TEXTILES.ORG
E-textiles in health monitoring
April 8th, 2019
The potential, progress and challenges for next generation smart garments. Among the many benefits promised by the smart fabric revolution has been the “consumerization of health care.” Wearables are enabling the remote monitoring of a wide range of chronic medical conditions, from diabetes, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure (CHF) to symptoms of disease, […]
Move over, synthetics
October 22nd, 2018
There’s a new appreciation for the versatility of natural fibers in high tech fabrics. Since the industrial revolution, textiles have transitioned from natural fibers of cotton, wool, silk and linen, to textiles created from petroleum products and reconstituted wood pulp. Today’s synthetic fibers are stronger, cheaper to manufacture, and have proven easily adaptable to a […]
New technologies are redefining today’s textiles
March 26th, 2018
From raw materials to manufacturing processes, the word “textile” takes on new meanings. Textile technology is undergoing a revolution, with innovative structures, raw materials and manufacturing platforms creating new fabrics that defy old-school definitions. Introductory textile science classes taught us that textiles were materials that could be woven, knit, crocheted, knotted or felted from yarns […]
Challenges and opportunities
October 23rd, 2017
Smart fabrics products may require novel textile substrates. A key takeaway from the Smart Fabrics Program and E-Textiles Workshop at IFAI Expo this September was the symbiotic relationship between smart technologies and the development of suitable textile substrates to facilitate the desired function. While the fashion apparel business has become increasingly commodity-driven, smart fabrics require […]
A long and winding road
October 9th, 2017
The progress of smart fabrics discussed at IFAI’s Advanced Textiles Conference. Smart fabrics, generally defined as textiles that sense and react to various individual stimuli to provide desired effects or benefits, are now entering their third decade. Early smart fabrics relied on specially engineered fibers or finishes, while the digital revolution and the Internet of […]
Rethinking odor control
July 10th, 2017
New antimicrobial technologies focus on treatments for 'permastink.' It’s everywhere, and it’s not attractive. Permastink—the unpleasant smell that won’t wash out of textile products—has become a topic of conversation for consumers and brands alike. Polyester and other synthetic fibers are the materials of choice for the active performance and athleisure styles consumers now wear throughout […]
Are smart textiles ready for the real world?
March 24th, 2017
Over the past decade, we’ve seen a slow but sure evolution of wearable electronics, including smart textiles, designed primarily to monitor body functions and communicate with the Internet of Things. But a great many were not especially wearable, and some never made it out of the lab. The tide, however, seems to be turning. Première […]
Sustainability imperatives drive textile innovation
December 22nd, 2016
Sustainability in textile development and manufacturing is an ongoing conversation, much of it revolving around processes that conserve energy, water and natural resources. But beyond manufacturing processes, sustainability issues are driving true technical innovation, resulting in new products offering a host of advantages. Replacing PFCs in DWRs The search for alternatives to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) […]
The technology incubator
December 9th, 2016
IFAI Expo showcases the best of advanced textiles developments. Walking the Advanced Textiles section of IFAI Expo in Charlotte this fall was a bit like touring a food market where an array of ingredients is on display, waiting for a chef to choose, combine them and create a dish whose value is above and beyond that […]
IFAI Expo highlights textile testing’s growing relevance
November 18th, 2016
Most of us are familiar with the basics of textile testing for comfort, aesthetics and durability in apparel textiles. But the development of textiles for technical and industrial end uses requires an understanding of existing and new criteria for measuring and evaluating textile attributes. These and other aspects of textile testing were included in the […]