Apr 19 2010
The T-shirt has been specially designed for people who suffer from hyperhidrosis, a problem that gives rise to an excessive amount of sweat due to a malfunction in the sympathetic nervous system. The innovative design of the T-shirt and the treatment the material from which it is made undergoes make it the first T-shirt that completely eliminates sweat.
Everyone remembers the image on TV of a well-known football manager giving instructions to his players from the sidelines with his arms continuously in the air and huge sweat stains on his clothes due to excessive sweat. Hyperhidrosis is a problem that affects the everyday lives of 176 million people worldwide, according to figures from the International Hyperhidrosis Society. Feliu Marsal, the director of the UPC-Barcelona Tech's Technological Innovation Center (CTF) on the Terrassa Campus, and the Catalan company Sutran S.L. have created the first T-shirt in the world that, although unable to overcome hyperhidrosis, is able to completely eliminate its main effect: sweat.
The sportsmen compare the new T-shirt and a conventional one.
An air chamber between two special fabrics
There are textiles on the market that partly reduce the effects of sweat, but they do not completely get rid of it, as is the case of the innovative T-shirt that is already being sold by the company Sutran S.L. The secret behind this surprising innovation in textile design lies in the two layers of light fabric that are put together using a new technique whereby an air chamber is formed between the two layers. The air evaporates and completely removes all traces of sweat, thus keeping clothing dry at all times. The fabric that is in contact with the skin is made of extremely fine porous microfibers, which make it very comfortable to wear. It is also a good heat conductor and has a high absorption capacity. This inside layer likewise undergoes treatment that increases its breathability.
The outside layer looks exactly like the fabric of an ordinary T-shirt. In fact, it is made of cotton, but has a special finish that prevents perspiration from passing through it and makes it waterproof. Finally, the seams on the sleeves of the T-shirt are sewn using a special technique that seals them completely. These specific technical features on the two parts of the T-shirt and the creation of an air chamber between them makes sweat evaporate, thus offering maximum comfort at all times.
History
The history of the manufacture of this revolutionary T-shirt is by no means connected to the textile industry. The idea was sparked off by a Catalan businessman from the building sector whose company is based in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat. As a hyperhidrosis sufferer, he contacted the textile engineer Òscar Deumal to look into the possibility of making a fabric that prevented sweat from passing through it. A few months later, Deumal decided to contact Feliu Marsal, director of the UPC-Barcelona Tech's Technological Innovation Center. After working together for approximately two years, they finally made the first T-shirt that completely eliminates sweat stains. Sutran S.L. is already selling these T-shirts in a shop on Calle Mas in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat and on the Internet for around €22, depending on the design.
Hyperhidrosis
The human body has four million sweat glands. The brain sends messages to these glands to produce sweat to keep the body at the proper temperature in certain situations. However, people who suffer from hyperhidrosis continue to perspire regardless of the temperature or their state of anxiety. According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, 176 million people suffer from hyperhidrosis, a condition that makes people sweat six times more than is normal. This problem has direct repercussions on their daily lives: insecurity, embarrassment, depression, and emotional and physical discomfort. Hyperhidrosis sufferers usually experience negative attitudes at the workplace and in their personal lives; their ability to carry out activities such as playing sport or music, or to behave naturally in tense situations is also compromised.