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The “magic” of carbon fiber
January 6th, 2017
I read up on carbon fiber basics to write this, even though I’ve been covering carbon fiber, its uses and products, for several years. I still don’t quite understand why it’s so strong and lightweight, but I suppose that’s a little like asking why the sky is blue. There is an explanation, but I probably […]
ClearView Power™ provides transparent solar energy
January 6th, 2017
Silicon Valley technology company Ubiquitous Energy has developed what it says is the world's first truly transparent solar technology. As reported in Energy Harvesting Journal, ClearView Power™ transmits visible light and selectively absorbs non-visible light converting it to electricity. It can achieve power conversion efficiencies over 10 percent, while maintaining up to 90 percent visible […]
New and better wearables predicted for 2017
January 6th, 2017
Some reports suggest that wearable technology is “over,” but Wearables Insider says otherwise. While the article by Dan Rosenbaum admits that 2016 was challenging, and that “the wristband part of the industry has consolidated and stratified.” But 2017 will have a new focus. This year, health and industrial applications of wearables will become commonplace and […]
Pakistan’s textile exports continue slide in 2016
January 5th, 2017
Overall textile exports from Pakistan continued to present a dismal picture for another year. The industry has been rendered not viable by the high cost of doing business. As a consequence, textile exports fell further by $600 million, says All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) chairman, Aamir Fayyaz. Total exports for the country are understood […]
Recycling textiles is a gift to the Earth
January 3rd, 2017
According to the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART), more than 95 percent of all textiles can be recycled or reused in some way. While nearly half of what already is recycled is reused as apparel, the trade organization says, another 30 percent become wiping rags or polishing cloths used in commercial and industrial […]
Sympatex to launch climate-neutral membrane
January 2nd, 2017
German textiles innovator Sympatex Technologies has announced it will introduce its “guaranteed green” membrane at ISPO Munich, an international sports-business expo, in February 2017. Sympatex’s new membrane is produced in a completely climate-neutral way for the first time, according to a company press release. In order to eliminate any contribution to climate change, the company […]
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 […]