Lift My Mind

The ‘Lift My Mind’ rucksack is a digital olfaction artefact that can be worn safely as a sports accessory. A replaceable cartridge system was created to fit a small unit within a customised front panel of a North Face rucksack and used to demonstrate computer-controlled ‘solid-scent’ delivery for sports endurance. The unit has the capacity to dispense three aromachological compounds and draws on NASA research into the effectiveness of peppermint oil to enhance mental and physical performance, for example, in long-distance running.

The rucksack was first exhibited at a showcase of the global textile innovations at the 2012 VF Corporation world summit (parent company for The North Face, Eastpak, Vans, Wrangler, Timberland and others) where its capability to dispense peppermint, citrus and lavender oils was demonstrated.

The novel scent delivery system's inventors are Jenny Tillotson with Professor Chris Lowe and Dr Colin Davidson, University of Cambridge Institute of Biotechnology, patent pending; includes a scent-impregnated solid polymer material and a powered dispersal system which allows scent to be released without the complications of handling liquid aroma in electronic products.

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