What’s in a Name? A New Look at Smart Textiles
April 8th, 2016
The market for smart textiles is expanding at an exponential rate, with predictions of its potential value ranging from USD$1.59bn to $4.72bn by 2020. As coined in 2009, the term “smart textiles” is defined as textiles that can sense and react to environmental conditions or stimuli from mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical or magnetic sources. In […]
Best timing of a news release ever
April 8th, 2016
By now, I would suppose that all you have to say to those in the textile industry is “$317 million” and they’ll know what you’re talking about. Last Friday the U.S. Dept. of Defense and MIT announced a consortium including academia, industry and government established to research and manufacture advanced materials, particularly with applications for […]
Plastic-eating bacteria could fuel recycling revolution
April 8th, 2016
Researchers at Japan’s Kyoto University have discovered a plastic-eating bacteria that could have a major impact on recycling efforts around the world. Similar research by San Francisco-based Ambercycle Inc. has been rewarded with a 250,000-euro ($283,000) Global Change Award funded by the H&M Conscious Foundation, an arm of Stockholm, Sweden-based clothing retailer H&M. According to […]
Quick-response smart clothes
April 8th, 2016
Smart clothing of the future will automatically adjust itself according to the wearer's actual needs VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. has developed new technology for the thermal, moisture and flow-technical behavior of smart clothing, automatically adjusting according to the wearer's individual needs. The technology is also suited for use in medical and sports […]
U.S. boosts funding for next generation textiles development
April 7th, 2016
On April 1 as the U.S Dept. of Labor announced that 215,000 non-farm jobs were added in March, the federal government announced another positive development for the next-generation textile industry with the creation of a national institute to spearhead what one might call an “Internet of Textile Things.” A consortium taking the name “Advanced Functional […]
Innovations in nonwovens the highlight TAPPI conference
April 6th, 2016
“Novelty” will be the focus of the 2016 Nonwovens International Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, scheduled for May 16-18 at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Convention attendants will focus on novelty in terms of technology and sustainable products for new applications. Topics will cover developments in natural fibers, polymers, binder additives, and will features innovations in […]
IFAI applauds RFT-MII announcement
April 5th, 2016
The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) applauded Friday’s Department of Defense announcement that Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) was selected to lead the Revolutionary Fibers and Textiles Manufacturing Innovation Institute (RFT-MII). The RFT-MII is a collaborative effort between government and the private sector to accelerate the development of the next generation of highly functional […]
SYFA spring conference to be held in Charlotte, N.C.
April 4th, 2016
The Synthetic Yarn and Fiber Association (SYFA) holds its Spring Conference April 21–22, 2016 at the Sheraton Airport Hotel in Charlotte, N.C. The theme of this year’s event is “Textile Materials in Motion … Moving Industry Forward.” Topics for presentations include: electronic textiles, advanced weaving technologies, market forecasts for motor vehicle markets, developments in Nomex® […]
Defense Secretary Carter unveils $317 million deal for high-tech textiles
April 1st, 2016
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter plans to announce today a new $317 million initiative to develop high-tech fibers and textiles that could eventually store battery power, advanced computer circuitry and health sensors in troops’ clothing. As reported in Military Times, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Defense Department will help fund a consortium […]
Enter the 2016 International Achievement Awards
April 1st, 2016
The 69th Annual International Achievement Awards are open for entries. Industrial fabric companies from around the world are encouraged to compete in new categories that showcase innovation, technical skill and design excellence. The competition has changed a bit this year with a “Best in Category” award in each of the seven major. The major categories […]