Technical Textiles Executive

Burton iPod enabled jacket using smart textile sensors

Sports clothing must maintain the user at a comfortable temperature whilst keeping them dry and odour free.There have been significant advances in recent years to achieve these goals. For example, engineered wool fabrics promote the migration of moisture away from the body. Silver coated yarns can suppress the growth of the microbes that are responsible for body odour.

Innovation is often introduced to the market through a sportswear application. For example, there has been an increasing interest in the integration of electronic systems into textile structures. A number of products are already on the market. Examples include a communications vest for mountain rescue and a ski jacket with MP3 player that is operated via an integrated textile switch.