Women in Manhattan and Ithaca, ages 35 to 54, can earn $20 by volunteering to be measured by Cornell University apparel researchers who are using a state-of-the-art 3-D body scanner to measure more than 300,000 body data points.

Volunteers will don a one-piece, Lycra scanning suit and then a pair of dress trousers for the 3-D imaging and be asked to complete a questionnaire. Total time commitment: 40 minutes.

"We are collecting 3-D body-scan data from 200 women who wear pants size ranging from 4 to 24 to develop a method that apparel businesses can use to adjust their sizing systems to targeted markets. The data also can be used to determine population measurements, develop virtual try-on systems, create custom-fitted garments and generally to improve the fit and variety of available clothing," says Susan Ashdown, associate professor of textiles and apparel at Cornell who is collaborating on the project with Cornell colleague Suzanne Loker, the J.T. Clark Professor of Textiles and Apparel. An eye-safe laser light moves down the body as eight cameras capture images from every side of the body in just 12 seconds, Ashdown says.

The researchers are scheduling appointments in Manhattan from today (March 4) through March 27, Mondays through Wednesdays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Saint Laurie (the men's clothing manufacturer), 350 Park Ave., between 51st and 52nd streets. In Ithaca, volunteers are needed on Thursdays and Fridays.

Appointments can be made by contacting Lora Cowie at Cornell, (866) 709-4185 (toll free) or (607) 227-0088, or email lsc26@cornell.edu .

The research is supported by the National Textile Center, a federally funded consortium of universities conducting research to promote the U.S. textile and apparel industry. Cornell recently joined the consortium. The body scanner was donated to Cornell by alumna Rebecca Quinn Morgan.