• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.155-172
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• 2013

This study developed smart education programs on clothing in Home Economics education for middle school students and assessed the validity of the programs. To create a self-directed adaptive learning model, 'Textile fibers' was selected as a topic. A digital textbook was developed to provide an adaptive learning experience to each student. The students can learn the contents of the digital textbook via their smart phones or tablet PCs in their Home Economics classes. To create a cooperative learning model for a good communication, 'Recycling clothes' was selected as a topic. Students can cooperate to solve the problems via Google docs and facebook in their Home Economics classes. The programs gained more than 4.5 on a 5-point Likert scale. The results of the assessment indicated that the smart education programs on clothing are appropriate to enhancing the self-directed learning, communication, and cooperation competencies of the students in Home Economics classes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1022-1038
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• 2017

Wearable smart products contributed to expand the concept of modern clothing in terms of closer communication between wearers and the surrounding environment. This study investigated the concept of wearable smart actuators and characteristics of actuating feedback. The representative product development trends over the past 10 years are examined based on the method of actuating feedback. A first keyword search from Naver and Google reused to select the final 58 products based on the second key keyword actuating feedback. The wearable smart actuator system works in a similar way to a human body system such as those of the information processing process. Actuating feedback is delivered directly to the user as the last signal of the system, which has visual, auditory and tactile feedback. It works in complex at the device to be delivered to the user. Actuator feedback is divided into three types of active and passive, depending on the user situation, the overall purpose of the product, the collected information, and the device dependency. Active actuating feedback determines and actuates the situation on behalf of the user when the user is in an emergency or a disability situation. Passive actuating feedback plays a role in environmental monitoring to help in a healthy daily life.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.87-100
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• 2012

Smart wear integrates computing technology into fabric or a garment for additional functionality. This research explored the attitudes and opinions of the use of smart wear from the viewpoint of caregivers. Thirty two individuals including care providers of children and adult family members with health problems participated in focus group interviews. Participants reported being interested in smart wear because of the potential to detect the location (GPS) of a dependent (e.g., child, elderly) and to monitor vital signs. Participants indicated perceived advantages of smart wear such as identifying geographical location and effectiveness. Perceived concerns mentioned were privacy/security issues and accuracy of data. Participants taking care of dependents without a specific disease were hesitant to adopt and pay for smart wear. However, caregivers of elderly individuals expressed positive adoption intentions and willingness to reasonably pay for smart wear. They indicated expectations that potential insurance would provide coverage for cost savings. Caregivers expressed the need of specific requirements for future adoption such as customizability, and comfort/safety. Specific to smart wear clothing, most respondents preferred it be an undershirt or a jacket with a sensor located in the shoulder area. The findings from this study can be used in product development, promotion and marketing of smart wear.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.82-98
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• 2014

The influence from the increased income and aging society has amplified the interest in the well-being trend and health. People tend to enjoy sports and outdoor life. The development of smart clothing containing heating function to help maintain body temperature has been actively researched after the mid 2000s. However, the domestic study on heating clothing is severely limited. Practical study on designing heating clothing which can be commercialized is needed. The purpose of this study is to develop a commercialized detachable heating vest design through collaboration with a heating vest manufacturer. The results of this study are as follows: 1) Conducted the interview with manufacturer and a demand survey with consumers in order to develop the heating vest design. 2) Developed heating vest design that reflected the wants in the demand survey and sketched the prototype of detachable heating vest. 3) Made a sample of the heating vest and tested the wearability to illustrate the result of this study. Overall, the wearing test result showed high satisfaction for both gender.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.674-684
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• 2021

Recent advances in electronic technology have engendered a need for research on the use of smart materials in clothing. Electro-conductive fibers are expected to be a crucial element of wearable devices. Therefore, in this study, we have attempted to develop electro-conductive threads and cables using silver nanowires. Based on the characteristics of silver nanowire, in which electro-conductivity can be imparted via heat treatment, we prepared conductive threads by coating nylon yarn with silver nanowires and curing at temperatures of 140℃, 150℃, and 160℃. Conductive threads cured at 140℃ had the highest conductivity, followed by threads cured at 160℃ and 150℃ respectively. The order of the electrical conductivity of the threads after tensile testing was consistent with the original order of the conductivity of the threads. When we evaluated the sensing performance of electro-conductive cables fabricated from these threads, the cables manufactured from threads cured at 140℃ and 160℃ were found to function normally within temperature and humidity sensors. All the cables operated normally in illuminance and electrocardiogram sensors. Thus, we believe that threads made of silver nanowire have sufficient electrical conductivity to be utilized as wearable sensors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.808-822
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• 2024

This study aims to develop a smart uniform with embedded luminescence for street cleaners to enhance visibility, safety, and long-term usability, informed by real users' opinions. It employed mixed-methods research comprising three phases: first, a pre-interview to identify existing problems; second, experiments to evaluate the visibility and durability of the technology embedded in smart uniforms during machine washing; and third, a post-survey and observation to assess user satisfaction regarding safety, long-term usability, and aesthetic aspects. Prototypes were developed to evaluate long-term usability and safety based on users' opinions. The findings indicated users desired long-term usage without the need for additional wear and highlighted concerns about the glare from light-emitting devices. The developed prototypes demonstrated long-term usability, remaining functional after more than 25 machine washes without reducing brightness or structural integrity. Regarding participant satisfaction, 83.5% of users were satisfied with the design, both aesthetically and functionally. This study offers a viable approach to developing user-centered designs incorporating light-emitting devices, which enhance visibility and provide aesthetic satisfaction while ensuring long-term usability. The results hold significant implications for future design research focused on vulnerable populations, emphasizing integrated satisfaction in terms of safety and long-term usability.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.70-83
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• 2010

With the rapid development of science and technology and the increased preference by consumers for high-function products, many products are being developed through the fusion of technologies in different industries. Among such fusion technologies, digital clothing which combines clothing with computer functions is being examined as a new growth item. The objectives of this study are to examine the concept, history, development, and market of intelligent clothing, in order to discuss future directions for the development of digital clothing technology. intelligent clothing (wearable computers) originated in the 1960s from the concept of separating computing equipment and attaching it to the body. This technology was studied intensively from the early 1980s and to the early 1990s. In the late 1990s, studies on wearable computers began to develop intelligent/digital clothing that was more comfortable and beneficial to users. Depending on the user and purpose, intelligent/digital clothing is now being developed and used in diverse industrial areas that include sports, medicine, military, entertainment, daily life, and business. Many experts forecast a huge growth potential for the digital textile/clothing market, and predict the fastest market growth in the field of healthcare/medicine. There exists a need to find solutions for many related technological, economic, and social issues for the steady dissemination and advancement of intelligent/digital clothing in various industries. Further, research should be continued on effective fusion technologies that reflect human sensitivity and that increase user convenience and benefits.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.129-140
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• 2018

This study aimed to analyze consumers' acceptance of sports applications and smart sportswear to better design technology-enhanced walking exercise wear for the Baby Boomer generation based on their cohort characteristics. A questionnaire with items related to acceptance of existing smart sportswear design, functionality, and usability as well as existing sports application design, functionality, and usability was sent to consumers aged 50-65. Of 163 questionnaires distributed, 150 were used for analysis. The results showed that middle-aged consumers were aware of smart sportswear's functional stability, but were concerned about care, durability, and convenience. Middle-aged consumers were also aware of sports applications as educational functions for obtaining new information. Additionally, they found sports applications to have lower perceived convenience and accessibility relative to the young generation, highlighting the need for simple instructions and explanations for sports application planning. Based on these results, we propose "Everyday design for general sportswear," "Functions based on consumer's preference," "Enhanced design for durability and management convenience" for designing and planning walking exercise wear for middle-aged consumers, and "Convenient application organization" and "Educational exercise contents" for application planning for walking exercises.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.125-136
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• 2018

This study intended to develop a motorcycle safe vest that can be prepared against accidents by mounting a smart module (with built-in sensor) on the safe vest in order to emphasize safety among functional aspects of the motorcycle clothing. The research method investigated professional books, prior research, and Internet data to examine the characteristics of motorcycle wear and the theoretical examination of smart wear, and analyzed the functional characteristics of the design by reviewing smart jacket and vest design cases for motorcycles currently on the market. As a results of study an interface device sensor, which contains a sensor with IMU(Intertial Measurement Unit) and CPU(Central Processing Unit), was inserted into a motorcycle top in order to draw attention to the safety of motorcycle riders. The IMU sensor attached to the vest detected the tilting motion of the rider to either left or right side to obtain data on left or right direction, sudden stop, and so forth and displayed left or right turn signal and sudden stop sign on the backplate (back) through the LED module. As for charging the device to operate LEDs, a generator, which is designed to convert the heat energy in the exhaust into electric energy, was used to efficiently self-produce the power required to operate LEDs of the top while riding.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.58 no.9
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• pp.166-175
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• 2008

For the structural firefighting protective clothing, it can show a synergy effect when it satisfies smart fabric to block off a harmful environmental element and ergonomics design that apply range of motion of human body and appropriate size system. There are various standards about the structural firefighting protective clothing, but it's difficult to find a rule about movement suitability because the performance of the material holds a lot of the rules. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to propose a scheme to evaluate the current structural firefighting protective clothing and to improve movement suitability by research on the actual condition. For this, the survey about wearer acceptability scale on design and size and about improvement requirements was executed gathering firefighters' opinion. Questionnaire was composed with 23 items about satisfaction on current structural firefighting protective clothing, body suitability, movement suitability, improvement requirement and subjective information. As a results, Korean firefighters demand ergonomics design of structural firefighting protective clothing which to minimize restriction of body movement and to maximize body suitability.