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Wearable airbag prevents hip fractures in the elderly
October 10th, 2014
ActiveProtective Technologies of Lehigh Valley, Pa, with support from product development firm Device Development (BDD), Boston, Mass., has developed a novel wearable product that the company says can prevent hard-to-heal hip fractures in elderly patients. The medical startup says the wearable airbag technology prevents hip fractures because the garment continuously monitors movement and deploys an airbag around […]
Kimberly-Clark introduces AERO BLUE* surgical gowns
October 10th, 2014
Kimberly-Clark Health Care has introduced the AERO BLUE* Performance Surgical Gown, a soft, lightweight gown that according to the company is four times more protective than other comparable surgical gowns. Using a proprietary fabric with innovative Core technology, it delivers the highest fluid protection available in a Level 3 surgical gown as defined by the Association […]
Faster photosynthesis in photovoltaics
October 10th, 2014
A collaboration among chemists and biologists from Ruhr-University Bochum has resulted in a new method for the efficient integration of photosynthetic proteins in photovoltaics. Their recent report in Chemistry (a European journal), selected as a very important paper (VIP) by the journal, offers a new immobilization strategy that yields electron transfer rates exceeding rates observed […]
A dress that senses CO2
October 10th, 2014
Danish Design studio Diffus co-founders Michel Guglielmi and Hanne-Louise Johannesen initiated a project to create the Climate Dress, an interactive garment that reacts to the CO2 changes in its surroundings by sensing the CO2 concentration in the air. In response to the levels of CO2, it lights up its more than 100 LEDs, creating diverse […]
BASF’s product portfolio evaluated for sustainability
October 10th, 2014
In order to better help its customers align environmental and societal aspects with business success, global chemical company BASF SE has developed a new process for steering its portfolio based on sustainability criteria. The Sustainable Solution Steering method is used to systematically review and evaluate the sustainability aspects of the approximately 50,000 relevant product applications […]
Climashield tapped for Beyond Clothing survival gear
October 10th, 2014
Clinton, Tenn,-based Climashield has joined outdoor-apparel maker Beyond Clothing of Seattle to produce the AXIOS Cold Jacket and Pant set that incorporates Climashield’s continuous filament insulation. Serving a variety of functions, the AXIOS Cold Jacket and Pant allow the wearer to move and work in a cold environment while retaining body heat. The set can […]
TenCate-led consortium wins innovation center subsidy
October 10th, 2014
A consortium of companies led by Dutch protective fabrics manufacturer TenCate has received a €1.5 million ($1.9 million) subsidy from the Province of Overijssel for the development of “The Factory of the Future,” a high-tech innovation center to be established in eastern Netherlands. The total cost of the factory is forecast to be around €6 […]
Research on spider silk fibers for composites in cars funded
October 10th, 2014
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a Utah State University professor nearly $2 million to produce synthetic spider silk fibers that could be used to make lighter, more efficient automobiles. According to a story in the Herald Journal of Logan, Utah, Randy Lewis and his Utah Science Technology and Research team were awarded $1.9 […]
Fuel economy drives fiber demands in the automotive sector
October 10th, 2014
Emphasis on sustainable architecture and consumer demand for comfort propel use of fibers in the global automotive sector. With stringent fuel emission legislations compelling original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to adopt “lightweighting,” the need for fibers is poised for rapid growth. In the long-term, next-generation telematics in vehicles will broaden the scope for smart textile fibers […]
Smart growth
October 10th, 2014
Jeff Rasmussen, market research manager for IFAI, provides an overview of growth and innovations in the smart fabrics market and what kinds of opportunities might accompany those advancements. He will speak on this topic Oct. 13 at IFAI Advanced Textiles Expo. Smart fabrics—including wearable products with electronics incorporated in them; materials and structures that sense […]