2014年4月4日 星期五

GE1336 Wearable Technology- Assignment 2

Assignment 2


This is the POV device I created.
 
This is the POV device I created.
 
 
 
 


The photos below demonstrate the message and patterns generated by my POV device. The words include I, R, I, and S, which is my name, IRIS, and the pattern generated is a smiley face.
 







The modification of the project I suggested is to extent the feature of POV device which is using POV device to create a digital clock.

 

The digital clock includes LEDs, a sound sensor, strip, stage, Lilypad Arduino, transistor, real-time clock (RTC) chip, motor, isolation jumpers, battery and wires.

 

Firstly, about the switching mechanism of the digital clock. The demonstration of clock interface, which is the on and off of LEDs of this digital clock is controlled by sound. The sound sensor provides a means to add noise control to the clock and responds to loud noises such as a clap of the hands. Through the on - board microphone, the sensor detects changes in decibel level, which triggers a high pulse to be sent through the signal pin of the sensor. This change can be read by microcontroller boards. It can be used to detect the sound strength of the environment based on the Transistor Amplification and the electrets microphone. ^ So that, by clapping hands or creating a loud sound, it activated the On/Off switch. The time is demonstrated via the sparkling of LEDs. It is convenient for users to know the time without turning on the light inside the clock in darkness.


 

Secondly, the demonstration of time. The LEDs on the strip have the shape of Roman numeral, hour, minute and second hand, which are arranged in rotation angles for characters. They are connected to the Arduino board, which are placed behind the plate. By connecting Lilypad Arduino to computer through a micro USB cable, the customized code for clock can be uploaded to the Arduino board. The Arduino drives the LEDs through a transistor array, since the number of LEDs are much more than the POV device I created, which would be too much to drive directly from the Arduino digital output pins.

 

Furthermore, the real-time clock (RTC) is a computer clock that keeps track of the current time and the motor is responsible for rotating strip. The clock also incorporates isolation jumpers to the board in order to power up the Arduino stuff without the motor starting, and vice-versa. With these components, the LEDs located at different points will sparkle in order to demonstrate the Roman numeral, and movements of hour, minute and second hand. As a consequence, the users can know the actual time.

 

Thirdly, the operation. The code of which LEDs are going to sparkle are edited by the Arduino software and uploaded to the Arduino board in order to represent the time. To set the time, the users should connect the real-time clock to the related software. When users want to know the time, they just need to create a loud sound to switch on the LEDs and motor. Then, the clock interface will show up via the rotation of black plate. If users no long need the demonstration, a loud sound is required to switch off. This clock can create a false imaginary that the clock appears in the air and will look stunning in any environment. Using POV in demonstrating images will be a future trend since people are fascinated in the science fiction movies and demonstrating images in the air.





 

^Retrieved from: http://www.robomart.com/sound-sensor.html








2014年3月16日 星期日

GE1336 Wearable Technology- Proposal


Group 2- AcuMas-D

Acupressure coherent Massage everyDay

 

Chan Man Yi 53555756

Lau Yip Hong 53082278

 

 
1. Title of design
AcuMas-D (Acupressure coherent Massage everyDay)



 2. Concept/ objective
Creating a daily acupuncture-based garment more assessable to public, especially users with hypertension and hypotension problems, with a view to sustain public health whilst combining tripartite of Chinese medicine and Western medicine theories, and advanced wearable technology. AcuMas-D aims at linking our acupuncture points to the acupressure system for medical and health care purpose through the integration of Chinese and Western medicine. This can do good things for users’ regimen, fitness and blood circulation.
 

What have inspired me so far?

Nowadays, people highly rely on ‘Western medicine’ like pills to cure immediate and long-lasted illness. Actually, the rationale behind seems like computer virus attack. Whenever you receive an aggressive virus invasion, you make use of anti- virus software to clean the virus. However, it is only an attack-and-defense relationship, unlike the Chinese medicine’s theories. Instead, the Chinese medicine alike with a traditional proverb “keep something in a rainy day” under the scope of regimen. That is to say, every people can be self-healing and nurture themselves. That’s why we are inspired to create a wearable device of advocating what ancient or contemporary Chinese believed. Subsequently, we sincerely make a wish to this idea can be globalize to foreigners.



Developed over 5,000 years ago in Asia, acupressure involves using fingers to press key healing points on body, which stimulate the body's natural capability to heal itself. Similar to acupuncture, acupressure is a centuries-old practice that falls under the classification of traditional Chinese medicine. Unlike the former, which requires needles, acupressure uses the hands, fingers, elbows, or feet to restore the flow of energy (otherwise known as “qi” or “chi”) and activate the body’s ability to heal itself. Based on the inconvenience of acupuncture, it acts as a stopgap between professional acupuncture and acupressure treatments.
 

Patients can utilize this modern version of the century-old treatment through normal garments equipped with the acupressure buttons, which align with the body's own acupressure points. The instant relief from the acupressure on any aching and affected back, shoulder and arms is vital in providing a drug-free treatment. It provides benefits in aiding with ailments, maintaining body’s condition and serves as preventive therapy. The pellets promote relaxation during stressful situations and energize muscles when fatigue sets in. Since the product is self-administered by the wearer, the so-called “treatment” can be applied as often as needed.
 

Not only applicable in medical treatment, the acupressure clothing can be utilized in health care aspect. Applying pressure on certain acupuncture points can achieve the function of fitness which can suppress appetite to reduce weight. Users with hypertension and hypotension problems can monitor their blood pressure daily at any time in order to monitor the change in their blood pressure level.

3. Research and critiques on related works

 

i) MyChi,
which is being developed by the New York College of Health Professions, is based on the acupuncture concept alike and still at a testing stage. “All athletes look for ways to enhance their performance, whether on the field or tennis court,” says Lisa Pamintuan, president of the New York College of Health Professions.



Drug-Free Relief- main virtue

-          For athletes who want to compete at their peak, the proper management of aches, pain, and injury is vital.

-          For patients who want to relief their pain and employees
The creator is inspired by seeing athletes being used for everything from increased athletic performance to appetite suppression. It aims at helping athletes compete at their best and providing benefits outside of sports, including decreased motion sickness and aid in weight loss and smoking cessation. It is designed for targeting key pressure points in the body for pain relief and performance enhancement. Athletes and non-athletes can benefit from this line of clothing, which equips uniforms, sweatbands, and other gear with strategically positioned “acupressure buttons” to stimulate blood circulation and the immune response.

Whether permanently sewn to clothing or applied in the form of adhesive strips, the pellets can increase energy, decrease stress, relieve headaches, suppress overactive appetites, and relieve nausea and motion sickness, among other benefits, according to Spector. It has been name as “Buttons on sports clothing” or massage therapy.


ii) OSIM uDurian
a handheld massager aims to relax or relieve each body parts by holding the massager onto their outer skin. It is invented referring to concepts of multi-point acupressure and resembling the spikes of durian. The key function is to soothe muscle aches and strain which is similar to Mychi.

There are three main features, namely, versatile design for diverse body contours especially various trouble spots, revitalizing multi-point acupressure massage heighten by the protruding nodes, and dual vibration speed for a more effective and intense massage.
Retrieved from:

Distinction from the AcuMas-D:
The above projects look quite similar but factual not the same at all. AcuMas-d technically bases on the acupuncture-point to carry treatment. What is similar is the method of massage is acupressure. However, the purposes and the benefits are much broader and deeper, such as blood circulation, mental relieve, weight control, internal organs nurturing and fitness. Further, the flexible design is to let customer choose which parts of body going to be massaged according to their favor.


4. Overview of design

The inner layer of the wearable object is produced with the help of 3D body scanner for determining users’ body shapes and identifying clothes’ sizes. After processing the body scan data, the sizes of cotton garments manufactured fit their measurements and proportions best in order to provide a firm and closest acupressure without deviation from the standard acupuncture points.

Users’ body scan data collected are further manipulated in matching the acupuncture points to Chinese medical chart on acupuncture meridians accurately. The position that acupuncture points placed at are slightly different among people according to their body figures. Therefore, it is difficult for people without acupuncture background to identify certain acu-points accurately. This matching system can improve the reliability and accuracy of the function of this wearable object since a chart of acu-points are printed at the back of the inner part for fixing the position of each button.

The “acupressure” nodes will be place at the back of the inner garments and between the outer and inner layer, in order to provide a firm but comfortable massage on specific acupressure points on users’ head, back and arms. It brings a closer touch and feel of a professional massage to help improving blood circulation, relieving the pain and easing tensed muscles. Better treatment is provided by targeting specific acupressure points responsible for certain purposes accurately. These buttons are permanently sewn to clothing.

The acupressure module of the back, shoulder and abdomen is made in the shape like a waistcoat and that of the arms is made in the shape of sleeve. It is made of plastic. The plastic waistcoat-liked and sleeve-liked module are equipped with acupressure buttons, which align with the body’s own acupressure points, in which the nodes are made of hard-texture plastic and the remaining parts are soft-texture plastic. These two parts of module are permanently sewn onto the inner garments. Each pellet is inserted a motor which arranged in a form of parallel circuit. There are wires connecting the motors and switches. There are four switches controlling four sets of acupuncture points. Two are located at the right and left arms respectively for targeting the massage-related acupuncture points on arms. When flapping on the sleeves, users are receiving massage to their arms. The other one is located on the shoulder for controlling the vibration of pellet at back. The remaining one is located at abdomen for controlling the fitness-related acupuncture points. Each massage section is ended for ten minutes. You have to flap it once again or more if you want for a long duration massage

With AcuMas-D, an individual can send signal by pressing the switch to start the acupressure treatment they need. The motors are driven by the lithium-ion battery and a battery box is installed onto the inner part.

Automatic wrist sphygmomanometer is installed either left or right hand to measure the fluctuation of blood pressure level. Most importantly, the cooperation of massage function and sphygmomanometer can perform a monitoring function of blood pressure, especially for patients who suffering from hypertension and hypotension problems.

The outer layer is used for covering the nodes and its appearance likes a normal garment that to preserve users’ privacy and reduce the others’ awareness of this. Furthermore, the outer and inner layer are connected by zips, which enables users to separate two layers for washing and changing the outer layer into the clothes they like.

The acupressure actuator is permanently installed within inner and outer garment; meanwhile there is a restriction of getting away from water on account of the inner components materials nature, like out of function when the motor gets wet. Indeed, we understand people’ concern of hygienic unwashed clothes. Though the materialistic constraints induce such dilemma, it is resolved by the ‘gifts’ of rapid technology growth. In accordance with LG Styler, it is described as a unique product designed for both washable and dry-cleanable clothes. In other words, it can clean clothes without using water and detergent. As if customers need to wash their inner clothes, we will provide free service in our support centre.


Retrieve from:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/home/lgs-new-washing-machine-doesnt-use-water-or-detergent/#!zNOed

5. Tentative technology and materials to be used
 
Technology:
i) Acupuncture point theory mixed with acupressure method performed by touch therapy.
ii) 3D- body scanning
iii) Matching system- computing the 3D scan data to match with the acu-point for different customers’ figure

Materials:
i) Signals for operating AcuMas-D come from users and transmitted via conductive wires.
ii) The inner and outer garments are made of cotton.
iii) The wired acupuncture module are made of plastic materials, in
which the pellets consist of hard-texture plastics and flexible plastics
compose the remaining part of the module for easier sewing.
iv) Lithium-ion battery
v) Zip
vi) Motors
vii) Switches
viii) Automatic wrist sphygmomanometer


6. Execution plan

 

1. Collecting users’ body scan
data with the help of 3D body scanner and manufacture suitable garments based
on this.

2. Matching the acupuncture points with users’ body figures and starting to produce the pellets.

3. The position of the pellets are calculated by the computer and acupressure module are produced by 3D printer. Then, fix the acupressure pellets by sewing to the inner garments.

4. Use the zip to stick the inner garment and outer garment as the pellets is fixed in the middle of these two

 

The detailed schedule is drawn as follows:





7. Reference
1. 3D Body Scanner. College of Human Ecology, Cornell University. http://bodyscan.human.cornell.edu/scene0037.html


2. CrunchWear. “MyChi Sportswear uses the magic of acupuncture to keep you fit.””

http://www.crunchwear.com/mychi-sportswear-uses-the-magic-of-acupuncture-to-keep-you-fit/


3. Ecouterre. MyChi Sportswear Uses “Acupressure Buttons” to Boost Athletic Performance.

http://www.ecouterre.com/mychi-sportswear-uses-acupressure-buttons-to-improve-athletic-performance/

4. Fibre2fashion. “Buttons on sports clothing line for acupressure treatment.”

http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/apparel-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=114143 

5. Osim:
http://www.osim.com/HK/product/udurian-handheld-massager.aspx?category_id=16229D22-8388-40D2-9539-42C29678C17B


6. Digital Tends. LG’s new washing machine doesn’t use water or detergent
http://www.digitaltrends.com/home/lgs-new-washing-machine-doesnt-use-water-or-detergent/#!zNOed



 

2014年2月14日 星期五


Spray-on Fabric

                        invented by Manel Torres
 
 

 
The problem of wearing what clothes, with what pants to create fresh and impressive images is faced throughout our everyday lives. With the invention of spray-on fabric technology, which is one of "The 50 Best Inventions of 2010" (Belinda Luscombe, 2010), we are able to design and contrive our garments by the use of spray cans. It comes out in the form we desire and becomes our unique clothes to solve this problem.




When I first began this project I really wanted to make a futuristic, seamless, quick and comfortable material (Priya Ganapati, 2010), says Manel Torres,
who invents Spray-on Fabric technology through interdisciplinary research, linking engineering, design and material science (with the collaboration between Imperial College London and his company called Fabrican). Aware of the slow process of constructing garments, this instant, “sprayable” and non-woven fabric is created by him to speed up this process. The principle of spraying textiles straight onto a body or dress form is bonding and liquefying fibers. “The fabric is formed by cross-linking fibers, which cling to one another to create the garment, says Fabrican (Priya Ganapati, 2010)”. It consists of short fibers combined with polymers to bind them together and dissolved in a solvent that delivers the fabric in liquid form (Emilie Marmey, 2013). It can be sprayed by either a spray gun or an aerosol can. The solvent evaporates when the spray touches the surface and then the fibers bond and adhere to form a snug-fitting garment. It can be peeled off, washed and re-worn, as well as molded or tailored to meet the needs of wearers.


Dr. Manel Torres demonstrating the Fabrican
photo by Miguel Sobreira

 


“As a non-woven material, Spray-on Fabric offers possibilities for binding, lining, repairing, layering, covering and moulding in ways previously not imaginable. (Emilie Marmey, 2013)”. Not just for clothing and fashion, using aerosol technology to create garments has been developed for use in household, industrial, decorative and personal and health care applications, positively impacting the lives of millions of people and the environment.



Fashion is opened to everyone. Aerosol technology enables designers to create unique garments with different colors and materials that are hardly joined together by traditional knitting. Materials can be combined in infinite combinations and hence creates a variety of textures. Designers’ creative ideas can come true to create innovative products. This carrier technology also allows every individuals to create their own clothes with different colors and patterns easily and instantly. Thus, it opens new vistas for personalized fashion. Fashion is no longer too far for us to reach because garments can be made at anytime and anywhere, even just an impromptu design. “The method of spraying, Torres says, gives designers and consumers immense flexibility to hand-craft a wide range of apparel, such as shirts, coats and undergarments, on the fly. (Tuan C. Nguyen, 2013)”. Due to its great flexibility, we can customize our clothes, such as creating additional pockets and patterns. “Spray-on fabric permits the use of innovative shapes, varying thicknesses, and biomimetic forms unobtainable by any other means. (Fabrican Ltd, 2013)”.  In consequence, same garments can have different new looks whenever we want according to our needs.



(Left) fashion show at the Imperial College London
(Right) detail of dress
photo by Ian Cole


Our lives can be more convenient and fun with this novel fabric. When using this technology, the process of constructing garments in traditional way can be speeded up through a seamless way. Some clothes which have specific usages, such as the uniform of athletes, doctors, the police and firemen can be incorporated and updated with the latest and advanced functions by using this technology. For instance, high-visibility patches for cyclists can be created by reflective material (Fabrican Ltd, 2013). The garments can be bound, repaired and moulded handily. Moreover, the standard sizes provided by various brands may be different and may not fit everyone’s body shape perfectly. The trouble of finding suitable clothes from the standardized sizes can be solved by this fabric which would almost magically fit the body like a second skin, and meanwhile, have the appearance of clothing. It can also be a 3D sketch tool to measure the body sizes accurately so as to customize the size of your desired clothes.






Nonetheless, some people may concern the solid waste problem by reason of the fast speed of production process. Since fabrics can be produce instantly and easily, tremendous unused clothes will be discarded. By repairing and recycling aging clothes, the solid waste problem can be solved. “The material themselves can be dissolved into the same solvent and re-sprayed again and again. (LYBIO.NET, 2012)” Spray-on Fabric can be quickly transformed into a new clothing item, and hence the aging fabrics and materials can be reused and will not become waste. For the financial consideration, the production cost of this is relatively lower than purchasing clothes outside since we can re-dissolve the unwanted garments. Consequently, a few different fabrics can be sprayed out by same can of solvent to lower the cost of purchasing raw materials.


It can be re-dissolved.

 
Because of its flexible adhesive properties, it is useful in medical aspect. It can be used in developing new types of wound healing products, bandages, casts and transdermal patches in a sterile environment by adding certain additives. It is convenient to bring along this carrier technology in the ambulance for delivery of fragrance or medical active substances. Since just a few cans of spray-on fabric needed, it can reduce the space required for storing large amounts of bandages and patches, and provide space for carrying other vital medical machines in order to meet different patients’ needs. These novel wound healing products contain drugs which basically help patients healing the wound faster. The advantage of it over the traditional one is that it can be sprayed out immediately to cover and fit the wound perfectly like a second skin, while providing better protections and various degrees of toughness. New transdermal patches can be used for non-invasive medical treatment, such as drug delivery through penetration; and for aesthetic purposes, for example, patients can spray out patches that match their skin tone to better hide the patch.
 



Different materials can be added in it to produce different texture.
 
 

 
For household use, several household products can be created from a can instantly by adding or synthesizing various new components in the liquid suspension. Creating hygiene covers is one of the example. For instance, the waterproof, yet flexible, soft and long lasting coverings created for mattresses, pillows and cushions are ideally suited for hotels and hospitals, since there are lots of covers of beds, pillows and so forth required to change frequently. Moreover, we can replace the products that likely to be filled with germs with a new sterile one constantly instead of washing them again and again, such as the tea towels used in kitchen. Also, spray-on fabric can perform the same function as pesticide. With the addition of substances from pesticide, we can spray a patch on the wall which can catch insects by attracting and adhering them on it.
 
 

Patches
 

Besides, to promote personal hygiene, the clothes we wear can add handy non-woven fabrics as deodorant pads or liners. It can be removed and replaced whenever we want. Therefore, we can lower the numbers of clothes, underwear and socks we bring when go travelling so as to reduce space required in luggage.


 
 
On account of the mission of Fabrican, which is to develop prototype and innovative products in collaboration with partners from various sectors, aerosol technology will have more and more different applications in the future. However, Spray-on Fabric is not the first technology using the idea of spraying as Spray-on hair, Spray-on latex body paint (NSFW) and Spray-on Skin are the previous technologies using this concept. In 1990, Ron Popeil's factory unleashed Spray-on hair (Goog Looking Hair, 1990), which aims at filling in those thin see-through spots and building up bald spot with tiny life-like fibers. It binds the thin or wispy hair and increases its size by 5 to 6 times. So, “Instant hair” can be gained from a can to solve the alopecia.


Before 
                                                                                                           After
 

Furthermore, Spray-on latex body paint is a temporary body art that lasts for a few hours only. It can cover a large area of ​​the human body with a smooth appearance. Artists liberate to spray a variety of media, including paints, inks, dyes, and even makeup using airbrush.







Additionally, Spray-on skin is developed by scientist Marie Stoner and plastic surgeon Dr Fiona Wood of Perth, Western Australia to perform "scarless woundless healing" (Wikipedia, 2013). This project is on-going and its goal targets to explore tissue engineering and moved from growing skin sheets to spraying skin cells. This is a skin culturing treatment for burns victims, which can shorten the days required to produce enough cells to cover major burns by 16 days.






                                              
Spray-on-skin-gerlach
 


Despite using the same spray-on concept, they are vary in the features and scope of applications. The spray-on concept of the aerosol technology has been further improved and become applicable in many other areas and industries. Spray-on hair has only one application and need to reapply continuously to restore the pretty appearance of “hair” since it washes out in shampoo. People with the problem of going bald may think it is troublesome and inconvenient, and hence may use the other more convenient ways and products to replace it. Even though the advanced body painting is less prone to chipping off, the lasting period is short. Additionally, the spray-on skin project is still on-going, it cannot conclude whether its functions is successful or not but the idea is innovative. In contract, Spray-on Fabric has wide applications and a long lasting period that can be washed and stored in closet. It is more durable. The scope and areas of spray-on skin and fabrics are different but spray-on fabrics has great potentials to expand its applicable aspects in the future.



It can be peeled off, washed and re-worn.


Torres has deemed “ready for production, (Tuan C. Nguyen, 2013)” to indicate this technology using for producing garments is no longer in the prototype stage but the prototype of further applications are still testing. Despite its wide applications in numerous areas, some problems of the technology is still needed to be worked out. For instance, the strong smell of solvent around the fabric. What is more, producing tight-fitting clothing can be its selling point but meanwhile is its challenge. For the people who are facing overweight and obesity problems, they may not want to wear snug clothes due to their external physical appearance. This spray-on fabric may not suitable for everyone. If these problems can be solved, this technology will be even more popular in manufacturing clothes and can widely apply in different areas
 


Fashion was our starting point, but we’re now also realizing the technology has so many applications that can benefit other industries, (Tuan C. Nguyen, 2013) says Torres.
By incorporating nano-technology in smart fabrics and the use of Spray-on skin in the medical and cosmetic industry and so on, the technology invented by Fabrican will have a huge potential to revolutionize the future development of various industries. Due to the variety of substances able to be dispensed through today's aerosol technology, garments can be combined by different materials for different uses. It can easily spray on to any surface, which enables tailoring according to the needs of the customers in order to make life more convenient, healthier and fun (Fabrican Ltd, 2013). Different parties will gain mutual benefits through the development of Spray-on Fabric technology and it has future growth potential.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Relevant videos on Youtube:

1.      Fabrican Ltd on the Discovery Channel
      (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKZuPPjoxHQ)
2.      Instant flowers! Manel Torres 2011 Fabrican
       (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48Zz0ZbeCEY)
3.      Fabrican instant T-shirt part of MT technology
       (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cgHIS7cpYI)
4.      Science in Style
      (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEN82Ebrqyk)
5.      Spray-On Fabric: Manel Torres at TEDxImperialCollege (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW6Gv-IoErw)
6.      Spray-on arm cast. Fabrican Ltd
       (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CpxHuvN_iI)
7.      Video spray-on T-shirt
       (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSZlHqXGz7I)
8.      1990's INFOMERCIAL HELL #19: Spray paint the bald away with GLH, by Ronco, of course!
      (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GeF7A05zQ8)
 
                                                     

Reference:

Belinda Luscombe (2010). The 50 Best Inventions of 2010: Spray-On Fabric. Time Magazine, 22 November issue.
 
Priya Ganapati (2010). Make Clothes Out of a Can With Spray-On Fabric. Wired.com. Retrieved from: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/09/spray-on-fabric/.
 
 
Emilie Marmey (2013). Spray-on Fabric. FashionLab. Retrieved from: http://fashionlab.3ds.com/spray-on-fabric/.
 
Tuan C. Nguyen (2013). This Spray-On Fabric Is a Wardrobe In a Can. Smithsonianmag.com. Retrieved from: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/this-spray-on-fabric-is-a-wardrobe-in-a-can-180947851/#ixzz2tCiEsqbT.
 
Fabrican Ltd (2013). Retrieved from: http://www.fabricanltd.com/index.php.
 
 
Good Looking Hair (1990). Retrieved from: http://www.glh.biz/.
 
Wikipedia (2013). Spray-on Skin. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spray-on_skin.