The Laboratory activities are developed around four main areas:

1) Environment conditioning;

2) Usage Simulation with thermal manikins;

3) Usage Simulation with Humans;

Environment Conditioning

The conditioning of the test environment is achieved in a large climate chamber. This equipment allows to control a large number of parameters (temperature, relative humidity, rain intensity, air velocity/direction and solar radiation level), which enables to mimic, in the laboratory, the conditions under which the final products are used.

Usage Simulation with thermal manikins

The evaluation of the thermal performance of clothing and footwear is done using thermal, sweating manikins. These inform on the thermal characteristics of products, such as heat and water vapour resistance, during simulated, i.e. with or without motion (walking and running), heat production and water release (sweat simulation). The performance of products can thus be assessed in a more representative, repeatable and effective way.

Usage simulation with humans

By testing clothing and footwear with humans (wear trials) one can study the influence of product characteristics on human physiology. The goal is to obtain information on the performance of products and, at the same time, to inform on the best way to protect and enhance thehuman body characteristics. Some relevant parameters are the body local temperatures, heart rate, sweat production, sensations of thermal discomfort, thirst and fatigue and range of motion. For monitoring and studying these parameters, CeNTI has several data acquisition systems, e.g. portable data loggers, infrared cameras and goniometers. For the control of the physical activity we have cycle-ergonometers and treadmills.

Skin – textile interaction

The study of the skin-textile interaction aims to provide answers to the emerging evaluation needs in the cosmetic-textiles domain. The goal is to create solutions for the characterization and evaluation of cosmetic-textiles in terms of effectiveness and durability of the several expected effects (e.g. moisturizing, slimming, anti-cellulite, aromatizing, relaxing, etc.). For this purpose, CeNTI has several skin probes which inform on the properties and/or characteristics of the skin in contact with the cosmetic-textile, namely hydration, elasticity, transepidermal water loss, pH and sebum content.

In all of these domains, the laboratory aims to develop solutions for the evaluation of indicators of performance and comfort, following standardized procedures or protocols developed according to product/industry needs.