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Safety meets fashion in high-tech safety vest
December 28th, 2016
Paris-based safety apparel designer Urban Circus has introduced a high-tech safety vest that is a far cry from the neon-yellow safety vests well known to construction workers. The vest features blinking LEDs; thermo-isolated mittens; a GPS tactile pocket; flexible, breathable and water-repellant material; high visibility and reversibility. Visible from more than 800 feet, as opposed […]
Under Armour expands “smart-shoe” portfolio
December 23rd, 2016
Sports brand Under Armour has announced the release of three new “smart” running shoes for 2017. The brand unveiled its first smart shoe, SpeedForm Gemini 2, at the start of 2016 as part of its Connected Fitness product portfolio. The three new shoes—the SpeedForm Gemini 3, SpeedForm Velociti, and SpeedForm Europa—feature Under Armour’s Record Equipped technology, […]
AFFOA announces Project Call 1.0 for fabric innovations
December 22nd, 2016
The mission of the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFO A) is “to enable a manufacturing-based revolution—the transformation of traditional fibers, yarns and textiles into highly sophisticated, integrated and networked devices and systems, and facilitate the conversion of the textile industry into an Intellectual Property-differentiated, value-added, high-tech industry.” To that end, the AFFOA has issued […]
Spinnova unveils wood-fiber fabric
December 22nd, 2016
Finnish fabric innovator Spinnova Oy has unveiled its wood-fiber yarn; the wood-fiber manufacturing method was originally developed by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Spinnova has continued to develop the technique. Spinnova’s technology uses no chemicals, or energy- and water-consuming steps, so the environmental footprint will be much smaller than for polymer or cotton-fiber […]
Sustainability imperatives drive textile innovation
December 22nd, 2016
Sustainability in textile development and manufacturing is an ongoing conversation, much of it revolving around processes that conserve energy, water and natural resources. But beyond manufacturing processes, sustainability issues are driving true technical innovation, resulting in new products offering a host of advantages. Replacing PFCs in DWRs The search for alternatives to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) […]
Medical implants change to meet patient preference
December 22nd, 2016
A growing geriatric population, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and consumer preference for minimally invasive surgery are stimulating product advances, as medical device players rethink their application and market segment strategies. According to a report by San Antonio, Texas-based research firm Frost & Sullivan, the adoption of device implants is gaining momentum among patient populations […]
Biomimicry design competition opens
December 22nd, 2016
Applications are now open to enter the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge, an annual competition that asks teams comprising students or professionals to address critical global issues with nature-inspired solutions. The challenge is hosted by the Missoula, Mont.-based Biomimicry Institute in partnership with the Ray C. Anderson Foundation. According to the press release announcing the program, […]
Medical textiles: what’s next?
December 22nd, 2016
“Health in hands,” is one of the catch phrases that illustrate a new focus in health care today. Proactive health care by monitoring and managing health issues continues to gain broader acceptance, particularly in developed and developing economies. Textiles of many kinds enhance health care products and contribute to the next phase of improvements. The […]
Archroma receives eco award from Pakistan
December 21st, 2016
Swiss specialty chemicals developer Archroma has received the Award for Eco-innovation from WWF-Pakistan at the local World Wildlife Fund branch’s annual Green Office Network Meeting in Karachi. The award recognizes Archroma’s efforts to foster sustainable innovations aimed at preserving ground-water reserves and developing eco-efficient processes that reduce energy, process time and resource consumption. The award […]
“Sky Nest” tent wins Good Design Award
December 20th, 2016
Japanese outdoor-equipment developer Snow Peak recently won a Japan Good Design Award for its Sky Nest “floating” tent, which is suspended from trees and off the ground. Measuring approximately 4-by-7 feet, with an inner liner to help protect campers from wetness and condensation, the tent features a ventilator at the top to help keep cool […]