Australian engineers are changing the world - one uncomfortable breast at a time.

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has presented the latest prototype of its Bionic Bra, which automatically adjusts itself in response to breast movement.

The latest smart-bra has been discussed at the 9th Australasian Biomechanics Conference (ABC9) at the university this week, but the researchers behind it have been dreaming of a better boulder-holder for over 15 years.

Now that technology is finally starting to catch up with the researchers' wild imaginations, the golden age of high-tech undergarments could be getting closer.

Professor Gordon Wallace, Executive Research Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science based at UOW, said the Bionic Bra team has recently discovered new actuators and sensing technologies that will bring the bra to life.

“Our ability to make things from advanced materials has been greatly enhanced recently with the advent of new approaches to fabrication,” Professor Wallace said.

“The advent of approaches such as 3D printing has enabled us to assemble structures containing new sensing technologies to more accurately monitor movement and new artificial muscle technologies to control it. These advances have inspired us to re-confront the challenges involved in creating the Bionic Bra.”

Professor Julie Steele, Director of Breast Research Australia (BRA) based at UOW, has been working with Professor Wallace on the bra since its inception.

She has also been investigating the movement of women’s breasts during physical activity for more than a decade.

She said without the right breast support, long-term damage can be done, including numbness in the fingers caused by compression of nerves on the shoulders, as well as neck and back pain.

“Unfortunately, the most supportive sports bras tend to be the most uncomfortable to wear. Making matters worse, BRA research has found that 85 per cent of women are wearing bras that do not fit or support their breasts correctly.”

While vast improvements have been made recently to the design of the Bionic Bra, the researchers say there are still some kinks to iron out.

“Although we have made substantial progress, we still have a way to go before the Bionic Bra can be taken from the bench top to the washing machine. However, when finished, the Bionic Bra will transform bra design," Professor Steele said.

“Results indicate that our technologies can sense breast motion and provide additional breast support. The challenge now is to integrate these technologies into a functional, comfortable bra,” Bionic Bra team member Dr Sheridan Gho said.