HKRITA Received Multiple International Innovation Awards

The Hong Kong Research and Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has participated in various international awards to enhance research capabilities and foster industry collaboration. In April, HKRITA has received the Edison Award 2024 and five accolades at the 49^th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.

Winning Edison Award 2024

The Edison Award has recognised research projects in fields such as healthcare, machinery, electronics, logistics, and environmental protection since 1987. This year, HKRITA’s project “Developing a Customised Comfort Bra to Aid Recovery from Mastectomy” received the Gold award in the “Social & Cultural Impact (Health & Wellness)” category. This is the second time that HKRITA receives the Edison Award, following last year’s award for Green Machine.

This project employs ergonomic design and 3D printing structure design and engineering to develop bra and removable bra pad. Its soft and breathable fabric enhances comfort of wearers. Its structural design and reinforcement elastic bands help improve body balance as well. As most rehabilitation bras and prostheses available in the market are typically designed based on Western models, the development of this bra has addressed the needs of Asian breast cancer survivors in finding suitable and affordable products.

This bra won a Gold Medal at the Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days in 2022. Last year, Comfort Me, a local social enterprise, signed a technology licensing agreement to use the project’s technology in the production of underwear products, further promoting the project commercialisation.

HKRITA believes that R&D can enhance the quality of life, and we are honoured that this project can help breast cancer survivors to regain physical and mental wellbeing.

Our R&D team closely communicates with the survivors to understand their needs and to develop customised bra

Project video

 

Receiving Five Awards at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva

The International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva is one of the world's largest annual events devoted exclusively to invention. This year, more than 1,000 inventions from nearly 40 countries and regions were showcased in the Exhibition. HKRITA has been participating in this exhibition since 2010 and we won two Gold Medals, one Silver Medal and two Bronze Medals this year. These textile technologies encompassed areas on textile recycling, material applications, wastewater treatment and regenerative agriculture. You can find out more about the winning projects on our website.

Dr Alex Chan, Senior Research Manager of HKRITA, introduces the Gold Medal project "Dye Removal from Denim Textile Wastewater by a Combinative Adsorption and Regeneration System" to the visitor

Visitors show great enthusiasm in learning about the project "Lightweight Fabric-based Breathable Metamaterial for Low Frequency Noise Insulation"