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www.southgatearc.org
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Clothes that can light up and send morseYou can now have an entire shirt or even an outfit that will tell the world who you are. It can even do it using visible Morse code if you like. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, shines a light on this one: Those in pursuit of being the center of attention are finding this a bright idea. We are talking about clothes made of fabrics with embedded light-emitting diodes which are expected to be the most innovative garments in 2007 fashion season. No, We are not talking of just a few bright colored LED's here and there. Nor are we talking about those LED's on flashing call sign badges.
In this case, a new technology called Lumalive integrates micro-sized light emitting diodes into the fabric. The diodes can be programmed to produce patterns that change color, shape and size. It will even allow those wearing this clothing to carry moving text messages along with vivid patterns. This means that I could show up at a hamfest next year with my callsign WA6ITF traveling around my shirt or up and down my pants leg. Don't worry, I am not the type to wear the modern electronic equivlant of a walking bread board sign. But there are some YL's and XYL's who are going to love this aspect of the LED cloth technology. The company making it says that the electronic textile is washable and durable, allowing it to be used for drapes, cushions and even sofa coverings. At the same time, Lumalive says that the integrated LEDs do not affect the softness or comfort of the cloth if used for garments. Hams will no doubt find other uses for it that the manufacturer never even dreamed of. It will be interesting to see who comes wearing what at the 2007 Dayton Hamvention and at club meetings, nationwide. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF Lumalive is a product of Phillips Electronics.
Source: Amateur Radio Newsline
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