A heating and/or cooling device having one or more thermoelectric threads. The thermoelectric thread includes a plurality of individual thermoelectric elements, each thermoelectric element having a first side and a second side. A set of first side electrodes connects at least some of the thermoelectric elements at the first side, and a set of second side electrodes connects at least some of the thermoelectric elements at the second side. An electrically insulative covering at least partially surrounds the plurality of individual thermoelectric elements. The electrically insulative covering is configured to be woven into or otherwise integrated with a fabric.

A fishing line having (a) multiple UHMWPE fibers and (b) at least one fluoropolymer fiber comprising expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. Also, a method of making a braided fishing line comprising the steps, in order, of forming a braided fiber by braiding UHMWPE fibers with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene fibers; heating the braided fiber; stretching the braided fiber while still heated; and cooling the stretched braided fiber.

Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are directed to articles of clothing that allow for monitoring of different analytes (e.g., electrolytes and molecules) in human sweat during fitness activity, while training, or simply in everyday life. The clothing includes a sensor system completely integrated in textile such that every sensing part is made of textile fibers. The clothing is able to control, collect, analyze, and expel the sweat over time. The textile sensor allows a spontaneous absorption of body sweat directly from the skin, while it is produced, using the hydrophilic natural properties of the textile. Then, once adsorbed, the flux of sweat is controlled and guided through the textile using a gradient of the textile's hydrophilic properties. The sweat guided through the textile is analyzed through an electrochemical sensor woven into the textile. Finally, the sweat is collected in a reservoir and expelled for evaporation.

A yarn which contains a composite yarn composed of a core part containing a short fiber and a sheath part containing a synthetic fiber filament yarn, the core part and the sheath part being integrated via fluff of the short fiber getting between or entangled with the long fibers, the specific gravity of the yarn being adjustable in the range of 1.0 or more, a fishing line containing the yarn, and a method for producing the fishing line. The present invention provides an ideal fishing line which has a strong core-sheath structure, does not allow separation or detachment of the core part and the sheath part, is easy to handle, and also is excellent in strength, weatherability, and water resistance.

A yarn which contains a composite yarn composed of a core part containing a short fiber and a sheath part containing a synthetic fiber filament yarn, the core part and the sheath part being integrated via fluff of the short fiber getting between or entangled with the long fibers, the specific gravity of the yarn being adjustable in the range of 1.0 or more, a fishing line containing the yarn, and a method for producing the fishing line. The present invention provides an ideal fishing line which has a strong core-sheath structure, does not allow separation or detachment of the core part and the sheath part, is easy to handle, and also is excellent in strength, weatherability, and water resistance.

A tennis racket with a more-responsive string configuration is an apparatus that allows a user to hit a tennis ball with spin and power in a controlled manner. The apparatus includes a closed-shape beam, a throat, an elongated handle, and a plurality of lines. The elongated handle allows the user to firmly grasp the apparatus, and the throat connects the elongated handle to the closed-shape beam. The plurality of lines is tensionably mounted within the closed-shape beam in order to provide the present invention with an elastic contact area for the tennis ball. Each of the plurality of lines includes a first string and a second string, which are positioned along each other for each of the plurality of lines. In addition, a lateral surface of the first string is positioned tangent to a lateral surface of the second string.

Provided is a polyethylene fiber having outstanding anti-creep characteristics while having high strength. The present invention provides an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber including ethyl branches as side chains, characterized in that the ratio {(C.sub.2H.sub.5/1000C)/(elongation stress)}; of the number of ethyl branches per 1,000 carbon atoms (C.sub.2H.sub.5/1000C) to the elongation stress of the polyethylene fiber (MPa) is 2 to 30 branches/1,000 carbon atoms/MPa.

A basketball net includes a multi-layer cord including each of an outer layer formed of a first antimicrobial, moisture wicking fiber and an inner layer including a second antimicrobial, moisture wicking fiber. The outer layer is woven from a first antimicrobial, moisture wicking yarn to form a wall that defines a central opening, and at least one cord is located within the central opening, the at least one cord formed by a second antimicrobial, moisture wicking yarn. The at least one cord includes a plurality of cords including a first cord formed by the second antimicrobial, moisture wicking yarn and a second cord including a third antimicrobial, moisture wicking yarn. The plurality of cords includes: the first cord; the second cord including the third antimicrobial, moisture wicking yarn and at least one monofiber yarn; and a third cord formed by a plurality of mono fiber yarns.