ComfortScience™

Optimizing the relationship between the weight, shape and size of the body and the material to create a supportive, high-performing system.

• Parameters: Elasticity
  The ability of a material to maintain or return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed; perceived as stretchiness.
  
  
• Parameters: Durability
  The capacity of a material to withstand pressure, wear or damage; perceived as sturdiness, robustness and strength.
  
  
• Parameters: Support
  The way in which a material bears the weight and pressure applied by all or part of the body; perceived as softness or firmness.
  
  
• Measurements: Compression Set
  The degree by which a material has permanently deformed after a force that has been applied to it over a period of time is removed.
  
  
• Measurements: Pressure distribution
  The level of pressure observed from point to point within a material; the way in which pressure is spread over an area.
  
  
• Measurements: Hysteresis
  The energy absorbed by a material when it is being deformed; high hysteresis can represent poor resilience and slower recovery.

Maintaining comfortable levels of temperature and humidity in the microclimate that exists between materials and the human body.

• Parameters: Temperature
  The thermal activity in the space between the material and the body; perceived as coolness or warmth.
  
  
• Parameters: Humidity
  The amount of water vapor in the air found within the material and around the body; perceived as levels of humidity.
  
  
• Parameters: Freshness
  The ability of material to retain its original qualities unimpaired by heat and moisture; perceived as a clean look, feel and scent.
  
  
• Measurements: Micro-compression
  The relationship between stress and strain within a material that has been compressed by 10%; represented as slopes of varying steepness.
  
  
• Measurements: Moisture transport
  The movement of water vapour within and around the material; the speed and direction at which it is absorbed and released.
  
  
• Measurements: Temperature diffusion
  The rate and direction at which temperature spreads within and around the material; the time and space in which heat is retained or lost.
  

Understanding a material’s textural qualities and its response to light touch, in order to deliver a tangible sensation of wellbeing.

• Parameters: Touch
  The initial sensation experienced by applying the lightest pressure and movement across the surface of a material; perceived as roughness, smoothness, softness, elasticity, etc.
  
  
• Parameters: Imprint
  The feeling experienced as a material either presses against or moulds itself to the contours of the body; perceived as enveloping, moulding or malleable.
  
  
• Parameters: Travel
  The experience felt in the time between applying pressure to a material and then settling into it; perceived as sinking, weightlessness or immersion.
  
  
• Measurements: Micro-compression
  The relationship between stress and strain within a material that has been compressed by 10%; represented as slopes of varying steepness.
  
  
• Measurements: Recovery time
  The time in which it takes a material to return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed.
  
  
• Measurements: Creep
  The tendency of a material to move slowly or deform under the influence of stress; the speed and direction in which this occurs.