Empa physicist René Rossi conducts research into the clothing of the future. What is it supposed to do? What is feasible? And how can 1.8 square meters of human skin be used to transfer data? One of the projects aiming in this direction is the "Weight-watcher-T-shirt": a tailor-made vest, which helps overweight people to watch their waistlines.

And also in this issue: The death knell for joints: compliant mechanisms – lighter, cheaper and more hygienic. --- "Lifejackets" for deep-sea drills: special ceramics help to tap into new crude oil and gas sources.