A wettable SMS material for personal protective equipment, such as a SMS fabric that has been treated to improve the wettability and absorbency properties of the SMS fabric is provided. A treated SMS fabric for personal protective equipment can retain its durability, breathability, and comfort, and may also provide the fabric with wettability and absorption properties. An article for personal protective equipment formed from a wettable SMS fabric is also provided.

A color-changing product includes a fabric. The fabric includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is arranged using at least one fiber. The at least one fiber includes (a) an electrically conductive core and (b) a coating disposed around and along the electrically conductive core. The second layer is printed onto the first layer. The second layer includes a foreground thermochromic pigment that is selectively activatable by providing an electrical current to the electrically conductive core of the at least one fiber to change at least one of a foreground color or a pattern of the second layer.

A color-changing product includes a fabric. The fabric includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is arranged using at least one fiber. The at least one fiber includes (a) an electrically conductive core and (b) a coating disposed around and along the electrically conductive core. The second layer is printed onto the first layer. The second layer includes a foreground thermochromic pigment that is selectively activatable by providing an electrical current to the electrically conductive core of the at least one fiber to change at least one of a foreground color or a pattern of the second layer.

A color-changing product includes a fabric. At least a portion of the fabric includes or is arranged using at least one of (i) a color-changing fiber or (ii) a color-changing yarn including the color-changing fiber. The color-changing fiber includes an electrically conductive core having a first tensile strength, a reinforcement core having a second tensile strength that is greater than the first tensile strength, and a coating disposed around and along the electrically conductive core and the reinforcement core. The coating includes a polymeric material having a color-changing pigment.

Systems and methods are provided for monitoring object placement on a surface. The system includes a pressure-sensitive conductive sheet. The pressure-sensitive conductive sheet includes a stretchable fabric, having a plurality of fibers, and a conductive material positioned on a plurality of adjoining fibers of the stretchable fabric. The system further includes a 3-dimensional structure positioned under the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet. The 3-dimensional structure includes one or more depressions onto which the stretchable fabric can be stretched and the conductive material is positioned over the one or more depressions.

Thermoelectric devices (TE) devices may be used to power wearable electronics, such as watches and sensors by harvesting heat from the body. These TE devices may fully power or partially power the wearable devices to extend a usage time, or to recharge a battery. In other example embodiments, TE devices can be used to provide heating and/or cooling. The TE devices can be integrated into garments such as clothes, vests, and armbands for outdoor and indoor environments. For outdoor environments, applications include, but are not limited to, sports such as golfing, bicycling, running, walking, training, soccer, hiking, and other outdoor activities related to occupations, such as construction, fire-fighting, military operations, law enforcement, farming, underground mining, and so on. In other example embodiments, TE devices can be used to provide thermal camouflaging for people and objects so as to not be seen by thermal imaging devices.

Thermoelectric devices (TE) devices may be used to power wearable electronics, such as watches and sensors by harvesting heat from the body. These TE devices may fully power or partially power the wearable devices to extend a usage time, or to recharge a battery. In other example embodiments, TE devices can be used to provide heating and/or cooling. The TE devices can be integrated into garments such as clothes, vests, and armbands for outdoor and indoor environments. For outdoor environments, applications include, but are not limited to, sports such as golfing, bicycling, running, walking, training, soccer, hiking, and other outdoor activities related to occupations, such as construction, fire-fighting, military operations, law enforcement, farming, underground mining, and so on. In other example embodiments, TE devices can be used to provide thermal camouflaging for people and objects so as to not be seen by thermal imaging devices.

Coating materials and coated personal protective clothing items incorporating the coating material are described. The coating material includes a polymeric component; a metal oxide component; and a catalytic component. The catalytic component includes a metal oxide or a mixed metal oxide which is an effective catalyst for an oxidation reaction. The coated personal protective clothing item includes a personal protective clothing substrate with a coating including the coating material.

Coating materials and coated personal protective clothing items incorporating the coating material are described. The coating material includes a polymeric component; a metal oxide component; and a catalytic component. The catalytic component includes a metal oxide or a mixed metal oxide which is an effective catalyst for an oxidation reaction. The coated personal protective clothing item includes a personal protective clothing substrate with a coating including the coating material.

A lower body outer garment, such as a pant or legging, is provided which has a construction and hidden support which helps to redefine the wearer's appearance. The support is in one embodiment provided in the form of internal mesh re-enforcing panels that lift the buttocks and flatten the tummy. The invention also relates to twill or denim fabric versions of the lower garment, and includes the front and rear power control panels having strategic hem placement to avoid cutting into fleshy areas on the wearer or to lift and sculpt both the front and backside of the wearer.