Exploring the potential of electro-active polymers

University of the Arts PhD Student Aurélie Mossé is exploring the potential of electro-active polymers. "Pursuing my journey through energy-harvesting and self-actuated textiles, I am currently exploring the potential of electro-active polymers in the design of responsive textiles, in collaboration with Dr Guggi Kofod from the University of Potsdam, Germany, Departement of Applied Condensed Matter Physics. Electro-active polymers are plastics changing shape when electricity pass through it. Here you can see some first experiments with basic geometries, where the polymer is stretching when electricity is applied." Continue reading on Textile Future Research.

Image from Textile Future Research

Nancy Tilbury infuses biological experiences into couture

Recently sent to me, Nancy Tilbury in collaboration with Visual Artists 125 Creative, has created a collection of incredibly evocative explorations that infuse biological experiences with couture. From digital cosmetics to couture that we cultivate, Tilbury visualizes what it would be like to wear living skins. 

"A Fashion Futures Film set in 2050. Couture becomes a biological experience, gowns are assembled by gas and nano-electronic-particles, where tailoring and cosmetics are constructed by 3D liquid formations, including swallowable technologies exciting the mind, body and soul through physical expression. It is a time when couture will be cultured and farmed as fashion facets of human flesh. A Fashion Futures Film to provoke...

This Film encompasses the work of Interdisciplinary Fashion Designer Nancy Tilbury and Visual Artists 125 Creative. It's narrative is formed in partnership with Philips Design, Probes Director Clive van Heerden as well as specialist concepts in the area of Living Skins with the Design for Need Expert Amanda Sleet." Continue reading on digitalskinsbodyatmospheres.

[gallery]

Photos from vimeo from left to right: Cloud Gown, a dress made of gas and active nanoparts. E-Pannosa, an electrodynamic moisturiser. Ether Dress, a thinking dress activated by nanignation implants. Tendo Veluntos, swallowable couture. Abeo Eyes, electric eyes. Dynamic Varnish. Humanous Heels, cultured stilettos.

More on Nancy Tilbury.

Turning energy into beauty

[gallery] Student Mae Yokoyama from the Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design created this beautiful piece made almost entirely of solar panels. What I love about this work is that she allows the size and rigidity of the circuit components to inform the structure of the necklace and leaves them exposed to create the aesthetic.

The "collar is made of solar panels, accumulating energy during daytime. When the sun goes down a string of pearls is illuminated, turning the functional look of the solar panels into a subtle and fashionable necklace." Continue reading at Konstfack.

Photos by Andreas Nyquist and Mae Yokoyama, from Konstfack.

Daan Roosegaarde explores technology and intimacy

[gallery]

Daan Roosegaarde is currently an artist in residence at V2_labs in the Netherlands. He's known for his incredibly beautiful electronic works such as (one of my favorites) Dune, which consists of hundreds of flexible led-tipped stalks. Collaborating with fashion designer Maartje Dijkstra, his most recent work explores the relationship between technology and intimacy titled (logically) Intimacy.

"Intimacy, developed by Studio Roosegaarde and V2_Lab, is a project that straddles the world of fashion, wearables and the electronic arts, while exploring the relation between technology and intimacy in contemporary tech-society. The project consists of high-tech garments made with wireless, interactive technologies and smart foils, which can become transparent. The distance towards the garments determines their level of transparency, creating an intimate experience and a sensual play of disclosure. Roosegaarde’s ‘e-fashion’ works as a second skin that transforms the body of the wearer into a tangible interface. This interface acts as an emotional meter that measures and makes visible the level of transparency, disclosure and thus intimacy experienced by the user/wearer in social interaction." (source)

Continue reading on V2_Labs. Photos by Lotte Stekelenburg, model: Kimora - Jimmy Model Management, make up: Joyce Kern, images from V2_Labs.

Sticky, Stiff and Itchy generate power

[gallery]

Continuing on the topic of alternative power harnessing, the latest exploration from Joanna Berzowska and the folks at Extra-Soft Labs is a series of power-generating garments titled Captain Electric. Sticky, Stiff and Itchy harness energy both passively and actively through the activity of fidgeting, fussing, stretching and pulling at our clothes.

"Using inductive generators, we convert kinetic energy from the human body into electric energy and store it within a power cell integrated into the garments. Rather than attempting to conceal the generators and their operation, we chose to overtly integrate them into the garment concept and design." (captain-electric.net)

Here's how Captain Electric describes each of the garments:

Sticky Sticky is a hooded leather dress that impedes natural body movement. The sleeves of the dress are tethered to hard shells on the chest and hips. This restriction forces the body to move in more pronounced and powerful motions, actively generating energy to fuel the dress. The accumulated power feeds a series of LEDs integrated in silicone forms sewn into the pocket, concealed from view.

Stiff Reminiscent of the posture caused by muscular stiffness, the silhouette of Stiff draws emphasis to the back and shoulders of the individual. As she pushes her back against the wall or experiences pressure on her back from another user, the energy generated activates an mp3 player and speaker integrated into the hood, which plays soothing and comforting (though often conflicting) messages.

Itchy Itchy’s tailored leather silhouette is decorated with large reconfigurable wool necklaces. The face is surrounded with layered structure, drawing attention to its features while also offering a sense of comfort and protection from other peoples’ gaze. The layering of necklaces is evocative of bulky wool turtlenecks and their itchiness compels the user to grasp them and move them back and forth on the body.

Read more on Captain Electric. Images from Captain Electric.

Even couch potatoes can generate power

One of the many major challenges of mobile systems such as wearables, is the power source. Scientists and engineers are constantly figuring out smaller, more efficient, cheaper and more powerful ways to power our devices. One area of investigation is around the power that is generated from our own body movements. According to Henry Fountain of the New York Times, it doesn't take much, even a couch potato can generate power. For example, the act of breathing can generate about a watt of power. The challenge is how to harvest that engery and put it to good use.

"Michael C. McAlpine of Princeton and colleagues have developed a promising approach for converting body movements into electricity: printing piezoelectric crystals onto flexible, biocompatible rubberlike material. Continue reading on The New York Times.

I would love to get my hands on one of these!

Photo by Frank Wojciechowski.