What will we be wearing in the year 2100?It is a question that intrigues many, and a difficult one to answer depending on our culture, location and situation. Will we all be living on Mars? Will it be ‘the norm’ to float on down to the corner shop wearing our very own spacesuits, bought from the local high street stores – the more wealthy sporting Prada spacesuits and showing off their newly bought Gucci oxygen tanks, proudly strapped to their backs? Will we be living in a nuclear war zone, doomed to wearing only protective lead jumpsuits with all faces unrecognisable behind our clumpy gasmasks? Will we be living in a high-tech era where

the latest electronics are stitched into our clothing? A world where LED lit dresses are the latest craze and we all sport the latest upgrade of computer glasses?

By looking at predictions for the future and what technology they are developing now, the likely apparel that we will all be sporting can be estimated.

Put bluntly, it is immediately clear that Global Warming is the primary worry for the year 2100. From the moment you get up in the morning, grab your low-fat milk out the fridge to pour over your favourite cereal, or switching the kettle on to make your morning coffee - we are all responsible. Electricity, as we

all very well know, is made from burning fossil fuels at a rapid rate, releasing gases, such as Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide, into our atmosphere. This, in turn, attributes to the gases released by natural occurrences - from volcanic eruptions to gassing field cows. Over time it all adds up; the atmosphere thickens and traps more of the sun’s heat, slowly warming the planet like an oversized knitted tea cosy.

The apparel and textile industry accounts for 10% of the worlds Carbon Footprint. Due to the

What will we be wearing in the year 2100?

10% of our current Global emissons come from the textiles industry.

processes involved in the apparel life cycle, (the extraction of raw materials, creating the item, the frequent washing and drying of the apparel and the disposal) creating a single item of clothing requires a lot of energy. Because of this realisation, we are currently trying to adapt the very materials that our clothes are made from so that they are more efficient and environmentally friendly. Sustainability and efficiency is therefore a definite aspect of future fashions, particularly if we want to reduce the effects of climate change.

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Do we still have time to unpick our forecast for the future?

3°C

4°C

5°C

It is thought that at the rate we are going, the Global Temperature will increase by 6°C by the 22nd Century.

This will cause the pole ice to go into meltdown, sea levels to rise, UV rays to increase in strength, and weather to become more extreme. Even if we amend our ways and reduce our emissions now, the warming process is already happening and we will have to adapt and protect ourselves from the more extreme conditions coming our way.

This graph shows the 6 different global temperature scenarios from the year 2000 to the year 2100. Each is based on scientific facts, research and predictions. It is clear that the temperature will at least rise by 3°C.

What will we be wearing in the year 2100?

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A solution to make up for the emissions produced by the clothing cycle is walking around wearing big Catalytic converters.

It’s no joke; Catalytic Clothing is fast becoming a popular reality thanks to the fortunate collaboration between artist/designer Professor Helen Storey and scientist Professor Tony Ryan. This science uses recently discovered nanotechnology and photocatalyst technology to create apparel that captures pollutants and uses UV light to break down the pollutants into Carbon Dioxide and Water.

Where do the pollutants come from?

The two biggest sources of air borne pollutants are industry and motor vehicles. Although the majority of the pollutants are prevented from reaching the air, using technology such as catalytic converters, some do escape. It is these pollutants that Catalytic Clothing will break down.

How are the pollutants broken down?When the light shines on the photocatalyst, the electrons in the material are rearranged and they become more reactive. These electrons are then able to react with the water in the air and break it apart into 2 radicals. A radical is an extremely reactive molecule. These radicals then react with the pollutants and cause them to break down into non-harmful chemicals.

1 pair of treated jeans can absorb a days worth of Nitrogen Dioxide emissions from 1 car

How many people would need to participate to produce a noticeable reduction in the level of pollution?An estimate of the required level of uptake for the Catalytic Clothing indicates that a significant reduction in the level of air borne pollutants, in a large city such as London, could be achieved if, for every metre of pavement width, 30 people wearing Catalytic Clothes walked past each minute.

Can any material be used? The aim is to make this technology deliver to all fabric types eventually; starting with one of the most commonly used materials, cotton.

When might it be available? Two years if all goes to plan.

How would society benefit if Catalytic Clothing was widely introduced?Exposure to air borne pollutants presents a risk to human health

and also has a detrimental effect on ecosystems and vegetation. Air pollution is currently estimated to reduce the life expectancy of every person in the UK by an average of 7-8 months. The widespread introduction of Catalytic Clothing would dramatically reduce the level of air borne pollutants, thereby improving the quality of life for all members of society.

How is the technology applied to the jeans?TiO2 is sprayed on to garments.

What is the science behind Catalytic Clothing?Catalytic Clothing harnesses the power of a photocatalyst to break down air borne pollutants. A catalyst is a term used to describe something that makes a reaction proceed at a greater rate, but isn’t actually consumed during that reaction. A photocatalyst gains the energy it needs to be active from light.

What will we be wearing in the year 2100?

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NanotechnologyNanotechnology is a new science that consists of creating functional systems at a molecular scale. A single hair on our head is about 100,000 nanometers wide. One nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.

Working at such a small scale has allowed us to create new technologies, particularly with materials. High-tec nano textiles are currently being experimented with and already put in use. With specialised properties that include; increased durability, anti-bacterial, self-cleaning, moisture-absorbing, reduced colour fade, UV protection, fireproof, scented, luminescent and heat conductive. It is likely that our future attire will be the ‘ultimate’ clothing, with all these properties combined, some for protection purposes and some for leisure purposes.

Jumpsuits - is this what we could be wearing in 90 years time?

Jumpsuits have been in use for many years in the sports profession and industry. They are quick and easy to put on and they have recently been seen creeping into our stores – so, is this the future? With the threat of global warming, increased UV rays, acid rain and radiation looming, a simple walk to the corner shop on a Saturday could become a danger to our health. Someday, our wardrobes may just be filled with different coloured jumpsuits, each with its protective properties; some high-tec silky numbers suited for nights out and some casual and snug, made from a mix of high-tec wool and cotton, perfect for a brisk walk to the local corner shop for a pint of milk.

A runway model is 1.73 meters tall or 2,000,000,000,000 nm

A red blood cell is 7,000 nm

Nanoparticle is 1 nm

What will we be wearing in the year 2100?

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