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Energy for the future
March 20th, 2015
Flexible and durable power-generating textiles are poised to make a difference in meeting tomorrow’s energy requirements. Looking forward, before imagination meets prototype, the next generation of energy-producing products seems unattainable. Looking backward, after such innovations are readily available, the development process seems logical—and simple. It’s the “hindsight is 20/20” phenomenon. While photovoltaic power-harvesting technologies are […]
Kelheim Fibres wins ITMA award
March 18th, 2015
Textile and garment machinery exhibition ITMA presented its 2014 Future Materials Award for Best Innovation in Medical Textiles to Kelheim Fibres GmbH, Kelheim, Germany. The company manufactures viscose specialty fibers from eucalyptus trees, including a new fiber called Bramante that absorbs more than double its own weight in liquids and retains it in the fiber. […]
Does she light up when she sees you?
March 17th, 2015
MIT researchers unveil “Social Textile” technology to take social messaging to a new level. Current technologies are good at connecting people at a distance, but less so at connecting them within the same environment, according to student researchers at MIT. “Social Textile,” a joint project of the MIT Media Lab's Fluid Interfaces and Tangible Media […]
Record cotton stocks expected
March 16th, 2015
Cotton stocks outside of China are estimated to rise to 9.5 million tons by the end of the 2014/15 season, the largest volume in 35 years, according to the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). As reported by sportstextiles.com, China’s stocks are expected to remain stable reaching just over 12 million tons in 2014/15, after increasing […]
First responder protection from exploding airbags
March 13th, 2015
The CEO of the Takata Corp. of Japan testified before a U.S. Congressional enquiry about approximately 12 million American automobiles with defective airbags featuring inflators that can explode, shooting out metal and plastic pieces. Five people have died, with multiple injuries reported worldwide because of exploding Takata airbags. This raises concerns for firefighters and first […]
Milliken & Co. earns ethics honor
March 12th, 2015
Milliken & Company, a Spartanburg, S.C.-based innovations company, has been recognized as a 2015 World’s Most Ethical Co. by the Ethisphere Institute management consulting group based in Scottsdale, Ariz. The designation recognizes organizations that have had a material impact on the way business is conducted by fostering a culture of ethics and transparency at every […]
Protect The Force wins U.S. first-responder apparel contract
March 11th, 2015
Protect the Force Inc., a subsidiary of Vancouver, B.C.-based Mission Ready Services Inc., has been awarded a contract to develop an Advanced Multipurpose Base ensemble for Emergency Responders (AMBER) for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The 14-month, $97,500 contract is awarded through North Carolina State University’s Textile Protection and Comfort Center (T-PACC). Protect […]
Akcros Chemicals offers solid biocide product line
March 9th, 2015
Akcros Chemicals of New Brunswick, N.J., has announced a successful startup for manufacturing solid isothiazolone-based INTERCIDE biocide pellets at their home facility, capping off a more than $1 million investment designed to offer enhanced quality control, regulatory approvals and reliability of supply. In 2014, Akcros Chemicals and Dow Microbial Control, a Dow Chemical subsidiary, extended […]
FlexTech Alliance Announces 3 New Development Agreements
March 6th, 2015
FlexTech Alliance, San Jose, Calif., has announced several development agreements in the field of flexible, printed electronics. The R&D agreements, which are primarily focused on project demonstrators, are a result of a 2014 FlexTech initiative, supported by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, Md. The awards were granted to: 1. PARC, a Xerox Company, […]
Personal power source
March 6th, 2015
Technology currently under research pursues low-power energy harvesting from the human body—and textiles will have an important role to play. Digital/electronic advancement has changed our culture into one that requires more information with less hassle and more privacy. Wearable electronics are playing a key role in the Internet of Things (IoT) as a platform for […]