset in their game. As a publicity stunt, Nike got Olympic Gold Medalist sprinter, Asamfa Powell, to run 100 meters in these football shoes and on the first attempt he covered the entire distance of the football field in less than 10 seconds, four tenths of a second slower than the track world record.

    Part of Nike Elite Series

    After spending nearly 2 hours in the store I came to the conclusion they weren’t the shoes for me. Instead I chose the T90 Laser III, also from the same elite series. The new revolutionizing elite series consists of 4 shoes. The first, as I have discussed previously in depth because they have been the biggest success and most sophisticated technology, was the Superfly II. Secondly was the shoes I purchased, based upon personal preference, the T90 Laser III. Thirdly, the Tiempo III, these boots are more intertwined with the classical designs of the previous years, but still incorporates much of the revolutionary technology. The final pair is the CTR360, which is the sturdiest of all the shoes, and as the name of the shoe states it optimizes control of the ball. As I have said before the choice goes down to preference but all these shoes have their given benefits and a choice of any of these would be a choice of a football shoe that has left its mark in revolutionizing the football industry.

    Sources and Further Readings:

    http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-337913/pgid-301857

    http://www.studs-up.com/2010/08/nike-mercurial-vapor-superfly-2-elite-review/

    http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/9325/nike-mercurial-vapor-superfly-ii.html

    http://www.prodirectsoccer.com/prodinfo.asp?PID=PDS-002-009-C17&DEPT=2&BRAND=9&SS=1&PROFILE=Speed

    By Laurance Townsend

    Class: Design Technology SL I

    Teacher: Mr Mark Trumpold