MIT researchers create workout suit with living microbes that open flaps in response to sweat

MIT researchers have created a workout suit with flaps activated by living microbes . The microbial cells have been chosen for how robust and sturdy they are, as well as how easy they are to genetically engineer to introduce additional functions. The microbes were “printed” on to the fabric, and as such act as both tiny sensors and actuators. The workout suit has flaps, with the microbes inside. In dry conditions, the flaps would remain shut, but when the microbes were exposed to moisture, the flaps would open, allowing for the air to flow and cooling the body.

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The researchers created a heat map and a sweat map of the body. The two are apparently not the same, the lower spine for example produces a lot of heat, but does not accumulate too much sweat. The flaps were designed on the suit based on a combination of the heat and sweat maps. The microbes are safe to touch, and even consume. The flaps have been tested for over 100 cycles in the lab environment, without any degradation in quality.

Once the microbes were proven to work with sweat, additional features were introduced. A luminescence function makes the microbes glow in the presence of moisture, so a runner in the dark can alert others on the road. Now, researchers plan to add an odour component, that makes the microbes release a scent at just the right time during or after a workout, to mask the body odour produced by the intense activity.

The research has been published in Science Advances. Xuanhe Zhao, co-author of the paper says “This work is an example of harnessing the power of biology to design new materials and devices and achieve new functions. We believe this new field of ‘living’ materials and devices will find important applications at the interface between engineering and biological systems.” The researchers are finding a sportswear company to tie up with, to commercialise the technology.