Wear Sustain calls for efficient wearables
May 11th, 2017
Wear Sustain, a collaboration among seven European organizations, is offering funding for teams of creatives and technologists to develop the next generation of sustainable wearables and e-textile ideas. The wearable technology project seeks applications from teams of art, design, technology or engineering practitioners and businesses to co-develop compelling, ethical, innovative and sustainable solutions for wearable […]
On a larger scale
May 9th, 2017
Keeping a person warm, cooled and therefore safe in extreme environmental conditions is no small matter. I speak from personal experience, as I have a lake cabin in northern Minnesota. The temperature has been known to hit -40°F. Don’t even think about the wind chill index at that temperature. Of course, I don’t think about […]
Shape-shifting “smart” sofa reconfigures itself
May 9th, 2017
The latest version of a shape-shifting sofa called Lift-Bit was unveiled recently at Milan Design Week 2017. Lift-Bit is a collection of individual upholstered stools that can be assembled as a sofa. Motion-tracking sensors allow each segment of the sofa to be controlled—to turn the sofa into a bed, chaise lounge, group of armchairs or […]
GOTS-certified facilities increase in 2016
May 9th, 2017
In 2016, the number of facilities certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) increased by 21 percent for a total of 4,624. GOTS-certified facilities are now located in 63 countries around the world. (They were located in 68 countries in 2015.) GOTS certification covers the processing of organic fibers along the supply chain, from […]
Let your shoes find your way
May 9th, 2017
Dominic Wilcox has created functional GPS shoes that promise to guide the wearer to any destination, anywhere in the world. A Global Footprint project in Northamptonshire, U.K., an area famous for shoe making, commissioned Wilcox to create a pair of shoes. As he sketched his way to coming up with a design, he was inspired […]
Thermal control: beyond apparel
May 9th, 2017
A range of industries could benefit from new materials, processes and technologies. Recent advances in thermal control for apparel have “grabbed the headlines” in this type of textile technology, but there are highly sophisticated materials and technologies that are less obvious, but at least as impressive. Depending on what the desired outcome is, an approach […]
Project recycles to create new raw material for textiles
May 9th, 2017
The TeKiDe project is a collaboration between VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Aalto University with the goal of transforming wood fibers and discarded cotton textiles, such as used sheets and towels, into viscose-type fiber to be used as raw material for textile products. The project focuses on the carbamate, BioCelSol and Ioncell-F technologies, […]
“Kitty Hawk” makes flying over water accessible
May 5th, 2017
An new electric aircraft, designed to be flown over fresh water, has been introduced by Kitty Hawk Corp. Dubbed the Kitty Hawk Flyer, the aircraft has been tested and is legal to operate in the United States in uncongested areas under the ultralight category of FAA regulations. Users won’t need a pilot’s license to operate […]
Sympatex partners with Lenzing on laminates
May 4th, 2017
Sympatex Technologies recently presented the first results of its new cooperation with Austrian fiber manufacturer Lenzing AG. The companies are producing functional laminates based on botanic TENCEL® fibers. The laminates are intended to provide clothing with breathability and comfort while protecting the wearer from wind and water. According to Lenzing, TENCEL fibers are produced using […]
Samil Spinning closes deal with Buhler Quality Yarns
May 3rd, 2017
Switzerland-based Hermann Bühler AG has successfully completed the sale of its U.S. subsidiary, Buhler Quality Yarns Corp., to South Korean Samil Spinning Co. Ltd., as of March 20, 2017. Final closing was the end of April. Further details of the transaction were not disclosed. As a key player in the North American yarn market, and […]