The course provides an overview of the main materials used in the sports sector, such as functional textiles, composite materials, membranes, and protective materials. Students will explore, on the one hand, thermo-physiological aspects by analyzing the interaction between the human body, materials, and the environment; and, on the other hand, performance aspects, focusing on the mechanical properties of materials and the innovations related to their applications. The course includes an introduction to numerical models and simulation techniques used for the study and design of sports materials. Within this technical-scientific framework, a design-oriented perspective is also introduced. The course offers an overview of the role of Design in defining new types of products, product systems, and product-service systems; particular attention will be given to methods and processes for demand analysis, problem framing, and project development, as well as to the involvement of different user groups through approaches centered on their needs and perspectives, including those related to sustainability. With regard to environmental impact and sustainability, the course will analyze the impact of sports materials in terms of CO₂ emissions, water consumption, and microplastic release along the textile production chain, as well as during the use phase and the post-consumption stage.

By the end of the course, students will have acquired an introductory knowledge of the materials used in the sports sector and their main functional and performance characteristics, understanding their strategic role within the design process. They will be familiar with the basic concepts related to thermo-physiological comfort, the mechanical behavior of materials, and performance, as well as with material selection criteria in the development of sports products, product systems, and product-service systems. The course will also provide tools to interpret the main sustainability aspects related to materials for sportswear and sports products, with particular attention to environmental impact, durability, life cycle assessment, and responsible design strategies. An introduction to numerical models and simulation techniques used in the study and development of sports materials will also be offered. At the same time, students will gain an introductory understanding of Design principles and will have experienced their practical application, learning to recognize and apply them consciously. They will become familiar with the basic concepts related to the different domains of design, the needs–performance chain, design with diverse user groups, the four components of technology, and user-centered design processes and methods, thus integrating technical-material knowledge with design competences within a systemic vision of the sports product.

Basic knowledge of chemistry and physics from the BSc Courses

• Overview of materials used in sport and their interaction with sport performance, with examples from pole vaulting, tennis, running, and swimming • Introduction to human energy balance and the role of clothing in conductive, convective, evaporative, and radiative heat exchange mechanisms • Materials for sportswear and their properties: fibers, membranes, waddings, and performance tests (air permeability, water vapour transmission rate, drying rate, waterproofness, thermal resistance, manikin tests) • Materials for sports footwear: running and mountaineering footwear (running economy, cushioning, carbon soles, protection against cold) • Wearable technologies for sport performance: smart textiles and embedded sensors • Advanced composite materials for sports equipment: reinforcements and matrices (aramid and carbon fibers, thermoset and thermoplastic matrices) • Composite manufacturing processes for sports applications (prepreg, RTM, filament winding, etc.) • Materials for impact protection: foams and auxetic materials • Biomimetic approaches in sports materials (pine cone, penguin, polar bear, lotus leaf effects) • Introduction to numerical simulations of sports materials, with reference to composite and textile materials • Innovation and design domain scales and models • The stages of the design project and related glossary • Problem framing and needs analysis • The needs-performance chain • Project user classes • The four components of technology and their application to project and product analysis • Appropriate technology and prototyping techniques • Principles, processes and methods for user-centred design: the problem ‘space’ and the solution ‘space’ • Sport and inclusion • Sustainability in the textile and sports sector: technical and regulatory framework • Synthetic microfibers in the environment: factors and methods for prevention • Textile management and recycling: technical requirements and operational limits

The course will be structured into lectures, computer-based simulation exercises, and laboratory activities.

Materials in Sports Equipment, 2nd Edition, Elsevier Textiles for Sportswear, Woodhead Publishing Germak C. (a cura di). L'uomo al centro del progetto. Allemandi, 2008 – open access

Slides; Materiale multimediale ; Strumenti di simulazione; Strumenti di auto-valutazione;

Modalita di esame: Elaborato grafico individuale; Accertamento (esame senza voto);

Exam: Individual graphic design project; Check;

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Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilita o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unita Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione piu idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.