Nanotech clothing that can power your gadgets

What is the clothing of the future? How about a gym shirt that can monitor heart rate, analyze sweat loss and keep you at an optimal temperature? Or, a pair of pants that charges your cellphone when placed in your pocket? This technology is available now.

Slide over Paris and London. High-tech fashion is making its debut. U.S. and Italian scientists have created light-weight cotton thread that can conduct electricity, as well as a good old metal wire. According to Science Daily the innovation allows clothing makers to permanently coat cotton fiber with nano-particles, literally by weaving the atomic-sized electrically conductive material into the fabric. The fabric is easily workable and can be used in normal textile applications "such as weaving, sewing and knitting". "A great myriad of applications can be achieved", said a scientist after a "fashion show" where they debut a dress that could power a smart phone. The dress and the technology will be featured at the annual Cornell Design League Fashion Show on March 13 at Cornell University's Barton Hall.