Sports equipment in an alpine environment
Mountaineering is crucial for tourism in the Alpine region and represents a significant economic factor. The security risks that are associated with the exercise of these sports can be significantly influenced by specific protective equipment. To minimize the risk of injury while increasing the comfort of mountaineers, the present project sets itself 3 goals:_x000D_
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1) The development of a textile fiber for use in climbing ropes, which changes its color as a function of the exposure to UV radiation and the consequent aging of the material. The color of these fibers indicates when the rope should be replaced for safety reasons. _x000D_
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2) The study of friction of textiles on snow and ice, with the aim to develop a tissue that helps reduce the speed and, thus, the risk of injury in the case of falls (e.g. in alpine skiing). _x000D_
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3) To increase the wearing comfort of mountaineering clothing by developing and researching innovative textile materials that exhibit favorable thermoregulatory properties, while ensuring protection against environmental influences and without limiting the required mobility for the exercise of these sports. To realize these objectives a transnational consortium with unique expertise in biomechanics, performance physiology, textile science and industrial engineering will be established.