I don’t have a small child, but if I did, I’m not so sure I’d want my kid’s diapers talking to me! But that’s just what Procter & Gamble has introduced with its Lumi, an all-in-one connected system that includes two activity sensors (presumably reusable) for diapers, a Logitech camera to be used as a Wi-Fi baby monitor and an app that integrates it all. No, the camera is not in the diapers, which was my first thought…rather, it is meant to be a sophisticated baby monitor for the nursery. This is certainly not new. What is new is the way it is packaged into a whole system. Lumi is not expected to be on the market until fall, and pricing has not yet been announced, but likely the diapers themselves will be comparable in price to other Pampers offerings. What’s different is a wider blue wetness strip on the outside of the diaper that allows the sensor to notify parents—via the Android or Apple app—that the diaper is wet. The sensor can also monitor sleep patterns. And the app also lets parents enter other data, such as feeding times and more, tracking data that can be helpful in establishing routines and for visits to the pediatrician. So from a technical textiles perspective, the difference here is the wider wetness strip, and other improvements that P&G has made to diapers over time. But the coolness of it has to do with the entire integrated system.

Other companies are moving into this lucrative market as well. Huggies will be offering Monit that includes a Bluetooth sensor attaching to the outside of the diaper. It actually senses dirty, as well as wet, diapers (Lumi only deals with wetness). It can also track sleeping patterns, and is already available in Korea and Japan, with launch in North America soon. While this solution doesn’t appear to be linked to an app or a camera, it will offer a subscription service, making it easier for parents and more profitable for the company.

This wouldn’t be my cup of tea, but geologists are doing important work at volcanic sites and need protective clothing. This is where Abby Romine, a graduate student in the Department of Textile and Apparel Management at the University of Missouri, comes in. If you are working around an active volcano, it can get pretty hot—1,300 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. So you obviously need protective clothing. But you would like it to be not only protective, but comfortable. Romine developed breathable gear with lightweight fabric that is breathable and doesn’t restrict movement. It’s also functional with all the pockets, clips and other gizmos geologists need when working in this volatile environment. Oh, and it’s flame and abrasion resistant, a must-have for lava workers. According to an article published by the University: