Imagine going to a concert where the band members need nothing but their clothing to create the same dazzling spectacle they provided when they still carried their instruments. That dream might be coming true this year after Shu-Te University employed X-Static fiber, which emits sounds that are comparable to actual musical instruments via the transmission of digital signals, in its clothing designs.
Department of computer science and informational technology assistant professor Huang Yung-jen (黃永仁) said that a research team at the department has utilized silver in X-Static fiber to transmit signals, adding that precautions have been taken so that the wearer will not get an electric shock.
The team also ensured that the hidden sensors in the cloth are removable so that the clothes could be washed, thus enabling repeated use, Huang said.
Photo: Chen You-cheng, Taipei Times
The research group is in the process of tweaking the design, such as changing the reception device from an audio output device to portable stereo devices, Huang said.
In practice, the clothing would be able to emit sounds when it is touched by transmitting the signals to a portable device on the wearer’s belt, the university said.
Student Tsou Sheng-chuang (鄒勝壯) said he has been playing the drums for many years and using the clothing was not hard to learn.
The sound quality is comparable to that of actual instruments, which could remove the necessity of carrying around heavy instruments such as drums, Tsou said.
However, guitarist Hung Yi-shan (洪誼珊) said it was difficult for her to grasp how to play music with the clothing and she had to try it for three days before getting the hang of it.
“It’s just different without the actual instrument in my hands, but it’s a great feeling to be able to play music wherever I want to,” Hung said.
The university said it hopes its products will help to integrate entertainment and fashion with the concept of healthy living.
NEW AGREEMENT: Malaysia approved imports last year after nearly two years of negotiations and inspections to meet quarantine requirements, officials said Up to 3.6 tonnes of pomeloes from Taiwan cleared Malaysian customs on Friday, in the first shipment of Taiwanese pomeloes to Malaysia. Taiwan-grown pomeloes are popular in domestic and overseas markets for their tender and juicy taste, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency said. The fruit is already exported to Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines, it added. The agency began applying for access to the Malaysian market in 2023, compiling data on climate suitability, pests and diseases, and post-harvest handling, while also engaging in nearly two years of negotiations with Malaysian authorities and submitting supplementary
PEAK MONTHS: Data showed that on average 25 to 27 typhoons formed in the Pacific and South China seas annually, with about four forming per month in July and October One of three tropical depressions in the Pacific strengthened into a typhoon yesterday afternoon, while two others are expected to become typhoons by today, Central Weather Administration (CWA) forecaster Lee Ming-hsiang (李名翔) said yesterday. The outer circulation of Tropical Depression No. 20, now Typhoon Mitag, has brought light rain to Hualien, Taitung and areas in the south, Lee said, adding that as of 2pm yesterday, Mitag was moving west-northwest at 16kph, but is not expected to directly affect Taiwan. It was possible that Tropical Depression No. 21 would become a typhoon as soon as last night, he said. It was moving in a
A Taiwanese academic yesterday said that Chinese Ambassador to Denmark Wang Xuefeng (王雪峰) disrespected Denmark and Japan when he earlier this year allegedly asked Japan’s embassy to make Taiwan’s representatives leave an event in Copenhagen. The Danish-language Berlingske on Sunday reported the incident in an article with the headline “The emperor’s birthday ended in drama in Copenhagen: More conflict may be on the way between Denmark and China.” It said that on Feb. 26, the Japanese embassy in Denmark held an event for Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s birthday, with about 200 guests in attendance, including representatives from Taiwan. After addressing the Japanese hosts, Wang
One of two tropical depressions that formed offshore this morning could turn into a moderate typhoon by the weekend, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. Tropical Depression No. 21 formed at 8am about 1,850km off the southeast coast, CWA forecaster Lee Meng-hsuan (李孟軒) said. It is expected to move in a northwesterly direction as it continues building momentum, possibly intensifying into Typhoon Mitag this weekend, she added. The radius of the storm is expected to reach almost 200km, she said. It is expected to approach southeast of Taiwan on Monday and pass through the Bashi Channel between Tuesday and Wednesday,
RSS