• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.17-29
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• 2020

This study aimed to produce fiber stretch sensors for smart soccer socks to prevent injuries during training. A sensor was manufactured with stretchable fabric and tested to ensure convenience during training. In order to manufacture the fiber stretch sensor, a CNT dispersion solution was applied to an e-band and elastic polyester fabric, and the performance of the sensors was evaluated by a tensile test. Performance evaluation showed that both of the tested fabrics are excellent for this purpose. Both sensors were attached to socks to create prototype wearable devices, and an experiment was conducted to determine whether a resistance change accompanying relaxation and contraction of the gastrocnemius muscle could be detected. In order to accurately evaluate performance as a sensor, the fabric was stretched 20 times at low speeds of 1 Hz and 0.5 Hz. A change in resistance due to tension was observed, with both the E-band and the stretchable poly fabric showing high sensitivity and high reproducibility. Both can be used as relaxation/contraction sensors. Smart soccer socks were made using the two materials, and an evaluation was conducted. Tensile tests were done on the smart soccer socks; the tests were done 20 times per sock, and the sensor showed a stable resistance change between 30 and 40 ohms depending on the tension of the sensor. As a result, we confirmed that smart soccer socks with stretch sensors made of E-bands can measure changes in the gastrocnemius muscle.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.129-138
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• 2021

This study aimed to determine the effects of the shape and attachment position of stretchable textile sensors coated with carbon nanotube on their performance when used to measure children's joint movements. Moreover, the child-safe requirements for fabric motion sensors are established. The child participants were advised to wear integrated clothing equipped with the sensors of various shapes (rectangular and boat-shaped) and attachment positions (at the knee and elbow joints or 4 cm below the joints). The voltage change induced by the elongation and contraction of the fabric sensors was determined for arm and leg flexion-extension motions at 60 deg/s (three measurements of 10 repeats each for 60°and 90°angles, for a total of 60 repetitions). Their dependability was determined by comparing the fabric motion sensors to the associated acceleration sensors. The experimental results indicate that the rectangular-shaped sensor affixed 4 cm below the joint is the most effective fabric motion sensor for measuring children's arm and leg motions. In this study, we designed a textile sensor capable of tracking children's joint motion and analyzed the sensor shape and attachment position on motion sensing clothing. We demonstrated that flexible fabric sensors integrated into garments may be used to detect the joint motions of the human body.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.141-150
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the shape and attached position of E-textile-based stretchable sensors on motion-sensing performance and to investigate the requirements for the optimal structure of clothes for sensing limb motions. An experimental garment was prepared with different sensor shapes, and attachment positions. A child subject, wearing the experimental garment, performed arm and leg bending and extension motions at $60^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$ and $120^{\circ}$ motion angles, at a rate of 60 deg/sec. The changes in voltage triggered by the stretching and contracting of the fabric-sensor were measured, and an acceleration sensor was utilized to verify that the experimental motions were correctly performed. Dummy arms and legs of a child were manufactured to perform an identical test, in order to compare the dummy results with the actual human body experiment results. The analysis showed that the reproducibility and reliability of the rectangular sensor, showing uniform and stable were higher than those of the boat-shaped sensor, in both the dummy and the human body experiments. The attachment position of the sensor was more reproducible and reliable when placed on 4 cm below the elbow and knee joints in the dummy test, when placed in the joints of the elbow and knee, in children experiment. The appropriate shapes and attached positions of the sensor for sensing the motions were analyzed, and the results proved that motion-sensing of the human body is possible by utilizing flexible fabric-sensors integrated into clothes.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.165-176
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to develop clothing-type wearable motion sensing and feedback systems to enhance children's sports by promoting visual and audio feedback. In this study, several applications, such as fabric sensors, sportswear integrated with various types of fabric sensors, and fabric-based motion sensing module design, as well as a visual and audio feedback system for gaining a better understanding of a child's interest in a type of exercise, were developed. An SWCNT-based stretchable fabric sensor was developed for motion sensing, and sportswear was designed using the fabric sensor that was integrated into the limbs of the garment. The sensing module was developed, and sensory performance was evaluated through a joint motion experiment for children. In addition, using the feedback system that was developed in the form of an accessory, the responses of light and sound were also examined based on the movement of the child who was wearing the sportswear prototypes. This study focused on the development and assessment of prototype designs for children's sportswear and accessory products that can help to ascertain a child's interest in a particular exercise.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.156-169
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to develop lightweight, stretchable, tight-fit smart sportswear using the conductive yarns into the garment and demonstrating its usefulness. Sportswears with the ability to control LEDs with respect to lighting of the surrounding were developed by applying embroidery with conductive yarns to 2 types of men's T-shirts and 2 types of women's leggings pants for outdoor activities and exercise purposes. LEDs were applied to the front and back of men's T-shirts and to the rear of the waist of women's leggings. Men's T-shirts were printed where the LEDs were to be applied, and inside, they were embroidered with conductive threads on the hot-melt fabric to be attached, and then connected with LED. Women's pants were embroidered on the elastic band, in the form of a sine wave that gives it ability to stretch, and finally the elastic band was hidden inside the waistband. The operation of the light sensor in the dark provided the ability to protect joggers from night drivers or cyclists. LEDs were activated when the wearer turns on the fashionable device on his/her shoulder by pressing it. It was able to reduce the risk of accidents by giving recognizability to vehicles, bicycles, and athletes approaching or passing by at night, and securing safe distance from vehicles, etc. Internal embroidery technology had the same flexible and lightweight functions as ordinary clothing products, making it possible to apply to tight-fit smart T-shirts or leggings pants designs.