澳洲研發「智慧胸罩」，將為女性打造自我調節且適應各種環境的胸罩 | 'Smart bra': Australian engineers develop bionic bra with intelligent fabric

這對世界各地廣大的女性消費者來說絕對是個令人開心的事情。澳大利亞的工程師正在開發一種會自動調適支撐度的智慧胸罩。當進行大幅度的運動時，智慧胸罩將會自動收縮增加僅度進而給予更多支撐力；當處於靜止狀態時，智慧胸罩將自動放鬆，給予無束縛的舒適感受。

「Bionic Bra」(譯: 仿生胸罩) 外型與一般傳統胸罩並無差別，但內含高科技的運動傳感偵測系統。當乳房晃動或位移變得劇烈時，布料中的人工纖維將緊縮排列，給予胸罩更多的支撐力道以應付運動時的位移。當穿戴者站立或靜止不動時，胸罩將恢復到其正常的狀態，更舒舒適的結構。

胸罩的材質系採用仿人體肌肉的人造尼龍纖維組織，又被稱為「智能紗」。製作時以特定的方式捲繞，將尼龍的作用仿效人體的肌肉作用，給予人體強烈的支撐與拉扯力道。

參與研發的華勒斯教授表示：「這種材質能對應在運動時帶來的振動，進而收縮以應付大幅度的晃動」。

另一位小組成員生物力學專家朱莉·斯蒂爾表示到，不正確的乳房的支持可能導致對人體的長期病痛，包括背部和頸部等部位疼痛。

消息表示該小組已和相關設計師和時尚專家洽談合作，以完成他們的原型。

另外一位成員，斯蒂爾教授說道：「雖然我們已經取得了實質性的進展，我們還有很長的路要走，包括如何讓此胸罩可以採取更輕鬆的洗滌方式。但是，當完成後，此胸罩會大大轉變胸罩市場未來的發展」。

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Big and small-busted women the world over can rejoice. Australian engineers are developing a bra that tightens automatically when the wearer moves and relaxes when she is sitting or standing still.

The "bionic bra" will be shaped like a traditional over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder, but will contain sensors that detect breast movement. When breast bouncing becomes too extreme, artificial muscles integrated into the bra will kick in and restrict movement.

When the wearer is standing still or not moving much, the bra will revert to its normal, more comfortable, structure.

The bra's  artificial muscles are made of tightly coiled nylon fibres, known as "smart yarns".

When coiled in a certain way, the nylon acts like a muscle and contracts.

"They shrink and provide constriction in response to too much movement," Professor Wallace Professor Wallace said.

Another team member, biomechanist Julie Steele, said incorrect breast support could cause long-term injuries, including back and neck pain.

Breast Research Australia, a centre also based at UOW and which Professor Steele directs, found that 85 per cent of women wore bras that did not fit or support their breasts correctly.

The team are working with industrial designers and fashion experts to finalise their prototype.

"Although we have made substantial progress, we still have a way to go before the bionic bra can be taken from the bench top to the washing machine. However, when finished, the bionic bra will transform bra design," Professor Steele said.

Professor Wallace presented their bionic bra developments at the ninth  Australasian Biomechanics Conference at the University of Wollongong this week.

Source: brisbanetimes