The apparel company Fifty One Apparel, based in London, UK, utilizes Outlast technology—the same technology used to manufacture gloves for astronauts—to create clothing that alleviates hot flashes for women going through menopause.
Every year in the United States, approximately 1.3 million women enter menopause. This condition can last for several years and often leads to debilitating symptoms, including hot flashes.
Special fabric outfit for menopausal women – (Photo: CNBCTV18)
Recognizing this need, Fifty One Apparel has employed fabric made using Outlast technology developed by NASA to create clothing for menopausal women.
This fabric features temperature-regulating properties, helping to combat symptoms such as hot flashes or chills experienced by women.
Outlast technology was developed in the 1980s when officials at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston contracted with Triangle Research and Development Corporation to create a material capable of maintaining stable temperatures for astronaut gloves.
Through thermoelectric technology, engineers created tiny capsules known as thermal molecules, which were then embedded into fabrics and various fibers.
Amy Ross, one of NASA’s space suit engineers, stated that their suits, made with thermoelectric technology, can withstand extreme temperatures—ranging from 120°C to below freezing—while keeping astronauts comfortable enough to perform their tasks.
The Outlast thermoelectric technology was subsequently trademarked and manufactured by Outlast Technologies in Boulder, Colorado, USA.
By combining Outlast technology with cellulose fibers, Fifty One Apparel’s clothing retains the temperature-regulating properties of phase change materials while maintaining the appearance of high-quality fabric.
In addition to providing comfort through self-regulating temperatures, this technology also makes the clothing lightweight and easy to wash.
The initial product line included a series of shirts in four styles, which were sold to consumers in the London area at events.
To date, the company has developed a variety of products utilizing Outlast technology, including accessories such as scarves, face masks, and versatile fashion outfits suitable for walking, exercising, office work, and travel.
As of 2021, the United States is the second-largest market for Fifty One Apparel after the UK, and the company is seeking a local distributor for its products.
