TEXTILES.ORG
An end-of-year industry wrap-up
December 16th, 2024
NCSU associate professor Sonja Salmon is studying a process for separating blended fabrics into their component fibers so they can be recycled or composted. Researchers there want to separate blended fabrics so their components can be recycled. Enzymes can degrade rayon in this blend (left), leaving clean elastane behind (right). Photo: Sonja Salmon. Research and […]
Next generation smart textiles are in development
July 29th, 2024
The Loomia Electronic Layer (LEL) is an alternative to flex PCBs, printed ink on TPU and traditional e-textiles. The technology is used to create custom heating, cabling, lighting, and sensing components. Photo: Loomia. In May of 2022, the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), the research and development arm of the U.S. Office of the […]
Preparing to say, “I told you so”
July 29th, 2024
It’s interesting to me how the smart fabric segment of the advanced textiles industry has found ways to maneuver around the limitations inherent in powering smart fabric products. In essence, a battery in the form of a puck, as it’s now called, provides the power—one way or another. Workarounds have been largely clever manipulations of […]
The Smart Fabrics Conference 2023
May 8th, 2023
Air Force Research Laboratory scientists have discovered a unique stretchable conductor that uses a polymerized liquid metal network. Photo: Second Bay Studios. This year’s Smart Fabric Summit was again organized by the Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) and the Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University (NC State) in Raleigh, N.C. The event took place […]
Advanced durable textiles for protective applications
April 10th, 2023
We wear textiles for protection from the elements—walking in the rain, shielding ourselves from the sun, or even removing dinner from the oven. It’s interesting to consider what goes into making these everyday textiles, but what about making more robust protective textile applications, such as gloves for utility work, scrubs in a medical setting or […]
Protective textiles: a sunrise sector
March 13th, 2023
U.S. warfighter clothing requires a range of functionalities, often incorporated into one textile. Images full of camouflage patterns and army combat gear are seen frequently in the news, no doubt in part because of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Next to weapons systems, the bullet proof gear and garments we are so used to seeing […]
Hohenstein expands services with new laboratory acquisition
March 13th, 2023
Boennigheim, Germany–based testing services provider Hohenstein has acquired the DAkkS accredited QAT Services Ltd. laboratory in Hong Kong. With this acquisition, Hohenstein is integrating the hardgoods knowledge of QATS employees into its portfolio. As a result, Hohenstein will provide full-service capabilities for Greater China and beyond. "The expansion is a strategically important step for Hohenstein,” […]
Bringing innovative textiles to market
June 24th, 2019
Partnerships all along the supply chain lend critical support in achieving goals. by Marie O’Mahony Rita McGrath, associate professor at Columbia Business School, advises that “change is not the dangerous thing, stability is.” In this second of two articles on innovation, the focus is on factors that can influence the way that innovative textiles come to market. […]