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Space in your wardrobe?
 
28 March 2003

The ‘Antarctic Jacket’ keeps you warm at minus 50°C
The ‘Antarctic Jacket’ is designed with the same concept as the ‘Absolute Zero Jacket’, where the material ‘aerogel’ is used to guarantee maximum insulation of the body in extreme conditions, with comfortable protection down to a temperature of minus 50°C. The jacket is designed and produced by Corpo Nove and Hugo Boss.

Credits: Corpo Nove
 
  From minus 50°C to over a 100 km per hour
 
Frozen snow to absolute zero
‘Absolute Zero’ is a jacket developed to protect against harsh environmental conditions. It is based on Aerogel, the best insulating material in the world. Aerogel was used to insulate space probes sent to Mars. It is the only material that can insulate down to minus 50°C and melts at 3000°C. It is also the lightest solid in the world and in its purest form can float on air. Its appearance is similar to dry ice and has been called ‘frozen smoke’. The jacket was designed and developed by Corpo Nove through its research and development lab, Grado Zero Espace, Italy.

Credits: Corpo Nove
 
 
A cooling system derived from astronauts' suits ensures comfort in fire-proof suits

Credits: Courtesy West McLaren Mercedes
 
  Dampening shoes take the strain from running
 
Run safer with space
Latest research in optimising the performance of sport shoes is underway at ESA and a shoe manufacturer. The shoe’s sole changes its stiffness depending on the type of ground it encounters to dampen the impact on the wearer's foot.

Credits: Corpo Nove
 
  Mamagoose keeps sleeping babes safe and sound
 
Mamagoose baby pyjamas
Mamagoose baby pyjamas have built-in sensors and an electronic monitoring unit to detect Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), commonly known as cot death. The pyjamas include a small computer to process and collect data. When a symptom that characterises SIDS is identified an alarm is given. The pyjamas are made of washable non-allergic material and are designed to keep the sensors in place at all times. The Mamagoose pyjamas draw on technology used in two space applications: the analogue biomechanics recorder experiment and the respiratory inductive plethysmograph suit.

Credits: Verhaert
 
 
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