INTELLIGENSPORTS
…where Technology meets SportsArchive for January, 2008
Liquid crystal ski goggles
This US2008013000 patent published on January 17, 2008 relates generally to goggles, and more particularly to ski goggles including a user actuated liquid crystal device.
Liquid crystal devices have been developed and used in a variety of applications, from computer displays to industrial uses. These devices are capable of a variety of functions, one of which is the ability to change optical properties with very low power consumption. Specifically, these devices may have a first, unactuated state, and a second actuated state, wherein the application of an electric potential or other physical stimulus causes the device to switch between the states. Removal of the electric potential causes the device to revert to the default state. Depending on the structure of the device, one state is less transparent or darker and one state is more transparent or lighter. Thus, a user may selectively darken the device, and, in the case of eyewear, darken the device that is associated with the eyewear.
Sport & Fashion: Ski suits with solar-powered lights by Willy Bogner
The solar-powered LEDs employ thin-film technology developed by lighting company Osram, providing the following information:
“LED on snow: High-tech winter fashion of tomorrow
Ski fashion for the year 2036 promotes LED lighting. At an event held on November 5th 2007 for the Munich bid to host the Olympic Winter Games, fashion designer Willy Bogner sent his models on a trip into the future of winter sports.
Together with lighting manufacturer OSRAM, he ventured a brief look into the future: state-of-the-art lighting technology providing the winter sports outfits of tomorrow with a conspicuous, yet sartorially elegant design. Bogner on the outside, OSRAM on the inside – this is the motto of these sparkling ski suits.
Twelve brightly illuminated OSRAM Golden DRAGON LEDs in a special version of the DRAGONx LED module fitted on the front and rear as well as on the sleeves made the “Solar Light Suit” sparkle. The LEDs are solar-powered. Based on the thin film technology developed by OSRAM, these light sources boast a particularly high luminous efficacy. With an optical output ratio of 55 Lumen/Watt, the Golden DRAGON LEDs require little space given their minimalist size. Even with integrated lens, each measures less than a centimetre in height. Thus they are suitable for the most diverse designs and can easily be integrated into clothing. Because of different beam directions – depending on the lens used – the high-power LEDs are also perfect for architectural and accent lighting and for use in spotlights.”
More information and pictures on DEZEEN weblog
H.N.Y. 2008
Happy New Year 2008 !
See you next week with new Sport posts found during Winter holidays.
But for the time being, let’s have FUN
