HKDI CIMT won international invention awards in Switzerland
International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva is recognised as the most important specialist event of its kind in the world. It attracts hundreds of exhibitors from around the globe every year to put their inventions and innovations on display. Participants and visitors include business enterprises, research institutions, universities and investors. Two projects led by HKDI Centre of Innovative Material and Technology (CIMT) were awarded with a Gold Medal and a Silver Medal under the classification of “Clothing-Textiles-Machines and Accessories” in the 46th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva in Switzerland held from 11-15 Apr 2018.
The Gold Medal winning invention “Innovative Foot Biomechanics for Enhancing Design and Comfort of Ladies’ High-heeled Footwear Design” aims to transfer state-of-the art foot biomechanics engineering technologies to the rapid growing field of fashion footwear for optimal fit and comfort, obtain precise 3D foot anthropometry data and plantar pressure evaluation, and transform magnetorheological fluid into the insole design, thus offering flexible cushioning and stability support in response to applied mechanical stress, enhance the design and overall comfort of high-heeled shoes to the wearers. The project was supported by ITC’s Innovation & Technology Fund, accomplished in late 2015, and the team is now working on product refinement and patent application.
Another award-winning project “3D Heat Conductive Knee Sleeves” aims to develop a smart knitted knee sleeve using conductive yarn to achieve heat therapy function with fashionable appearances. The design is also extended to 3D product ergonomics design, compression knitting structures for muscle support, power supply interlace and temperature control. The project is in collaboration with Fung Fat Knitting Manufacturing Limited.
Through those CIMT's projects, HKDI students can gain experience on interdisciplinary design and product development. With more understanding about the integration of ergonomics and product design, they can support the development of fashion design towards the advanced technology in the future.
