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Georgia Institute of Technology’s idea for an intelligent hospital gown or military uniform looks as if it has been inspired by origami (WO 02/100200). The Atlanta-based university has taken fabric that has optical and electrically conductive fibres woven into it, and folded it into the shape of a wearable garment that needs very few sewn joints. The wearer’s head pokes out through a hole in the middle.

Forming the garment from a single piece of fabric ensures that any part of it can be connected to sensors on the wearer’s body, which can monitor their vital signs. Flaps round…

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