Healing textiles developed

In Germany researchers have invented clothes that heal and nourish the body while you wear them. These clothes include ladies' tights that feed vitamins A, B and C directly into the legs and shirts embedded with tiny particles of soothing balm to aid people who suffer of rheumatism.

The scientists involved say that their smart clothes - heated jackets and internet-linked dresses - bridge the gap between wellness and fashion. Dirk Hoefer, of the Medical Textiles Research Institute near Stuttgart, said: "We are making clothes that make you better when you wear them." He teamed up with drug companies and textile manufacturers to impregnate fabrics with creams for people with dermatitis, rheumatism and other aches and pains.

By spraying microscopic particles of lotions and creams on to fabrics treated to respond to different atmospheric temperatures, the lotions are released gradually "directly into the body and bloodstream, bringing quicker relief than tablets and traditional balms", he said.

The Institute for Textile Technology in Aachen has developed a shirt with a computer mouse in the breast pocket lining that is manipulated by touch. The mouse can tell the shirt to release anti-ultra-violet radiation protection to the wearer on a sunny day.

Trevira, the polymer specialist, has developed technology for textiles that kill bacteria in sweaty sports clothes, underwear and shoes that is still effective after 100 washes, while Frank Grenzel, the teddy bear maker, has used the nanoparticle technique to impregnate his bears with a perfume that is released when a child hugs it.