http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/berg/fpcj/2009/00000001/00000001/art00003?crawler=true

Abstract:

This article explores an ongoing interdisciplinary research project at the cutting edge of aroma and medical work, which seeks to change the experience of fragrance to a more intimate communication of identity, by employing emerging technologies with the ancient art of perfumery and the growing trend of complementary therapies.The project investigates the interface between the arts and biomedical sciences, around new emerging technologies and science platforms and their applications in the domain of health and well-being and the impact it may have on the fashion industry.A new movement in functional “holistic” clothing that incorporates sensory systems of precisely metered fragrance delivery and release is discussed called “Scentsory Design.” It focuses on the development of responsive fashion that changes with emotion, introducing clothes and footwear that are designed for psychological end benefit to reduce stress.In this article, the known affective potential of the sense of smell is discussed, by introducing “Aroma-Chology” as a tool that is worn as an emotional support system to create a personal “scent bubble” around the body, with the capacity to regulate mood, physiological and psychological state, and improve self-confidence in social situations. The clothing formulates a “healing platform” around the end user by creating novel olfactory experiences in textiles that are not as passive as current capsulated capsule systems.Further items discussed include luminescent footwear derived on the benefits of light therapy and inspired by reflexology. A pair of shoes were developed that offers emotional well-being, by introducing “Walking Therapies,” which massage reflexology points on the foot, enabling the act of walking to be healing.

Keywords: scent; emotional well-being; multi-sensory; complementary therapies; MEMS

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE55H2BT20090618

LONDON (Reuters) – Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova presented a prototype dress to reporters that is designed to light up when the wearer’s mobile telephone rings. British fashion student Georgie Davies dreamed up the knee-length short-sleeved white dress as part of a school project with mobile phone-maker Sony Ericsson to figure out ways of incorporating new technology into fashion. Davies said the dress is designed to eventually be connected to the wearer’s phone by Bluetooth wireless technology, so she can be alerted to a call even in noisiest of places. “When you’re in a pub or a bar, you can never, ever hear your phone,” 20-year-old Davies told Reuters on Wednesday. One shoulder of the dress down to the hip is embellished with translucent white scales that move and light up. Sharapova showed off the dress to a gaggle of photographers and a crowd of passers-by from the window of a luxury department store in central London. (Reporting by Catherine Bosley; Editing by Paul Casciato)

http://www.physorg.com/news163474344.html#

“The technology will provide the location of the individual wearing the shoes within 30 feet, anywhere on the planet,” said Andrew Carle, an assistant professor at George Mason University who served as an advisor on the project.

“Sixty percent of individuals afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease will be involved in a ‘critical wandering incident’ at least once during the progression of the disease — many more than once,” he said Friday.

The shoes are being developed by GTX Corp., which makes miniaturized Global Positioning Satellite tracking and location-transmitting technology, and Aetrex Worldwide, a footwear manufacturer.

Carle said embedding a GPS device in a shoe was important because Alzheimer’s victims tend to remove unfamiliar objects placed on them but getting dressed is one of the last types of memory they retain.

He said a “geo-fence” could be placed around a person’s home and a “Google Map” alert sent to a cell phone, home or office computer when a programmed boundary is crossed.

“The shoe we intend on developing with Aetrex should help authorized family members, friends, or caretakers reduce their stress and anguish by enabling them to locate their loved ones instantly with the click of a mouse,” said Chris Walsh, chief operating officer of GTX Corp.

The companies said they plan to begin testing the product by the fourth quarter of the year.

(c) 2009 AFP

http://www.gizmag.com/oled-data-glasses-give-wearers-an-eyeful/11885/

You don’t need to work for the secret service or as a jet fighter pilot to appreciate the sheer convenience – and craftiness – of being able to grab hold of crucial information, without so much as lifting a finger or batting an eyelid. Students at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany are developing a pair of interactive data eyeglasses that can project an image onto the retina from an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) micro-display, making the image appear as if it’s a meter in front of the wearer. While similar headwear only throws up a static image, the students are working on eye-tracking technology that allows wearers, with just the movement of the eyeball, to scroll through information or move elements about.

While similar headwear – sometimes referred to as head-mounted displays (HMDs) – only throws up a static image, the students are working on eye-tracking technology that allows wearers, with just the movement of the eyeball, to scroll through information or move elements about.

The glasses are designed to provide information to wearers who don’t have their hands free to operate a keyboard or mouse.

Dr Michael Scholles, business unit manager at the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS) in Dresden, believes these devices have a ready-made application in the medical field where they could be used to quickly project vital patient information or medical imaging to doctors during a consultation or surgery.

Scholles also sees applications in the construction industry where the glasses could be used to project drawings or installation instructions.

As the image needs to outshine the ambient light to be seen clearly against changing and highly contrasting backgrounds, OLEDs have been used to produce a high-luminance micro-display.

While existing data glasses only display information, the German students are hoping to make the micro-display technology bi-directional and interactive, which will open up new uses, says Scholles. The eye-tracking device the students are working on – which is fitted to the hinge of the glasses – will enable users to influence the content projected by simply moving their eyes or fixing on certain points in the image.

New content can be displayed and menus can be scrolled through or picture elements shifted. According to Scholles, they have concentrated on making the glasses inexpensive as well as small and light – the system’s eye tracker and image reproduction integrated into the CMOS chip measure 19.3mm by 17mm.

David Greig

http://www.instructables.com/id/Light-for-life-Shining-bright-cycling-jacket/

E3 2009: Project Natal Milo demo