It might not seem to be the best time of the year to talk about heated clothing but I learned recently about an advanced textile technology, the Far Infrared (FIR) fibers which are not only used as textile heating elements in cold weather clothing but they are widely used in the therapeutically clothing segment as well.

First some basics of far infrared: Far infrared rays are part of the sunlight spectrum that is invisible to the human eye. The wavelength of infrared waves range from 0.76 micron to 1,000 microns. This range is further subdivided into the ranges of Near, Medium, and Far-Infrared Rays.

Far Infrared fibers are made of a blend of polypropylene and special lead-free bio-ceramics. The ceramic is the key for ‘emitting’ the far infrared rays.

The bio-ceramic is ground into micro particles in nano scale and is either inseminated into the polypropylene during the polypropylene fiber forming process or for impregnation through a soaking or coating process.

Interesting how the FIR fibers work: it starts with the fact that the human body constantly emits thermo energy. When the bio-ceramic is stimulated by the thermo energy of the human body, it converts it into the far infrared rays and reflects it back into the human body penetrating the skin up to a depth of 3 inches.

According to the medical literature, there are no know side effects coming from far infrared rays. Far infrared clothing can benefit the human body in a gradual and constant way as studies have shown. People wearing these clothes demonstrate improved blood circulation and energy level. This effect is used as treatment method for people suffering from Arthritis and similar conditions.

The very same FIR fibers are used in some advanced heated clothing as well. For heated clothing, an additional power source (battery) is used to stimulate the warmth radiating properties of FIR fibers giving off a soothing warmth even in the coldest winter (or sometimes even summer) days.

I was able to talk during my TechTextil visit in frankfurt with Jürgen Thalmayer from Interactive Wear about the recent launch of their e-Textile designer kit.

Interactive Wear is not planning at this moment to open a online store on their Website. Orders for a designer kit can be made by sending an email with your wish-list to the following address: info@interactive-wear.com or call the following number: +49-8151-55506-0 (Germany).

There are some pre-packaged kits available like the iSolarX containing solar panels (flexible or rigid) attached with conductive textile cable, storage battery pack, battery pack charger (for those cloudy days) and a large selection of connector adapters to connect to almost any portable device.

Other kits available are the iLightX containing all components needed to integrate LEDs or EL decals into textiles, the iThermX for textile heating system design and the iComX kit for communication apparel design.

Although these 4 application clusters have pre-packed kits Interactive Wear is more than happy to bundle kit for specific designer needs. Just send you wish-list and you get all the goodies you need for your next great design.

I am very impressed with the documentation these kits have included. Not only a detail description about the best use of the components, the does and don’ts but also a wealth of tips coming from the hands-on experience from Interactive Wear how the components can be used in various different ways. This provides an excellent starting point for inspiring e-textile designers.

As previously mentioned, the price for the kits is between between €50,- and €150,- ($70.- and $207.-) depending on the actual materials requested. If you have trouble to contact Interactive Wear drop me a line and I will help to make the connection.

Las Vegas had its e-Textile symposium and almost at the same time on the other side of the globe in Taiwan, the Textile International Forum and Exhibition in Taipei has e-Textiles on their agenda as well.

Scientists from the Taiwan Textile Research Institute showed backed to the delight of the visitors toasts in an oven made of textiles. Yes, I didn’t make a typo, their oven is made of thin and flexible conductive elements woven into the oven’s highly heat-resistant fabric.

The oven’s internal temperature can exceed 300 degrees Celsius without damaging the soft fabric and weights only a few hundred grams.

For what is a textile oven good you might ask. For one, such oven can be folded according the Scientists and it is of course very light. This can become handy for camping, trekking in the great outdoors or maybe disaster relief due to the light weight and little space needed for transportation.

One thing might be a problem for the cloth oven to become a commercial hit: the power needed to generate all the heat. Check out your camping place for a good power supply before you head off and buy the cloth oven which could be on sale as early as next year according to the Scientists of the Taiwan Textile Research Institute.

[source: texyt via gizmodo]

Reusch, a company we posted some time ago about their Sonic Glove for the iPod, has announced today together with Interactive Wear AG the Solaris ski-gloves for the Fall/Winter season 2007/2008.

Interactive Wear developed a new technology platform called “iTermX” which is a heating solution for any kind of textiles that is smaller, lighter and more flexible than conventional solutions on the market.

The Solaris ski-glove is the first product that has this new system implemented and will be manufactured in a larger scale by a high end brand like Reusch.

The ThermoTec textile heating system, which is based on Interactive Wear’s new iThermX technology, regulates the heat supply via a microcontroller is monitored by sensors. Energy is only supplied when the temperature drops below a pre-set limit at portions of the wearer’s hand that are sensitive to the cold.

Using special, highly flexible heating elements, heat is generated selectively within the glove without restricting movement. Two low-profile, lightweight rechargeable lithium-ion batteries supply each system with power.

These gloves offer the comfort of ideal warmth with a heating capacity of up to five hours, and the heating system weight in at a maximum of just approximately 70 grams per glove. To ensure flexible usage, the wearer can choose from among three different operational modes: either constant heating or one of two pre-programmed, sensor-monitored, comfortable temperatures within the glove. A LED indicates the selected mode, and single-button control unit with a simple design enables easy and reliable operation.

Based on those features, we assume that the LED is not only there for a cool look but also to show if the heat is on … or not.

Sounds great to us and we are looking very much forward to have a pair to stop running around with cold and stiff fingers, especially at this time of the year.

No info yet about the cost of this finger warming product, stay tuned for an update as soon as we get hold on it. The Solaris will be shown during the upcoming ISPO winter 07 in Munich from Feb. 4-7.

[Via: presseagentur.com]

The products from the German company WarmX get a warm welcome at this time of the year – late autumn and winter.

WarmX has introduced its line of electrically heated clothing, which promises to keep you warm in the great, cold outdoors.
It’s perfect for all outdoor sport activities but also in the professional, working environment where people have no choice but stay in the cold for longer periods of time.

Heated garments usually have heavy wires and bulkiness but not so with WarmX!

A special electrically conductive polyamide thread is woven directly into the cloth. A microprocessor in the control module/battery box regulates the temperature at your choice of three different levels. The rechargable Lithium-Ion battery lasts for 2 to 5 hours depending on the temperature setting.

The idea is simple but great and no worry, their fabric won’t short circuit. All the garments on offer are washable – as one would expect.

You can order the different types of garments ranging from shirts (Euro 348.-) and tights (Euro 398.-) to undershirts (around 250.- Euro) in the women and man collection.

The WarmX online store is open for shopping.

via Techwear