Kenzen wins Judge's Favorite at Google Demo Days

Super proud to see the Kenzen team win in London (we are a Zurich and SF based co) at Google Demo days while I was facilitating a panel at Struktur on the future of Wearables in the Outdoor Industry.

Always a lot of hustle and challenges in changing the face of an industry but so worthwhile!

Highlighting Europe's Best Startups

Over the past five years, Google for Entrepreneurs has brought together a group of top startups from around the world to Silicon Valley to showcase their technology and meet top investors and mentors.

This event will be our first Demo Day outside the U.S., aimed at bringing the best startups from across Europe to London to pitch to investors.

The application period for Demo Day has closed. We'll reach out to all applicants by 29 March with an update about the selected startups.

How This Wearable Smart Patch Analyzes Your Sweat To Monitor Your Body

Forbes
Jennifer Kite-Powell , Contributor
Image courtesy of Kenzen.

Professor Wei Gao, a post doctoral fellow at the University of California and recipient of 2016 MIT Technology Review 35 Innovators Under 35, spoke in February 2017 at Rice University about bioelectronic devices for personalize and precision medicine. His belief is that wearable biosensors and medical nanorobots combine health monitoring and therapy delivery to take us closer to personalized and precision medicine.

Research firm Tractica says healthcare is expected to be one of the biggest drivers for body sensors citing connected wearable patches as a key driver. Applications of wearable patches are not just for consumers but will fall into sports, enterprise and industrial markets as well. Tractica forecasts that body sensor shipments are expected to increase to 68 million in 2021 from 2.7 million units in 2015.

Where to start? Sweat. Monitoring sweat as a key biometric is not new. Sweat contains biomarkers like sodium, glucose and proteins that can be collected and measured non-invasively using sensors. Sweat has been used to monitor other conditions like cystic fibrosis, but now sweat can be used to monitor nutritional deficiencies, ion imbalances, elevated glucose levels and inflammation that industrial workers experience. Sweat can even tell a doctor if your medicines are not working properly....

Forbes Full Article

Struktur; the creative conference for active, outdoor and urban design!

I am so excited to be heading to Portland to participate in Struktur again in two weeks, and cannot recommend this conference enough to any designers in the outdoor, active or urban design space.

And with the topic of Inflection point this year being spot on, the size of the vibrant super connective event doubling all the more reason to come join the fun festive mind bending event. I am moderating a panel "Reframing Wearables" while there are panels on Female Leadership, Biomimicry, Futurecasting and so much more.  I cannot wait!
(wow and just found my tall last year, I was a bit under the weather but hey, there it is! ;)

Here is the topic description for 2017!

Inflection Point

Futurists describe an inflection point as a moment when the range of possible futures suddenly shifts. As designers, we must prepare ourselves for success within the context of these new possibilities.

Against the backdrop of disruptions in climate, trade, and manufacturing, new practices of generative design, bio-materials, and automation are moving into focus. Sustainability and ‘Made in America’ stories are shifting from novelty to necessity. As technical and performance gear continue to merge into the mainstream, the active and outdoor industries are well positioned to be a major influencer in what we wear.

Struktur Event was founded on the idea that a strong design community is vital for innovation and growth. We are committed to fostering a community where design and industry professionals can share ideas, build relationships, and tackle these important topics with integrity and respect.

Come to Struktur Event 2017 and position yourself for success."

The U.S. Military selects winners of THE national challenge to redesign chembio Warfighter suits

The winners of the US government’s “Chembio Suit Proof Challenge” were announced January 12, 2017.  This was an open design challenge and the first of its kind to source ideas for government innovation from all levels of the public and private sector regardless of funding.

It was an honor to be a judge in this process to source concepts from the public and help select the 12 concepts which will move on to be developed with funding and collaboration from the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical Biological Defense in order to update the chembio suit for the first time in decades. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 13, 2017) – The Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense has awarded 12 prizes to winners of the s Proof Challenge – a chembio suit design challenge that called on the public to submit designs and ideas for a new suit.  Finalists came from a variety of fields that ranged from students to engineers. A total of $250,000 was awarded to 12 participants/teams.

“We were excited to use the Proof Challenge to reach out to the general public, beyond our military resources and experts, to source ideas and solutions for innovation,” says LeRoy Garey, the Proof Challenge Product Manager.  “The thinking, attention to detail and fresh ideas were astounding, exceeding what we expected.  This type of public collaboration is something we look forward to tapping into in the future – joining forces with the Americans we serve to help protect this country and our Warfighters.”

Proof Challenge winners include:

Challenge Finalists

Idea Name: Increase Dexterity & Tactility ChemBio Suit
Team Members: Shana Kaplan, Madeline Haas, Itohan Asemota, Nicole Raab, Angela Villanueva, and Jess Roberts

Idea Name: JSLIST Rapid Cooling System (RCS) & Integrated Cooling Ensemble
Team Members: Steven Link, Barret Schlegelmilch, Jonathan Lovett, Eric Hinterman, and Phillip Ebben

Idea Name:  SPIDER© Suit Grey Matter
Team Members: Thomas Luginbill, Brandy Johnson, Aaron Brauner, Steve Winters, and Steve Luginbill

Challenge Semifinalists/Runners-Up

Idea Name: ChemBio Duck Combat Duck Boot
Team Members: Michele Putko, Robert Putko, Catherine Putko, and Marie Putko

Idea Name: A More Fitted Hood
Team Members: William Gabler, Cassandra Kwon, Minyoung Suh, Marc Mathews, Hilary Smith, Caitlin McCall, and Raquel Weis

Idea Name: Hybrid Glove Concept
Team Members: Steve Santaniello

Semifinalists/Second Runners-Up

Idea Name: Improved Glove Fit
Team Member: Roland Bruyns

Idea Name: Custom Articulated Garments for Optimal Dexterity
Team Members: Leanne Luce, Ryan Brady, Kevin Galloway, Neil Tagner, and Matthew Borgatti

Idea Name: AgileWear
Team Members: Brian Kane, Gen Leonard, Karma Malhas, and Catherine Andreozzi

Idea Name: Closure Control
Team Members: Devon Willard, Chelsey Pyne, and Keren Espina

Challenge Side Prize Winners

Game Changer: Pulse Electric Textile for ChemBio Protection
Team Members: Francisco J. Martinez, Howard Eglewstein, and Bettina Pasquantonio

Influencer: Grey Matter
Team Members: Thomas Luginbill

Winners will be showcased on the Proof Challenge Facebook page and will work with JPEO-CBD on the next steps of bringing their suit ideas to reality.

About the Proof Challenge: The Proof Challenge sourced innovative ideas for solutions to increase mobility, dexterity and tactility, allowing the Warfighter to complete all relevant tasks (including running, climbing, etc.) in a fast and comfortable manner.  Also sourced were ideas for heat management that reduce heat burden and actively cool the Warfighter as various physical tasks are conducted.  For more information on the Proof Challenge, please visit www.proofchallenge.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Felischa Marye
Sensis
213.341.0171, ext. 750
fmarye@sensisagency.com

Military Kicks Off Proof Challenge to Redesign Chemical Warfare Suits

Tandem NSI
Posted by Michael Hoffman

Top designers across the country joined military officials on Aug. 25 at the Museum of Science in Boston to kick off the Proof Challenge — a Pentagon design competition to revolutionize the suit worn by troops to protect against chemical and biological attacks.

Designers are competing for a prize pool of $250,000 by submitting designs to improve the military’s collection of chemical and biological defense suits like the JSLIST (Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology). Joint Program Executive Office Chemical and Biological Defense is sponsoring the competition in hopes of attracting new innovations inside the design industry.

A diverse collection of designers and engineers got a chance to interact with the current JSLIST at the event. The designers tried on the suit and got an opportunity to feel the heat and weight of wearing the suit firsthand. Designers ran through an obstacle course and were even timed to see how fast they could put on the suit to simulate a gas attack.

Design startups and students from universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Rhode Island School of Design attended the kickoff with many saying they intended to enter the competition. Meeting with the JPEO Chemical and Biological Defense officials provided the potential applications the immediate feedback necessary to start working on submissions.

“It’s going to be an exciting challenge for fashion designers,” said Denise Hammon, President of the School of Fashion Design in Boston. “As they think about the client, the soldier in this case, they have to keep in mind the different factors that go into this design such as maneuverability, the integration of technology and to be able to make the suit appropriate to the gender. One size does not fit all.”

Designers and engineers talk with Natalie Pomerantz, a Research Chemical Engineer at U.S. Army Natick Soldier R&D and Engineering Center at the Proof Challenge Kickoff in Boston.

Sensis Challenges is running the competition for JPEO Chemical and Biological Defense. TandemNSI’s marketing team organized the kickoff event.

Capt. Steve Gerry, a deputy project manager for JPEO Chemical and Biological Defense, said his agency didn’t want to put too many restrictions on the designers as part of the company. The agency wanted to see what type of solutions they could come up with and then apply those solutions to the suit.

“The solutions we are looking for aren’t necessarily a complete solution to protect the warfighter. We are looking for pieces and parts for different focus areas that might help to build that ultimate suit.” Gerry said.

Designers, students and startups watch the panel session at the Proof Challenge Kickoff in Boston on Aug. 25.

The JSLIST remains effective in protecting troops, but it has not received a major upgrade in 25 years. Meanwhile, major updates to apparel design have occurred over that same time span, especially in performance sportswear.

“Innovation trends that would be relevant to this competition would be the ergonomics, the blurring of sports, fashion, technology and really thinking across the channels will be really important to making the suit dynamic for however long it is used in the future,” said Julianne Gauron, an industrial designer who has worked with the U.S. Navy and New Balance

Gauron, who is also serving as a judge for the panel, joined a group of panelists at the kickoff event who talked with the attendees about trends they have seen in apparel design and new approaches to spurring innovation inside government agencies. Hammon, Nick Sinai, former Deputy Chief Technology Officer of the United States; Maureen Kraner, White House Policy Advisor, Office of Science and Technology; Natalie Pomerantz, Research Chemical Engineer at U.S. Army Natick Soldier R&D and Engineering Center, also spoke on the panel.

A designer tries on the JSLIST at the Proof Challenge Kickoff in Boston on Aug. 25.

Pomerantz said she was impressed by the level of engagement from the companies, designers and students who attended the event.

“We had many people who were not familiar with the problems and the issues with the chemical-biological protective suit who immediately understood some of the technical challenges and what might impact them.” she said after spending an hour talking with designers.

Now that the competition has started, Leroy Garey, a project manager for JPEO Chemical and Biological Defense, and Heather Shirey, a Chief Systems Engineer for JPEO Chemical and Biological Defense said they are excited to see what new designs come out of this.

“We want people with fresh new ideas who have never done this before that are going to think of things we’ve never thought on,” Shirey said.

Attendees talk about some of the design challenges of the mask as part of the competition.

— The author, Michael Hoffman, can be reach at mhoffman@tandemnsi.com.

PROOF: The ChemBio Suit Design Challenge

I am very excited to be a part of the Panel at the Kick Off and Final Judging for the "PROOF: The ChemBio Suit Design Challenge."  This is an amazing design challenge and an important task, I am please to play a part of the conversation Thursday!  Please read, come, and most of all participate!

The U.S. military wants to pay you up to $150,000 to help redesign the suit worn by America's troops to protect them against chemical and biological attacks.

Military leaders want ideas from all types of designers, researchers, students, and entrepreneurs in material science, textile design, material design and wearables. The inspiration for this competition is to attract new ideas to provide the best possible suits for America's military.

The competition's total prize pool is $250,000. Up to three semifinalists will win up to $25,000 each and up to three finalists will win $50,000- $150,000. In addition to the overall challenge, up to five small prize contest winners will be awarded up to $5,000 each.

Judges for the Final Review

Panelists Thursday August 25th Kick Off at the Boston Museum of Science:

Denise Hammon, President of the School of Fashion Design in Boston

Nick Sinai, former Deputy Chief Technology Officer of the United States

Julianne Gauron, Industrial Designer who has worked with New Balance and the U.S. Navy

Maureen Kraner, White House Policy Advisor, Office of Science and Technology

Natalie Pomerantz, Research Chemical Engineer at U.S. Army Natick Soldier R&D and Engineering Center

Capt. Steve Gerry, Assistant Product Manager for Uniformed Integrated Protective Ensemble, Increment II

Business of Fashion Op-Ed | A New Toolkit for Designers

Really enjoyed this op-ed by friend and collaborator Todd Harple in a recent BoF on the intersection of technology and fashion, from his perspective as Director of pathfinding and innovation strategy at Intel. 

By Todd Harple August 16, 2016 19:08
Designers must integrate software, sensors, processors and new synthetic and biological materials into their toolkit, argues Todd Harple.

A dress by Chromat, featuring Intel curie devices | Source: Courtesy

NEW YORK, United States — It’s New York Fashion Week, and there is a frenzy backstage as models are worked into their dresses and mob the assembled engineers for instructions of how to operate the technology that magically transforms a subtle gesture into a glowing garment suggestive of the bioluminescence of jellyfish. I know there’s not enough time for them to do their work. Almost instinctively, I find the designer and bargain for 20 more minutes.

While I wonder to myself how I got here, backstage at a runway show, I also know I am witnessing what may be the harbinger of how a fourth industrial revolution is set to change fashion, resulting in a new materiality of computation that will transform a certain slice of fashion designers into the “developers” of a whole new category of clothing. By driving new partnerships in tools, materials and technologies, this revolution has the potential to dramatically reshape how we produce fashion at a scale not seen since the invention of the jacquard loom.

The jacquard loom, as it happens, inspired the earliest computers. Ever since, textile development and technology have been on an interwoven path — sometimes more loosely knit, but becoming increasingly tighter in the last five years. Around that time, my colleagues and I embarked on a project in our labs to look at “fashion tech,” which at the time was a fringe term. These were pioneers daring to — sometimes literally — weave together technology and clothing to drive new ways of thinking about the “shape” of computation. But as we looked around the fashion industry, it became clear that designers lacked the tools to harness the potential of new technologies...

here for the full article

Fast Company "MIT's Next Breakthrough Interface? Temporary Tattoos"

Super happy to see Cindy Kao of the Media Lab, and our Techstyle wearables group there making huge strides with her awesome work, and in collaboration with our friends at Microsoft too!  Wearables are a small world indeed!  (Fastco Article)

MIT's Next Breakthrough Interface? Temporary Tattoos

Inspired by popular gold leaf temporary tattoos, MIT Media Lab and Microsoft Research teamed up on a crafty new wearable interface.

Mark Wilson 08.12.16 7:00 AM

We’ve seen stick-on circuits capable of putting a phone on your finger, and while they’re certainly incredible to behold, they aren't accessible outside of world-class research labs and production lines.

But a technology called DuoSkin, by MIT Media Lab and Microsoft Research, could enable anyone to create custom, wearable circuits—and apply them as easily as a temporary gold leaf tattoo. And not in 10 or 20 years, but using craft store materials, today. In a new paper being presented at the International Symposium on Wearable Computers next month, the research team details how you can shape circuits using any graphic design software, cut the pattern out of a sandwich of tattoo paper and vinyl, and then coat that vinyl with gold leaf. Not only is gold leaf en vogue, as far as temporary tattoos go; gold leaf also makes the tattoo conductive to electricity, and your touch.

The result is an impossibly thin temporary tattoo that’s applied to your skin with a wet wash cloth like any other. Once there, it’s capable of adding to your body touch pads, buttons, personal radio IDs, or even glowing LED displays. The DuoSkin tattoo can allow you to swipe and tap around your phone’s music and unlock doors or turnstiles protected by NFC. In one example, a pair of heart tattoos link up, so with the touch a button, you can change the color of the tattoo of your significant other (perhaps to signify if you were in a bad mood in the most passive aggressive way possible).

Of course, the practical uses of cheap, temporarily wearable technologies seem endless. It’s not hard to imagine the utility of such a tattoo on a patient at the hospital. Your identity could be stuck right to your body thanks to NFC technology. Even something as simple as calling the nurse could be miniaturized from a bulky remote to a thin button on your skin. And given that the team has successfully embedded heat-sensitive pigments, as well as LEDs, these tattoos could be specialized to signal all sorts of issues to health care providers.

Then again, if the context of health care doesn't sound terribly exciting, there’s always Coachella. Really! Because while that may sound snarky, enabling such a wide swath of use cases is really the point of the whole project.

"It is our vision that future on-skin electronics will no longer be black-boxed and mystified; but they will converge toward user friendliness, extensibility, and aesthetics of body decorations," the paper concludes, "forming a DuoSkin integrated to an extent it has seemingly disappeared."

[All Images: courtesy MIT Media Lab]

Data Driven Apparel in Rio, New Balance

As is so often the case with innovation, there is a long (long!) research and development process and sometimes and even longer runway to the public reveal, through the entire duration of which designers and researchers in our field cannot discuss their work, with varying levels of secrecy. 

So I am thrilled to see the Data Driven Training Knit which we developed and designed back in 2013 appear in preparation for the Olympics in Rio.  The tops are a part the New Balance Elite kit, as well as Team Ireland and New Zealand's kit.  Epic NB sprinter Trayvon Bromell wears it here in Rome.

We spent hundreds of hours planning & designing, researching the elite body, gathering thermal data, aggregating that data points, and translating them into the round for knit production.  It was an intensive process for an elegant simple looking product, but then that is good design, and it was a pleasure to be a part of a great team.

To visualize New Balance’s unique “data to design” architecture, Aggressive designed a futuristic test lab, where data-driven runners’ foot-strikes drive the creation of the midsoles in real time. Credits Production Co: Aggressive Client: New Balance Agency: Arnold Worldwide Directors: Alex Topaller, Dan Shapiro Producer: Kelvin Craver Creative Director: Alex Mikhaylov CG Supervisor: Max Chelyadnikov Edit: Alex Mikhaylov, Max Chelyadnikov, Dan Shapiro, Adam Thomson Design: Alex Mikhaylov, Andrey Krasavin 2D Animation: Andrey Krasavin, Federico Gonzalez, Dan Shapiro Modelling: E.D.Satan, Evaldas Cesnavicius Texturing: E.D.Satan, Konstantin Zankov Animation: Dmitriy Paukov, Max Chelyadnikov Simulation: Dmitriy Paukov Rendering: Max Chelyadnikov Compositing: Max Chelyadnikov, Dan Shapiro, Storyboard Artist: Rolo Ledesma Production Manager: Dustin Pownall Sound Design: Wesley Slover

Tangible Media Teams Biological Actuator for Apparel - Biologic

I was thrilled bye the final product of the multi year Biologic project run by an extraordinarily talented team of graduates, primarily envisioned by Lining Yao, out of Hiroshi's team at the Media Lab. I had the opportunity to see the project throughout because of my role as New Balance liaison, and ideate together with the team, while working on thermal body mapping and cooling explorations as my own team worked towards the research, development and design of "Data to Design" project for the 2016 Rio Olympic uniforms for New Balance. 
We also had the pleasure of exhibiting Biologic in the Fashion 4wrd show September 15th at the Boston MFA.

Congrats to the whole team, I look forwards to seeing where the team takes this brilliant biological actuator next!

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-10/28/mit-media-lab-biologic-living-sportswear/viewgallery/620142