January 2020 Edition Apparel January 2020 issue | Page 81

TECH TALK
magnetically snaps to the cuff of the sock and
connects your wearable to the smartphone app.
The built-in technology can help to track the
number of steps you take, your speed, calories
burnt, the altitude, walking distance, as well as
running cadence, and foot-landing technique.
HARNESS ENERGY WITH CLOTHES
Researchers of the Georgia Institute of
Technology have created energy-harnessing
yarns. The industry can easily weave washable
textiles using these yarns, which harness
energy by taking advantage of static electricity
that develops through friction between layers.
Thanks to this energy source, when on the go,
your garment can charge your phone, giving it a
day’s worth of power. All you have to do is keep
walking, moving, or waving your hand and by
doing so, you will be all set to turn the energy to
good account.
REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH TO
THREAD-DYEING
Twine Solutions has unveiled the world’s first
digital thread-dyeing system. It digitally dyes raw
and off-the-shelf white thread in a host of colours.
The system finds application across industry
sectors: sewing, knitting, and embroidery; the
digitally dyed thread can be used for endless
applications such as apparel, activewear, shoes,
accessories, home decor, vehicle upholstery, and
much more. To help further, the machine can
be operated using the digital colour-matching
FOR ALL OF THESE TECHNOLOGIES
TO BECOME MAINSTREAM AND
EASY-TO-BUY, WE WILL NEED TO
GIVE THE RESEARCHERS AND
MARKET A LITTLE MORE TIME.
mobile application SnapMatch™. Not only
does this technology increase efficiency in the
dyeing process but it also helps to save more
than 70 litres of clean water, which, otherwise,
would have been used to dye one kilogram of
thread. For some time now, the dyeing industry
has been a major contributor to environmental
pollution. Twine looks to reduce the harm dyeing
causes to nature through this impressive new
breakthrough!
These patented technologies are
breakthrough inventions and they can easily
add more fluency to our life. We will always stay
connected and closer to our devices, vitals, and
much more just by staying clothed. These are
bound to simplify life as well. However, for all
of these technologies to become mainstream
and easy-to-buy, we will need to give the
researchers and market a little more time.
The economic viability of these inventions is
a concern and thus, they still lie within niche
pockets. However, the day is not far when
technology-led apparel or garments will be a
must in every wardrobe.
APPAREL
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January 2020
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