I have just returned from the beautiful town of Gent in Belgium where I attended the Smart Textiles Salon. As many of the prototypes have been already described by Erich in his blog I will report about the friendly atmosphere and the high technical level of this event.

The headquarters of Gent University are located in an old gothic monastery called Het Pand. Beautiful the large halls, the library and the courtyard. A place full of history.

The event, a joint training initiative of two EU funded projects (PROeTEX and SYSTEX), was organized in parallel with the International Conference ‘Latest Advances in High Tech Textiles and Textile-Based Materials' to celebrate the 80th year of activity of the Department of Textiles.

Instead of listening to passive presentations it has been decided that the audience had to walk along the two halls where prototypes were shown and speakers had to give their presentation in front of their table. A very innovative way of exchanging ideas and comments!

Lots of contacts have been made and I'm sure many of them will bring to new cooperation and new prototypes in the next future. Visitors and researchers were all enthusiast about the technical level of presentations, about the warm hospitality and, last but not least, the excellent food served during lunch and coffee breaks. All details were studied so that there was plenty of time to meet other researchers and be able to discuss with them ideas and suggestions.

During the Salon the Systex student award was assigned to Laura Wilson for her marvelous thermochromic fabrics.

Mika Satomi explained, in two very interesting workshops, how to make a textile pressure sensor and a battery pouch. A hands-on fantastic opportunity for all participants!

Everyone left with the hope that another Smart Textiles Salon will be held again in the next future.

Riccardo