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What innovations will sportswear and functional clothing contain in five years' time? In modern functional clothing, you are protected from wind and weather and enjoy pleasant wearing comfort. In order to produce functional clothing for the future, work is carried out in many places. ISPO.com provides an overview of groundbreaking technologies: from a membrane technology launched this autumn, to a 4D printing process and chips in clothing, to current research and development on electronic components in textiles.

Trend 1: Nanospinning: The North Face Futurelight Membrane
How does a cyclist protect himself from environmental influences such as rain and wind? Waterproof and breathable membrane fabrics are essential components of both outdoor and urban functional clothing.

The decisive factor here is to find the right balance between the two characteristics for the respective use and situation. Does The North Face achieve this balance with the new Futurelight membrane?

Permeable to Air and Steam
Using nanospinning technology, a variant of electrospinning, The North Face produces very thin polyurethane fibers. The polymer solution is accelerated away from an electrode by means of an electric field so that the smallest fibers attach themselves to the counter electrode like a fleece.

The size of the resulting pores is only in the nanometer range, which makes the membrane permeable to air and water vapor at the same time, but impermeable to liquid water. By varying the viscosity, surface tension and charge density of the liquid, the breathability, elasticity, and structure of the membrane can be adapted to the intended use. For example, the material can be optimized for competitive sweat sports or protection in wet and cold climates.

Nylon and Polyester Layers from Recycled Raw Materials
The Futurelight membrane is supported by lamination with nylon and polyester layers that protect against abrasion and can be manufactured from recycled raw materials. The water-repellent coating, which helps maintain breathability in the rain, consists of PFC-free hydrocarbons and is incorporated directly into the fiber, allowing it to retain its functionality for up to 80 washes - longer than conventional coatings.

Trend 2: 4D Printing by GRDXKN
Can membrane jackets protect against injuries in the event of a fall from a bicycle? The ingredient brand GRDXKN (pronounced: grid-skin) wants to make this possible soon.

In 4D printing processes, materials are 3D-printed that can be changed over time or environmental influences. In the GRDXKN process, cross-linked polygons of dyed polyurethane are printed on textiles, which are thermoformed during the printing process and form a three-dimensional structure.

Without Skin Abrasions When Falling off the Bike
Originally used as a purely aesthetic addition, certain structures are followed by functionality. For example, structures on the inside of the textile can prevent skin abrasion in the event of a fall from the wheel. At the same time, GRDXKN is researching the improvement of the aerodynamics of clothing through 4D pressure structures.

The process is currently being patented and is still being researched. In principle, printing from 0.5 to 4 millimeters thick is possible on all hydrophilic materials, such as cellulose fibers or polyester. Water-repellent finishes must be applied to the fibers after printing.

Variable Strength for the Respective Beam
The possibilities range from adjustment to the personal requirements of individual carriers (individual prints) to variable strength/flexibility of the print by adjusting the print material and print pattern.

Trend 3:Innovative Customer Interactions via NFC Technology by Verisium
How do manufacturers and sellers best inform their customers about product features? The Moscow start-up Verisium offers an exciting opportunity.

NFC chips were originally intended to be incorporated into clothing to make illegal imitations of branded goods more difficult, but Verisium has found new applications for them. The Near-Field Communication Protocol enables devices such as smartphones to interact with the chip.

When the Chip Is Scanned, Customers Receive Information
After scanning the chip, users receive information from the clothing manufacturer, such as links to further websites, video and audio files. This enables direct customer interaction, which can be used creatively for marketing purposes.

Buyers of Cloudburst Wear products received personalized invitations to Paris Fashion Week 2019 when they scanned the garments. Additional information on products (location of secret pockets) or other possibilities can also be used to express the individual story of the brand.

Frequency of Scans Can Be Evaluated
In addition, data such as the frequency of scans or the location of scanning processes can be collected and evaluated. In the case of multiple scans of the same product, a special price can be offered.

Trend 4: Research on Smart Textiles at ITA of RWTH Aachen University
Electronic components in functional textiles can not only improve customer interactions but also save human lives. But how? Many wearables are currently available that record vital functions - heartbeat, body temperature, GPS signal (Movesense sensors). There are also satellite systems that enable rescue operations from emergency situations in remote areas (ProteGear).

The next step in the development of such technologies is the implementation of the functionalities directly into the textile product. Smart textiles are equipped with at least one sensor and one computing unit (microcontroller), sometimes also actuators that can react actively to environmental influences.

Pickartz, Martin, and Martin Pickartz. “What the Textiles of the Future Can Do.” Ispo.com, 27 Nov. 2019, www.ispo.com/en/trends/4-trend-technologies-functional-clothing-future

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