Abstract: An article is a selected one of a set of articles. Each article of the set includes a fabric and is associated with a unique identification code. The selected article has a pattern distributed over at least 10% of an exposed surface of the selected article. The pattern encodes the identification code associated with the selected article, wherein the pattern is configured to be read and decoded by a mobile computing device in a manner wherein the selected article is contextually recognizable. A two-dimensional plaid pattern may be used to carry the identification code, which can be decoded according to described methods.

Abstract: A fabric or article has a pattern on an exposed surface that encodes a unique identification code, wherein the pattern is configured to be read and decoded by a mobile computing device in a manner wherein the selected article is contextually recognizable. A two-dimensional plaid pattern may be used to carry the identification code, which can be decoded according to described methods. The pattern may be a plaid code or may be incorporated into a representational aesthetic environment. Fabrics may include optical transmitters embedded therein and configured to transmit information that can be detected by a mobile computing device, directed to the wearable article, and executing a suitable application. Fabrics may include optical receives configured to receive information such as from a free-space optical communication system of certain embodiments.

Abstract: The subject disclosure can facilitate piezoelectrics for energy harvesting. In one example, an article of manufacture (AOM) is provided. The AOM can comprise a piezoelectric fabric comprising: a piezoelectric film; an elastic base on which the piezoelectric film is bonded forming a piezoelectric material; and a yarn, wherein the yarn and the piezoelectric material are coupled to one another in a defined ratio of interlacement. The yarn and the piezoelectric material are configured as coils in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the piezoelectric material is configured such that compression or elongation of the piezoelectric material generates electrical energy. In some embodiments, the AOM further comprises a power management module coupled to the piezoelectric material and configured to store electrical energy received from the piezoelectric material. The AOM can also comprise a rivet, grommet or button coupled to the piezoelectric material or the power management module and configured to capture energy.

Abstract: An article is a selected one of a set of articles. Each article of the set includes a fabric and is associated with a unique identification code. The selected article has a pattern distributed over at least 10% of an exposed surface of the selected article. The pattern encodes the identification code associated with the selected article, wherein the pattern is configured to be read and decoded by a mobile computing device in a manner wherein the selected article is contextually recognizable. A two-dimensional plaid pattern may be used to carry the identification code, which can be decoded according to described methods.

Abstract: The subject disclosure can facilitate piezoelectrics for energy harvesting. In one example, an article of manufacture (AOM) is provided. The AOM can comprise a piezoelectric fabric comprising: a piezoelectric film; an elastic base on which the piezoelectric film is bonded forming a piezoelectric material; and a yarn, wherein the yarn and the piezoelectric material are coupled to one another in a defined ratio of interlacement. The yarn and the piezoelectric material are configured as coils in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the piezoelectric material is configured such that compression or elongation of the piezoelectric material generates electrical energy. In some embodiments, the AOM further comprises a power management module coupled to the piezoelectric material and configured to store electrical energy received from the piezoelectric material. The AOM can also comprise a rivet, grommet or button coupled to the piezoelectric material or the power management module and configured to capture energy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to abdominal-restraint garments comprising a lower-body garment, a first elastic support structure comprising an elastomer, and a second elastic support structure comprising the elastomer. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure has a first superior edge attached to the lower-body garment at a waistband of the lower-body garment, a first lateral edge attached to a first sideseam of the lower-body garment, and a first medial edge attached to a first closure seam of the lower-body garment. In some embodiments, the second elastic support structure has a first superior edge attached to the lower-body garment at the waistband of the lower-body garment, a second lateral edge attached to a second sideseam of the lower-body garment, and a second medial edge attached to a second closure seam of the lower-body garment. The present disclosure also relates to methods of assembling the abdominal-restraint garments disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are lower-body garments having wide, abdominal-shaping waistbands, and methods of making the same. The garments disclosed herein have wide, abdominal-shaping waistbands with features tailored to smooth and restrain the garment-wearer's abdominal area and/or reduce the undesirable “muffin top” effect that can occur when garments cinch at the waist.

Abstract: An article of swimwear for providing targeted compression areas includes inner and outer fabric layers that are bonded together with adhesive layers having different compressive strengths. For example, a first adhesive layer is disposed between first fabric portions of the inner and outer fabric layers. In addition, a second adhesive layer is disposed between second fabric portions of the inner and outer fabric layers. The first and second fabric portions may be laterally adjacent each other or spaced apart. The first adhesive layer provides a first compressive strength to the first fabric portions of the inner and outer fabrics when bonded there between, and the second adhesive layer provides a second compressive strength to the second fabric portions of the inner and outer fabrics when bonded there between. In certain implementations, the first compressive strength is greater than the second compressive strength.

Abstract: A cooling material is provided. The cooling material can include a yarn having a defined denier of less than or equal to approximately 90 denier, wherein the yarn can comprise a cooling additive disposed on or in a polymer. In some embodiments, the yarn can be at least one of a warp or a weft of a woven fabric. A method can comprise receiving a cooling material, wherein the cooling material comprises: a polymer and a cooling additive, wherein the cooling additive is disposed on or in the polymer; and processing the cooling material by employing a non-weaving technique to create a non-woven fabric. In some embodiments, the non-weaving technique is one of a meltblown process, a spunbond process, or a multi-denier process.

Abstract: A long-term cooling material is provided. The long-term cooling material includes: a yarn having a defined denier of less than or equal to approximately 70 denier and a defined yarn count; and a cooling mineral core disposed on the yarn and comprising nanosilver, wherein the cooling material is a material knit on a 28 gauge or greater knitting machine. In some embodiments, the yarn count can be greater than or equal to approximately 36 rows per inch. The yarn can include Nylon 6. An article of manufacture is provided. The article can include a non-cooling material disposed to be positioned over two or more portions of the body; and a cooling material disposed to be positioned on the non-cooling material at selected locations indicative of areas of the body prone to overheating.