STYLE | TECHNOLOGY
From Issue #19
The Future of Fabrics Is Here
No more laundry?
by James Chung
Science is working hard to fill our closet with even more
options. Already burdened by an overwhelming number of
colours and styles, we may soon find ourselves frantically
asking, “Do I need my shirt to recharge my cell or can I skip the
shower and let my shirt cover up the ensuing B.O.?” Sounds
absurd, but you’d better get ready for it.
From clothing that monitors and regulates temperature to
bulletproof liquid suits, the military is making use of all this
new technology. But high-tech clothes aren’t just for the army,
as winter jackets that regulate your body temperature could be
coming out soon but solar cloths could be the first new fabric
you find in the mall. Tiny solar panels can be woven or sprayed
onto fabrics, providing a portable power supply…you.
Researchers from Scotland, the University of Toronto, and
around the globe are working to get these solar cloths into
your closets. Right now, it may not be enough to bump the
sound system at a party all night long, but it could be enough
to recharge your cell. And instead of just powering your MP3
player, the electricity could keep you from having to recycle
underwear. Scientists are also working to use electrical charges
to repel dirt, keeping your clothes clean.
And why waste a beautiful sunny day inside doing your laundry,
when you can spend it outside doing your laundry?
Researchers at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University are
blending titanium dioxide with fabrics, which may sound a bit
scary. But when titanium dioxide is exposed to light, it creates a
reaction that breaks down any dirt or grime on the fabric.
That’s right, no more laundry.
Then again, maybe it’s not always the clothes that reek when
you wake up after sleeping through your alarm…again. In the
future, you can skip the shower and dig through the closet for
a scented shirt. Suits soaked with scented micro-capsules are
already a huge hit in South Korea, and are being tested in Los
Angeles. As you move around, the micro-capsules break and
release a pleasant smell (currently pine, lavender, and
peppermint). And the suits sell for the same price as a regular
one. It’s only a matter of time before companies realize the
perfect fit for the capsules would be with those stank gym
clothes.
Even the humble pair of socks will give you choices. You could
be stuck between wanting to wear your socks with lycra that
massage your feet or collagen-injected socks that keep your
feet smooth, or better still, a pair of socks that kill the dead
woodchuck smell from your favourite old Nikes.
All this could make life easier, but you’ll still have to watch the
weather channel to figure out whether you’ll need solar fabrics
or rainproof sweaters. And your parents could bust you
sneaking out because the hall reeks of peppermint. Clearly, the
future isn’t all rose micro-capsule-scented, but you will be
master and commander over your B.O., smelly feet and laundry
chores sooner than later: So, what do you need your clothes to
do today?
