Big and small-busted women the world over can rejoice. Australian engineers are developing a bra that tightens automatically when the wearer moves and relaxes when she is sitting or standing still.
The "bionic bra" will be shaped like a traditional over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder, but will contain sensors that detect breast movement. When breast bouncing becomes too extreme, artificial muscles integrated into the bra will kick in and restrict movement.
When the wearer is standing still or not moving much, the bra will revert to its normal, more comfortable, structure.
Co-inventor Gordon Wallace said present sports bras that provided support to restrict movement were often uncomfortable, especially for large-breasted women.
"And those [bras] that are comfortable don't provide the support when women need it," said Professor Wallace, the director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, based at the University of Wollongong (UOW).
The bra's artificial muscles are made of tightly coiled nylon fibres, known as "smart yarns".
When coiled in a certain way, the nylon acts like a muscle and contracts.
"They shrink and provide constriction in response to too much movement," Professor Wallace Professor Wallace said.
Another team member, biomechanist Julie Steele, said incorrect breast support could cause long-term injuries, including back and neck pain.
Breast Research Australia, a centre also based at UOW and which Professor Steele directs, found that 85 per cent of women wore bras that did not fit or support their breasts correctly.
The team are working with industrial designers and fashion experts to finalise their prototype.
"Although we have made substantial progress, we still have a way to go before the bionic bra can be taken from the bench top to the washing machine. However, when finished, the bionic bra will transform bra design," Professor Steele said.
Professor Wallace presented their bionic bra developments at the ninth Australasian Biomechanics Conference at the University of Wollongong this week.
