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Every Expo is different, which is why it’s good to attend yearly, which I have done since I first took on an editor’s role at what was then IFAI. Today my organization is more aptly named for the times, the Advanced Textiles Association (ATA). Call them technical, functional or advanced, the textiles manufactured today are “advanced” wonders of technology. So are the means to make them, and the end products demanding materials of this caliber.
I try to make my blog posts about my most current features, which are always articles unique to this publication, Textile Technology Source. In this case, all of the copy in November is exclusive coverage of the Emerging Technologies (ET) Conference and other Expo events suitable for our coverage of the emerging tech end of the industry. You really will have to check back in a week for the rest of the story.
So, there’s an interesting range of markets and applications relevant for coverage in this publication. This year’s ET Conference presentations were especially good at delving into the details of a focused topic. For example, our most recent feature covers biomimetics, an analysis in performance footwear foam, and a new bio-based fire retardant.
Additional articles discuss topics that cross markets and market-specific processes. AI in quality inspection, and using AI tools to diagnose dye issues; a new way to engineer anti-smoke textiles; Lean manufacturing; and NASA’s search for textiles for upcoming missions.
Many industry participants have discovered ways to support their operations with a range of innovations and have been willing to share their experiences at Expo. This means real-world evaluations, not just theoretical “someday” scenarios.
It’s hard to imagine the topics most likely to be discussed at future Expos – not because I can’t name a few that I would expect to see, but because technology is changing so rapidly, I’m sure there are innovations I’ve yet to imagine.
But this Expo was my last. Early in 2027, I’ll retire from covering the textile industry, but I don’t think I’ll ever lose interest, and I’ll never think about “textiles” the same again.
Janet Preus is senior editor of Textile Technology Source. She can be reached at janet.preus@textiles.org.