Hot spots and moisture lock may be features on clothing in the future

A group of four CMU faculty members are doing research with a study called "Exploration of Functional Design Issues that Interface with the Human Body." The team uses 350,000 points of data and a thermal camera to create a 3-D image of an individual in 12 seconds, said Maureen MacGillivray, professor of human environmental studies.The project, funded by the CMU: 2010 Vision Plan, aims to revolutionize clothing and sports wear."This allows the entire apparel design process to be digitized," MacGillivray said.The infrared thermal camera captures the heat emanating from the human torso, and the images can be mapped on the 3-D image, said Tanya Domina, associate professor of human environmental studies."This will allow for mass customizing for uniforms, work wear and outdoor wear," Domina said.Domina said the team is trying to profile the human torso so that the next-to-skin garments can better manage an individual's heat and moisture. It will help them better assist customers who use sporting wear, she said. MacGillivray said there are abound 400 individuals already in the database, but they are in desperate need of more male participants. They will offer walk-in scanning opportunities from 5 to 7 p.m. on Mondays until Dec. 10 in Room 115 of CMU's Engineering and Technology building, she said.The participants will get a 3-D image of themselves and a spreadsheet of more than 80 measurements, MacGillivray said.MacGillivray said the team used what they found in their research to work with Reebok and the NHL's new uniforms. They also designed new jerseys for the Atlanta Braves with their research information, she said.Domina said the information from the thermal scanner can show specific heat patterns and where there needs to be more moisture control or less of a seam. The seam actually retains a lot of heat, she said.The project was awarded the $350,000 grant from the 2010 Vision Plan last spring, but the project was launched three years ago, Domino said.The first year the researchers emphasized data collecting, but this year they are focusing on taking the data and analyzing it, said Patrick Kinnicutt, assistant professor of geology.Domina said for the final product they will create a thermal database that companies can pay to have access to. The customers really like the tools they walk away with, MacGillivray said.
By: Sarah Schuch