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The evolving business of PPE
June 22nd, 2020
As information on coronavirus becomes available, face covers and PPE specifications and standards should be developed in response. by Seshadri Ramkumar Drexel University’s Center for Functional Fabrics is among the textile research centers helping to develop and produce new face masks in the fight against the coronavirus. Photo: Drexel University. On June 18, Governor Gavin […]
What I can do
June 22nd, 2020
by Janet Preus We are far enough into this pandemic to realize it’s not going to be over soon. The need for face coverings for the general population, never mind the continuing shortage of PPE for health care workers and first responders, is growing, not shrinking. We are also learning more about how the coronavirus […]
Electroceutical fabrics found effective against coronavirus
June 22nd, 2020
A preprint paper published recently by scientists from Indiana University suggests a fabric which eradicates the infectivity of coronaviruses on contact by generating an electric field. In the fight against Covid-19, protective personal equipment has played a central and critical role for the safety of healthcare workers. However, the virus can attach to the surface of PPE […]
Textile outperforms N95s in face mask tests
June 22nd, 2020
According to AKAS Textiles, a recent study titled “Effectiveness of Common Fabrics to Block Aqueous Aerosols of Virus-like Nanoparticles,” shows that in an aqueous media under positive pressure of 20 Kilo Pascal, stimulating the sneeze or cough found that the top performer face mask was one constructed using fabrics manufactured by AKAS, a Pennsylvania-based textile […]
Transparent surgical masks to be produced
June 22nd, 2020
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers have mentioned that using face masks can be a problem when treating Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients. Now a team of researchers from the Swiss interdisciplinary research institutes EMPA and EPFL, in its EssentialTech Center, has developed a completely transparent surgical mask made from a biomass-based material and has created […]
Twisting elastomers show promise in soft robotics
June 22nd, 2020
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard University have demonstrated a new method for 'programming' liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) that enables them to twist and bend in the presence of light. This made it possible to replicate the complex twisting actions of the human muscle system in the materials, a breakthrough particularly useful for applications in soft robotics […]
Wearable speaker can be worn while running or cycling
June 19th, 2020
Developed by Kiev-based industrial designer, Ivan Zurba, this wearable sound system is designed to become a part of you during your exercise routine. Unlike typical portable bluetooth speakers, this device clips on the user’s forearm, allowing the user to listen to music on the move, whether walking, jogging or cycling. According to an article on designboom.com, The device […]
Unifi achieves recycling milestone
June 18th, 2020
Unifi Inc., an innovator in recycled and synthetic yarns, has reached a key goal set in 201 of transforming more than 20 billion PET bottles. The driver of this new milestone was Unifi’s REPREVE® platform of recycled performance fibers, which has been adopted by more than 500 global brand and textile partners. Tom Caudle, president and […]
Kenzen’s body heat sensor system helps ensure worker safety
June 8th, 2020
Photo: Kenzen Smart PPE developer Kenzen has launched a real-time worker heat monitoring system. The Cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) system includes a wearable device worn by workers on their arm which alerts both the worker and their supervisor when core body temperature is too high. Real-time alerts allow for immediate intervention and worker […]
Engineers design “wearable air conditioning” for soldiers
June 8th, 2020
Photo: College of Engineering, University of Missouri. One day, soldiers could cool down by using “wearable air conditioning,” an on-skin device that can achieve around 11°F of cooling to the human body. Designed by engineers at the University of Missouri, the device can also monitor blood pressure, electrical activity of the heart and the level of skin […]