posted 02-18-2009 10:43 AM               

Japan Firms to Develop Sportswear Based on Fabrics for Space

Synthetic fiber maker Toray Industries Inc. and sportswear wholesaler Goldwin Inc. on Tuesday announced that they would collaborate with Professor Yoshiko Taya of Japan Women's University to develop sportswear based on fabric technologies developed for space.

Last year the two companies worked with Professor Taya to develop clothing for space on behalf of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Since spaceships are filled with precision instrumentation, it was important to design a fabric that did not generate static electricity. It also had to be fire-resistant, heat-retaining and with antibacterial properties.

Using the technologies developed for clothing in the extreme environment of space, the partners will develop sportswear that can be worn here on earth for long periods of time without washing and still not smell. Another possible application is in uniforms worn by people like caregivers.

Toray and Goldwin will set up a research institute with Professor Taya in April with the goal of having commercial products ready within 12 months. Toray will take the main responsibility for developing fabrics and Goldwin will design and make the clothing.

posted 02-18-2009 11:16 AM               

Development of clothing for astronauts aboard spacecraft

JAXA has been conducting the Aerospace Open Lab Program since June 2004. This program is one of JAXA's space development support measures, aiming for establishing a foundation for easier access to the current or future space development programs. Currently, 25 joint research projects are ongoing as part of the program.

Development of clothing for astronauts aboard spacecraft, known as "crew cabin clothing," is one of the research themes. This research is run by the "Near-Future Space-Living Unit" group led by Prof. Yoshiko Taya of Japan Women's University.

The goal of this research group is to develop crew cabin clothing that meets the safety requirements for spaceflight, and that ensures the following functions:

• Thermal comfort
  
• Cleanliness
  
• Mobility
  
• Beautiful clothing contour
  
• Lightweight and compact design

Clothing developed by this research group will be launched aboard STS-123. During the mission, JAXA astronaut Takao Doi will wear the various clothing types developed by the group to evaluate the comfort and functionality of the clothing.

The group has developed clothing materials with the following properties required for crew cabin clothing:

• Heat insulation
  
• Water-absorption
  
• Quick evaporation
  
• Antibacterial
  
• Odor elimination
  
• Antistatic
  
• Antifouling
  
• Soft and comfortable to skin

In addition to those properties, non-sewing technology has given the clothing softness and wearable comfort. Cutting technology has improved the way the clothing fits and moves as the crew works in space.

The group has also developed a hook & loop fastener with fire retardant properties and fabricated with soft touch materials.