AILEEN’S UNIFORM ATLAS
The Pulse is pleased to present Aileen’s Uniform Atlas, a recurring feature written by Aileen Out.
Out is the owner of Prettybusiness, a news blog in the Netherlands that focuses exclusively on work clothing.
Nanotechnology has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. This technology offers a wide range of possibilities, from enhancing the protection your clothing provides to even sharing information with your colleagues. It plays a significant role in the development of military uniforms. In both Australia and the United States, they are actively experimenting with nanotechnology.
Protection, Analysis, and Communication
In September, Australian researchers unveiled a military uniform that could give their troops an edge over their opponents. The uniform is made from a lightweight fabric that not only breathes but also protects against chemical and biological threats by filtering harmful particles from the environment.
The U.S. military is taking it a step further. In 2002, they established the MIT Institute for Nanotechnologies. The goal of this research center is to improve the protection, survival, and mission capabilities of soldiers, as well as the platforms and systems that support them. In 2021, they announced the development of a fabric using nanotechnology that can measure and analyze the physical condition of a soldier and transmit this information to others. Additionally, it can track locations and even generate energy.
This means that colleagues can be immediately alerted if a soldier is injured, making it easier to save lives. Medical data, such as irregular heart rates or decreased breathing, can also be detected and transmitted.
Nanotechnology is (Not Yet) a Dream Come True
If this technology is widely implemented, it could revolutionize the workwear and uniform industry. After all, who wouldn’t want to be protected from chemicals and quickly rescued by colleagues if injured?
However, it will take some time before this becomes a reality. Although nanofibers are so thin they can fit through a needle, they are also fragile. Currently, the fabric developed by the U.S. military only lasts through ten washes. Moreover, this nanotechnology makes clothing heavier, which is impractical for soldiers in the field.
Beyond the functional aspects, there are also questions about how to manage so much information. Privacy laws are in place, but how do they apply in the workplace? Is it permissible to collect more information in life-threatening situations? And what happens if someone doesn’t want to share their data? In addition, the fabrics need to be made lighter. Otherwise, the chances are slim that soldiers will want to wear this at all.
Many questions remain unanswered, but one thing is certain: nanotechnology is here to stay and will only become more prevalent. The answers will come in time.
