"Solartex"" research project / ECG shirt

As part of the “Solartex” joint research project, which is funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs using funds from the state foundation of Baden-Württemberg and which will run until 2006, nine partners from industry and research (including the Hohenstein Institute for Clothing Physiology, BPI), are looking into the potential for integrating solar cells in clothing to power small mobile devices. So far, two demonstration models have been presented which are able to generate and store energy: the Bogner denim jacket by Mustang and a protective warning jacket by Tempex. Two more functional models will now be exhibited at the Avantex fair in hall 3.1, A23: a children’s jacket with active luminous elements by Kanz and an optimised denim jacket by Mustang. Demonstration models in the sportswear and protective clothing sector are also planned for a further stage of the project.

The BluetoothTM ECG shirt jointly developed by the Institute for Information Processing Technology (ITIV) at the University of Karlsruhe and Straschu enables patients’ heart function to be permanently monitored. The measuring electrodes to record the ECG are integrated in the textile material to ensure that nothing can slip or fall off during wear and that the wear comfort is not affected. The data provided is transferred to a base station or a smart phone using Bluetooth short-range radio technology.

Contact: Martin Rupp, department of Clothing Technology, Tel.: +49 7143 271-301, e-mail: m.rupp@hohenstein.de.