Smart pants that promise to stop embarrassing odours are set to become a commercial reality after an inventor teamed up with University experts.

Entrepreneur Paul O’Leary has secured a contract for his company Devolup with De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester to develop his unique underwear designs as part of the University’s focus on supporting businesses.

The agreement provides business support worth £50,000 and sees Paul working with DMU’s experts in product design, technical textiles and intellectual property.

Business owner Mr O’Leary created the garments with friend and textile designer Darren Cleary. In the last year they have road-tested more than 180 prototypes.

Mr O’Leary said: “This is a revolution in underwear. Our designs filter out flatulence odours and provide new levels of comfort and support.”

The male and female garments are made of unique layered material with activated carbon cloth to filter 90 per cent to 100 per cent of odours. 

Such material has been widely used in the defence sector, for example in chemical weapons suits, but until now has not been cost-effectively transferred to mainstream clothing.

Mr O’Leary explained: “The aim is to give people freedom they wouldn’t otherwise enjoy. Social occasions can be difficult if you have digestive problems but our garments can prevent embarrassment.

“Our designs are a vast improvement on similar products on the market which can be uncomfortable, ineffective and unattractive. Ours look like normal underwear but more stylish. They are fitted, flattering and made from innovative materials.”

During the process of designing to control odour effectively, the inventors also discovered the garments are very supportive.

“We are now developing a separate line of male underwear featuring adjustable support to alleviate discomfort and provide styling advantages in much the same way as the padded bra,” Mr O’Leary added.

The collaboration is part of ProspectIP, an innovation initiative of the University.

Mr Peter McLeod, Innovation Manager at DMU, said: “This idea fits a gap in the market, addressing a common problem in an innovative way.  Enterprise is vital to our economy and by supporting inventors through the commercialisation process in this way we can help them protect and profit from their ideas.”

Mr O’Leary said: “The support from DMU is invaluable. We gain the benefits of working with leading experts in textile design, testing and intellectual property, who have the know how to develop a product and take it to market. We certainly got a better deal than we would have got if we’d gone to the Dragons’ Den!”

The products are now undergoing testing and further development at the University. The company plans to sell the products online by June and is already taking email orders.
In addition to the commercial agreement with DMU, Devolup has also offered one of its students a full time job.

Katie Crease will begin work as an underwear designer at Devolup when she graduates from DMU’s unique BA (Hons) Contour Fashion course in July. The degree is the only one of its kind to specialise in lingerie, bodywear, swimwear and performance sportswear.