From the depths of the mechanicalengineering department at Stanford University, headed up by one Professor FritzPrinz, a small outfit, Ardica Technologies (), has formed toprovide heat and power to apparel via miniaturization and energy-densitytechnologies developed off university brain trust and checks for $5 millionsigned by the U.S. Zenith replica watches Department of Defense. Uncle Sam cares little about ice climbers. But at Ardica,which is now a private company in San Francisco with 15 employees, moneyallocated toward the development of electronically-enabled military apparel ishaving residual effect for outerwear makers like Mountain Hardwear.
Some people will pay anything to be warm,said Sandra Rossi, a product manager at Mountain Hardwear whos working tounveil four Ardica Enabled jackets for fall of 2009.Additional heat without additional layers and bulk is always good. But Rossi said what sealed the deal for her company wasArdicas dual functionality of warmth swiss replica watches and power: With its slim battery pack, anArdica-powered jacket is touted to run heat up to 105 degrees whilesimultaneously charging all the iPhones and GPS devices a skier can stuff inhis or her inside pocket. The power-plug option distinguishes Ardica from pastproducts like The North Faces MET5 as well as current heated hoodies andshells from companies including Nomis Design and Rossignol, both of whichunveiled battery-heated offerings in the past year.
Ardica has a fuel cell indevelopment, but its initial product for the 09-10 ski season will be basedon a flat rechargeable battery pack that weighs less than a pound. The batterypack is a lithium-ion configuration with seven interconnected cells arrangedfor optimal power efficiency, according to the company. Ardica claims constant heat for several swiss replica watches hours can bemilked from the battery, which will sit between the shoulder blades on MountainHardwear coats. (Red Wing Shoe Company Inc. and Sitka Inc. have Ardica-basedproducts coming to market as well, according to an Ardica spokesperson.) Theheating elements are flat and flexible, measuring about 4 x 4 inches andconnected to the power source with wires embedded in fabric.
