Sense and react is the name given to products that have been designed and developed to respond to the wearer’s demands. Not every problem is obvious to the eye and many can only be recognised by listening and studying the products end uses very carefully.

Three examples of sense and react textile products currently available are as follows:

Harley Designer Pillow – A vast amount of people suffer from neck and back problems. Sufferers will explain that anything that can alleviate that nagging often excruciating pain can be a godsend. The Harley Designer Pillow was based on material that was originally designed by NASA, who had used it to reduce pressure in the spacesuits of astronauts. No one had used this material for a pillow before and to obtain the material proved to be very expensive. However, the pillow was designed with the support and advice of both doctors and physiotherapists and once NASA gave their approval and the material was manufactured, this unique pillow became available to the public.

Reed Chill Cheater – Reed Chill Cheater Limited have developed an innovative stretch lightweight fabric that they have designed to compliment their range of super lightweight wetsuits that are less restrictive than traditional ones worn by many water sports people. The Reed Chill Cheater fabric uses stretchy, laminated polyurethane outer with a flexible knitted inner weave. The dynamic fabric offers 100% UV protection is windproof, water shedding, thermal, super flexible and stylish. The fast drying, machine washable garments are easy to get in and out of and can be stuffed into any sports bag – making them hassle free.

Bodysensor Tights – When Marks and Spencer asked their customers what they thought about their opaque tights, 9 out of 10 said though they were happy with the warmth and comfort they provided, when temperature rose they became uncomfortable. It occurred to their technologists that this simple undergarment needed to be made of an intelligent material that could respond to the changes in temperature and keep the wearer comfortable at all times. By working with Nylon and Lycra divisions of chemical supplier Dupont and with M & S hosiery suppliers Aristoc providing their expertise and knowledge, an exclusive sandwich knit was developed for making the existing style of tights more appealing to customers needs.