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IFAI’s first Hackathon yields novel e-textiles products
October 9th, 2017
IFAI launched its first “Hackathon” at Expo 2017, challenging registrants to create a new, e-textiles product in just two days—which was actually just twelve hours of work time, as one participant pointed out. Teams of innovators conceptualized and built a functioning prototype for their product using only those materials and tools available to them in […]
A long and winding road
October 9th, 2017
The progress of smart fabrics discussed at IFAI’s Advanced Textiles Conference. Smart fabrics, generally defined as textiles that sense and react to various individual stimuli to provide desired effects or benefits, are now entering their third decade. Early smart fabrics relied on specially engineered fibers or finishes, while the digital revolution and the Internet of […]
STEM, women and the advanced textile industry
October 9th, 2017
by Marie O'Mahony With the U.S. set to overtake China as the most competitive manufacturing nation within five years, according to a new study by Deloitte Global and the U.S. Council on Competitiveness, the advanced and smart textile industry has to ensure that it has the skills needed to meet this increasingly high-tech industry. To […]
Innovative new products shown at IFAI Expo 2017
October 9th, 2017
The Advanced Textiles section of the IFAI Expo show floor was the central gathering point for industry participants engaging in lively discussions with their colleagues, listening to presentations by textiles experts and getting a first-hand look at some of the newest products and technologies available on the market. Advanced Textiles Source will run stories throughout the […]
IPC to host free e-textiles standards webinar
October 9th, 2017
The development and commercialization of e-textiles requires a collaborative effort among diverse areas of expertise. Although this market segment has seen impressive growth, there are concerns in the textile industry that proper standards have not yet been developed, much less implemented. At IFAI’s Advanced Textiles Conference in September, there was considerable discussion about moving forward […]
Allen E. Gant, Jr. retires as Glen Raven CEO
October 9th, 2017
Glen Raven Inc. has announced Allen E. Gant, Jr. has retired as CEO of the family owned company founded by his grandfather in 1880. Gant will remain chairman of Glen Raven’s operating board. Gant announced his plans to retire as CEO of Glen Raven in 2013. The announcement activated a succession plan that named C.G. […]
Hexcel launches new carbon fiber fabrics project
October 6th, 2017
Hexcel will launch MAXIM, a new government-backed 7.4 million pound research and development project, and expand its manufacturing facility in Leicester. The Multi Axial Infused Materials (MAXIM) project will explore the manufacture of new, cost-effective carbon fiber fabric forms and resins that can be made into parts without the need for autoclaves. Hexcel is installing […]
Enhanced silk as strong as carbon fiber developed
October 5th, 2017
Scientists led by Nicola Pugno at Italy's University of Trento have combined spider silk with graphene and carbon nanotubes, producing a composite material five times stronger. Innovation Textiles reports that silk incorporating graphene and carbon nanotubes is produced by spider spinning, after feeding spiders with water containing the nanotubes. Although only produced on a small […]
BeoCare and Fra Production strike up alliance
October 4th, 2017
Italian Fra Production SpA has acquired a minority stake of BeoCare Group Inc., a manufacturer of knitted medical textiles based in Hudson, N.C. According to Textile World and BeoCare, Fra will be the sole European distributor for all BeoCare products, including seamless fixation pants, maternity and surgical garments, and elastic products. BeoCare will be Fra’s […]
Baldwin to acquire Ahlbrandt System
October 4th, 2017
Baldwin Technology Company Inc., which provides process automation solutions, consumables and services to the print, textile and film industries, announced that an agreement has been reached to acquire Ahlbrandt System GmbH. The acquisition is pending German government approval, with a target closing date of September 30. Headquartered in Lauterbach, Germany, Ahlbrandt’s 87 team members and corona […]