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Sustainable wearables
October 21st, 2016
Overcoming issues of energy and consumer engagement. Over the past decade, environmental issues have become a major concern for the textile, clothing, footwear and related industries. For wearable technology, the energy needed to operate devices and refinements in the technologies and fabrics has been in focus for decades. But now that significant development in these […]
Bio-inspired swimsuits under research
October 21st, 2016
A team of researchers from Cambridge-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and visiting scientists from France took inspiration from beavers, a semi-aquatic rodent, to derive a mathematical model that could be used to develop swimsuits and functional coating processes. Beavers keep themselves dry and warm with the help of fur arranged in two forms with […]
IFAI Expo 2016: Show Stopper winners
October 21st, 2016
Thursday morning at IFAI Expo led off with lists of winners for the year—including the 2016 winners of the Show Stopper program, recognizing the most innovative new products in the exhibit hall. Thomson Research Associates was recognized for Ultra-Fresh DM-25 in the category of chemicals, coatings and compounds. Fenetex won for its Adjustable Tracks for […]
Protect your competitive advantage using intellectual property
October 21st, 2016
According to Art MacCord, a patent lawyer with MacCord Mason, marketplace winners are those whose products are unique and desirable. MacCord shared information about protecting your company’s competitive advantage and product differentiation using intellectual property during a campfire session on Oct. 20 at IFAI Expo in Charlotte, N.C. Intellectual property law cannot bestow desirability, but […]
Grit: guts, resilience, initiative and tenacity
October 20th, 2016
Wednesday morning’s keynote speaker at IFAI Expo 2016, Linda Kaplan Thaler, spoke with verve about the importance of “keeping at it.” Thaler is president of Kaplan Thaler Productions, a member of the Advertising Hall of Fame, and the award-winning author of the best-selling business book, “Grit to Great.” When she started her agency, she says […]
IFAI announces International Achievement Award winners
October 20th, 2016
The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) has awarded seven 2016 Best in Category International Achievement Awards (IAA) for design excellence in specialty fabrics applications at the 2016 IFAI Expo. IFAI Expo is the largest specialty fabrics trade show in the Americas, held this year at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C. For more than […]
In textile testing, little things matter
October 19th, 2016
The comprehensive tutorial on textile testing delivered at an Oct. 18 session by Dr. Jan Pegram Ballard of NCSU's College of Textiles to attendees at IFAI's Advanced Textiles Conference should be a required refresher course for anyone in the business. By highlighting the “little things” that can affect test results, the three-hour class exposed many of the difficulties […]
BMW focuses on a sustainable approach with CFRCs
October 19th, 2016
Dr. -Ing Joachim Starke, BMW, launched the Automotive Track at the Advanced Textiles Conference in Charlotte, N.C., with a description of BMW’s newest innovations in the use of carbon fiber. According to Starke, one of the main goals is to meet the growing demand for automobiles to be more sustainable. This includes lower carbon emissions. […]
Lightweighting in automotive materials
October 19th, 2016
Since the first automobiles hit the road, coated fabrics have fulfilled a critical role in decorative and functional surfaces for various trim applications such as convertible tops, seat covers, headliners, and other soft flexible components. In his presentation, Matt Williams, The Haartz Corp., discussed the latest innovations in these coated fabrics ranging from customizable jacquard […]
Expo keynoter addresses business ethics
October 19th, 2016
Expo Keynote luncheon keynote speaker, Chuck Gallagher, told his audience,” Every choice has a consequence.” He speaks from experience, having served time in prison for a embezzlement. But it was a crime that started small and grew incrementally, once he was on “that slippery slope.” Gallagher’s point in speaking to an audience of business people […]