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Solar panels embedded
in clothes can charge HeiQ Pure SPQR - Triple action
mobile phone
Nottingham Trent University has developed a way to invisible to the naked eye and cannot be felt by the sustainable odour control technology
embed miniaturized solar cells into yarn that can be wearer. For all intents and purposes, garments
knitted and woven into textiles. Tiny solar cells the appear exactly the same as any other form of
size of a flea can allow wearers to generate electricity clothing despite having the capability to generate
on the move and charge items like mobile phones electricity.
and smart-watches.
Embedding miniaturized solar cells into yarn, clothing
The technology has been tested and proven to and fabric can be created that generate power in a
charge a mobile phone and a Fitbit. The cells are sustainable way. Up to 200 miniaturized cells can
encapsulated in a resin which allows the textile fabric generate 2.5-10 volts and up to 80 miliwatts in power.
to be washed and worn like any other form of The university’s Advanced Textiles Research Group
clothing. Measuring only three millimetres in length made a proof of concept textile of 5cm by 5cm size
and 1.5 millimetres in width, the cells are almost with 200 cells.
Worn Again Technologies
Cyndi Rhoades, Circular
Economy Awards finalist The two Swiss innovators, Odlo and HeiQ are co-launching HeiQ Pure SPQR, a triple-action sustainable odour
control technology for functional performance clothing, another innovation in the HeiQ Fresh Tech product
family. The new product has been in the development for the past three years and will be engineered into
For the Circular Economy Awards, Leadership industry conferences and colleges, informing Odlo’s Spring/Summer 2020 next-to-skin products.
Award Category, Ms Cyndi Rhoades, CEO Worn government policies and holding training sessions
Again Technologies (London based) has been for those outside of the industry, unrelentingly Delivering a triple action for odour control efficency, HeiQ Pure SPQR is derived from renewable and recycled
selected. The award honors those who have pursuing the shared vision of a circular resource sources: first, with only one-tenth of silver-ion content as compared to general silver-based odour control
demonstrated inspirational leadership in the journey world. The company concluded, “Cyndi is proud to treatments, it is able to effectively impair the metabolism of bacteria (the process that turns odourless sweat
towards a circular economy and the winner will be be a Circular Economy Awards finalist and will into body odour). This is due to the second action – bio-based amino sugar polymer anchors silver-ions to
announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos. continue to be a champion and leader for the amplify their performance and durability. And third, at a microscopic level, the amino sugar polymer creates a
circular economy.” durable barrier film around the fiber, preventing odour compounds from sticking on the textile. Thus, garments
According to the company, Cyndi Rhoades has can be washed easily at low temperature, which extends the usable life of the garment and
been an early visionary of technology as a key The Circulars, an initiative of the World Economic is more sustainable.
enabler to a circular textiles future. Worn Again Forum and the Forum of Young Global Leaders, in
Technologies began its pioneering textiles recycling collaboration with Accenture Strategy, is the world’s Mr Høgberg added, “We have tested odour control treatments from multiple suppliers. The result from the
technology over seven years ago. Since then, premier circular economy award programme. The Odlo-HeiQ co-innovation is by far better than anything else we find in the market today.”
Cyndi and the Worn Again Technologies Senior award offers recognition to individuals and
Team, have been galvanizing industry support, organizations across the globe that are making Mr Carlo Centonze, co-founder and CEO of HeiQ said, “It’s with great pride that we fulfil our promise to our late
building strategic partnerships and increasing notable contributions to the circular economy in the mentor Odd Lofteroed Jr. to never give up and never be content with the status quo. Once again with Odlo we
awareness of this topic through speaking at private sector, public sector and society. are one step ahead of our competitors in providing a better and more sustainable odour control solution.”
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