Screen Printing - April/May 2018 - 19

Samsung developed a custom-made suit
and app that Dutch short-track skaters
Sjinkie Knegt and Suzanne Schulting used
to train for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games
in Pyeongchang. The Samsung SmartSuit
measured the skater's exact body posture
to calculate the distance between their hips
and the ice. This data was transmitted to
their coach through a smartphone app. If a
skater's posture wasn't optimal, the coach
could press a button to send a vibration
that the skater immediately felt on their
wrist. (Courtesy of Samsung.)

printing and production technology consultant, summarizes
the three major levels of research and development projects
he believes are underway.

More Types of producTs
Products being fashioned with different forms of e-textiles
today include ski clothing, jean jackets, gloves, yoga pants,
sports footwear, sports bras, underwear, socks, uniforms,
infant wear, gaming shirts, and hospital pajamas. E-textile
products with built-in sensors might also be useful for mattress
pads, fitness mats, parachute fabrics, sleeping bags, fire protection gear, automotive upholstery, airplane seats, and more.
Two global companies used the 2018 Winter Olympics
in Pyeongchang, South Korea to showcase what's possible
when garments include printed electronics. For the parade
uniforms worn by the US Winter Olympics Team during the
opening and closing ceremonies, Ralph Lauren designed
a limited-edition parka and bomber jacket that includes an
integrated heating system made from conductive inks printed
in the shape of an American flag and bonded to the interior
of the jackets. The printed conductive inks are flexible and
stretchable, and connect to a battery pack with three heat
settings. The system has water-repellant properties and can
supply 11 hours of heating time at full charge.
Prior to the Olympics, members of the Dutch short-track
skating team used a Samsung custom-made suit in training

that measured the skater's precise body posture to calculate
the distance between their hips and the ice. This data was sent
to coach Jeroen Otter via a smartphone app, enabling him to
see whether the skaters were bent deep enough as they went
around the track. If their posture wasn't optimal, the coach
could press a button to send a vibration that the skaters immediately felt on their wrist so they could make adjustments. Two
Dutch skaters who used the suits during training medaled in
the Games: Sjinkie Knegt, who won a silver medal in the men's
1500 meter event; and Suzanne Schulting, who won a gold
medal in the women's 1000 meter race.
Google is another big company that sees the potential of
making garments "smarter." Google's Project Jacquard, part
of the company's Advanced Technology and Products (ATAP)
group, is producing conductive yarns that can be used to
weave a complete smart garment. Button-like modules
provide the connectivity. The first product to use Google's
Jacquard thread technology is Levi's Commuter Trucker
jacket, featuring touch-sensitive panels in the sleeves that
can be programmed to control electronic devices. Cyclists
can use the jacket to access navigation prompts, change their
music, or answer phone calls. The yarn sends wireless signals
to a smartphone or tablet with a detachable, rechargeable
smart tag that clips to the cuff. When the clip is removed, the
jacket is washable and the fabric acts like traditional denim.
The jacket can be purchased for $350.
april / may 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Screen Printing - April/May 2018