Looking for the latest in “high tech” fashion?

How about garments which also serve as batteries for powering up your mobile gadgets?

According to an article on PC World “Stanford University researchers have developed a way to effectively make batteries out of fabric. The method used is similar to the one developed to make batteries out of paper. It’s pretty out-there, but it could be the first step in developing clothing that could be used to charge portable electronics like MP3 players or smartphones.”

The “fabric batteries” could also be used to create “self-heating” garments – sort of like an “electric blanket on-the-go.”

Researchers have also developed garments that are capable of displaying illuminated messages, using LEDs. According to the article “Recent research in stamping inorganic LEDs into fabrics introduces more possibilities to make light-up clothing similar to Phillips’ Lumalive products.”

“Inorganic LEDs usually need to be cut and assembled for use in devices like cell phones,” the article states. “But newer methods allow them to be fitted onto all kinds of materials including rubber, plastic and glass.”

As the article points out, these developments will likely be of interest to fashion designers (after all, Fashion Week 2010 is now underway) looking to create unique products that will differentiate them in the marketplace.

Just be careful when you wash these garments, or you could be in for a shock…