New kinetic energy harvesting material is in development

December 9th, 2024

Scientists are working to create a new textile material for the U.S. Navy Seals that will generate kinetic energy (from movement) and temperature changes. Backed by the U.S. Office of Naval Research Global (ONRG), this innovative textile is designed to power communication systems and health monitoring devices. The project, named “Dual Envelope Multifunctional Fabric,” is led […]

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Flexible photovoltaics

October 25th, 2021

Graphene is being used in new flexible photovoltaic technologies.  President Biden’s climate agenda includes support for solar energy. by Seshadri Ramkumar The climate change issue is front and center on today’s political stage. The massive budget bill proposed by President Biden includes a climate agenda, which has also thrown a spotlight on the subject. In […]

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The challenge and possibilities in e-textiles

November 23rd, 2020

As part of the advanced textiles education at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020, Dr. Amanda Mills, Wilson College of Textiles, NC State University, discussed e-textiles in her presentation, “Textile Electronics: Product Design.” Putting all the elements together for an e-textile product is “a balancing act,” she said, stressing the importance of “innovation at every level,” starting […]

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Textiles and energy technologies for the future

August 26th, 2019

Energy harvesting wearables offer an intriguing alternative in meeting energy needs.  by Seshadri Ramkumar The topic of this article certainly exudes interest and intrigue, but while the nonconventional textiles sector has been well established for about 50-years, the energy harvesting field is yet nascent, and commercialization hasn’t reached a level that can be well quantified. […]

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