Textiles of the future go on show in Berlin

Sep 02, 2003

The University of Wollongong's (UOW) expertise in the area of electronic textiles will soon go on display at the premiere of the "Textile Future Show" to be held in Berlin from 4 September.

The show offers a great opportunity for UOW and CSIRO Textile and Fibre Technology, with whom the University collaborates, to showcase the latest research developments in this developing new field of science.

Textiles of the 21st century will be able to think for themselves - whether it's a jacket which adapts itself to a whole range of outside temperatures, an airbag system for motorcyclists or a PC you can wear!

The presentation will include products with their wide range of possible uses in the areas of well-being, safety, health and communication. The majority of the future technological textiles on show will be finished products ready for sale.

A postdoctoral research fellow with CSIRO who is based at UOW's Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Ms Bridget Munro, will be representing the University of Wollongong at the textile show. Ms Munro has played a key role in the development of the intelligent knee sleeve which is now at the advanced prototype stage meaning it will soon realise its possible commercial potential.

Embedded with tiny electronic sensors and infused with a "smart polymer", the knee sleeve teaches athletes how to jump and how to land properly. Any false movement is indicated by an acoustic signal. The knee sleeve promises to save thousands of athletes from costly knee injuries.The sleeve has been developed by UOW's Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, UOW's Biomechanics Research Laboratory and the CSIRO.

As well as being on show in Germany, the knee sleeve is also on show at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.

The Textile Future Show will move to other parts of Germany throughout September and October after its premiere in Berlin.

For further information contact Associate Professor Julie Steele on (02) 4221 3881 or Professor Gordon Wallace on (02) 4221 3127.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128