July 2, 2020
Skyrocketing demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) to combat the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a worldwide tightened supply of durable water repellents (DWR) and antimicrobials that are used in the textile finishing process. While the surging need for face masks and other protective medical gear can be a boon for the industry, as mills …
July 1, 2020
ProSane Wear has developed a new workout face and sweat towel hoodie that provides an effective way to protect the face from germs when working out at the gym or jogging. Sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company says the hoodie is the first of its kind, combining performance, style and hygiene into a single …
June 30, 2020
Raven Engineered Films is manufacturing a new Berry Amendment compliant plastic film to help meet the high demands for personal protection equipment (PPE). Raven BioFlex™ I270C is a high-strength polyethylene film used in the manufacturing of nonsurgical disposable medical isolation gowns. BioFlex™ film is manufactured with premium quality colorless polyethylene for the production of high-demand …
June 22, 2020
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard University have demonstrated a new method for ‘programming’ liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) that enables them to twist and bend in the presence of light. This made it possible to replicate the complex twisting actions of the human muscle system in the materials, a breakthrough particularly useful for applications in soft robotics …
June 22, 2020
A preprint paper published recently by scientists from Indiana University suggests a fabric which eradicates the infectivity of coronaviruses on contact by generating an electric field. In the fight against Covid-19, protective personal equipment has played a central and critical role for the safety of healthcare workers. However, the virus can attach to the surface of PPE …
June 22, 2020
As information on coronavirus becomes available, face covers and PPE specifications and standards should be developed in response. by Seshadri Ramkumar On June 18, Governor Gavin Newsom of California issued a statewide order mandating face cover use in public places and areas where social distancing is not feasible. Although a brief description of “face covers” …
June 22, 2020
by Janet Preus We are far enough into this pandemic to realize it’s not going to be over soon. The need for face coverings for the general population, never mind the continuing shortage of PPE for health care workers and first responders, is growing, not shrinking. We are also learning more about how the coronavirus …
June 22, 2020
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers have mentioned that using face masks can be a problem when treating Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients. Now a team of researchers from the Swiss interdisciplinary research institutes EMPA and EPFL, in its EssentialTech Center, has developed a completely transparent surgical mask made from a biomass-based material and has created …
June 22, 2020
According to AKAS Textiles, a recent study titled “Effectiveness of Common Fabrics to Block Aqueous Aerosols of Virus-like Nanoparticles,” shows that in an aqueous media under positive pressure of 20 Kilo Pascal, stimulating the sneeze or cough found that the top performer face mask was one constructed using fabrics manufactured by AKAS, a Pennsylvania-based textile …
June 19, 2020
Developed by Kiev-based industrial designer, Ivan Zurba, this wearable sound system is designed to become a part of you during your exercise routine. Unlike typical portable bluetooth speakers, this device clips on the user’s forearm, allowing the user to listen to music on the move, whether walking, jogging or cycling. According to an article on designboom.com, The device …
March 17, 2020
As concern over the Coronavirus (COVID-19) grows, I want all IFAI members to know we are closely monitoring developments and following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). We will follow their recommendations to keep our employees, their families and our members healthy and safe. With this in …
October 4, 2019
Keynote speaker Thom Singer hosted IFAI’s annual award ceremony October 3 at Expo 2019, continuing his message to “see people.” As Expo exhibitors and attendees entered the breakfast event, Singer encouraged people to separate from familiar colleagues and sit with new people. This year’s award ceremony was infused with an additional goal—that of networking with …
October 4, 2019
“The building block is fabric, but there are a million possibilities to utilize solar,” says Pvilion founder and CEO Colin Touhey. Touhey gave an introductory presentation October 3 at Expo 2019 on cases for energy generation in fabric products. One of his first projects using solar cells in fabric was architectural in nature when he …
October 3, 2019
Amid the latest fabrics, equipment, technology and services for the specialty fabrics industry, Lorenzo, Lilo, Lolo, and Lulo stole hearts, and, according to some dog lovers—the show—at IFAI Expo 2019 in Orlando, Fla. For this Expo, the Industrial Fabrics Foundation (IFF) and the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando came together to promote two great causes. …
October 2, 2019
The U.S. government is the largest buyer of goods and services in the world, and there are enough opportunities available for everyone to participate in military contract bidding, if you follow the right steps, according to Jennifer Fennell, CPM, director of procurement for Polo Custom Products, Topeka, Kan. Fennell and Jeff Papalia, textiles program manager …
October 2, 2019
Bud Weisbart, vice president of AR Tech, Fontana, Calif., led the advanced textiles conference session “Growing through diversification into technical markets: from trash covers and truck covers to ground support and flight hardware,” presented Tuesday, Oct. 1, at IFAI Expo 2019 in Orlando, Fla. The session explored how diversification based on core competencies—capabilities or advantages …
October 2, 2019
Thom Singer, the keynote speaker at IFAI’s annual meeting on Wed., Oct. 2, at IFAI Expo, is clear about one thing: People want to do business with people they know, like and trust. And that connection won’t happen through second-hand tools offered on social media or other electronic sites. Singer, a consultant to executives and …
October 18, 2018
Advanced Textile Products and the Narrow Fabrics Institute, divisions of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), recently selected the winners of the 2018 Advanced Textiles Student Design Competition. The awards were announced during IFAI Expo 2018, held in Dallas, Texas, Oct. 15-18. First Place First-place honors went to J. Walter Lee, Stephanie Wang and Caroline …
October 17, 2018
When you plan to sell a textile product, there are numerous reasons to test it before taking it to market. Many of those testing results tell you what you can ultimately communicate to others about your product, and what they can expect of your product. Dr. Emiel DenHartog, North Carolina State University, College of Textiles, …
October 17, 2018
All the best from Texas: Wednesday morning, Oct. 17, at IFAI Expo led off with lists of winners for the year, including the most popular products on the show floor. The seventh annual Show Stopper competition was designed to showcase the best of the best in the industry, from fabrics, equipment and chemicals to services …
June 22, 2020
As information on coronavirus becomes available, face covers and PPE specifications and standards should be developed in response. by Seshadri Ramkumar On June 18, Governor Gavin Newsom of California issued a statewide order mandating face cover use in public places and areas where social distancing is not feasible. Although a brief description of “face covers” …
June 8, 2020
The future of drug delivery via clothing is here. by Janet Preus Presentations at IFAI’S Smart Fabrics Conference in April reflected a range of topics in the growing field of smart fabrics. In a session titled, “Clothing: The Next Frontier for Drug Delivery,” Nufabrx founder and CEO Jordan Schindler explained that we could soon make …
May 25, 2020
A multidisciplinary approach to innovations in PPE could support needed development. by Seshadri Ramkumar Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) are important and even mandatory procurements under any circumstance. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the need for the development of a variety of items, including new materials to be used in medical, consumer and defense products. The …
May 11, 2020
New materials and compositions for fabrics spur innovative products. by Marie O’Mahony Health and safety are proving to be key drivers for innovative new fabric structures. These can prompt new designs in existing products and devices, or even whole new products. This is possible with imagination, expertise and an openness to look for solutions outside …
April 27, 2020
Once confined to elite sports and fitness, high-tech apparel textiles are becoming the norm. by Debra Cobb The popularity of sport and fitness brands has grown with innovation on the part of high-tech textile and technology companies. Now these functional textiles, once enjoyed only by elite athletes and uniformed personnel, are becoming the norm for …
April 27, 2020
IFAI’s Summit discusses new innovations, cybersecurity, industry engagement. by Janet Preus The Smart Fabrics Summit was held virtually this year. Presented by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce in collaboration with the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), its speakers covered a range of topics particularly pertinent in the smart fabrics market area today. The first session, …
April 27, 2020
Textile product manufacturers step up to produce personal protective equipment. by Dara Syrkin In 1910, a doctor named Lien-teh Wu was called on to help combat a plague sweeping through northern China. He determined that the disease was not caused by fleas but was contracted through the air. A recent Fast Company article recounts this scientist’s work that …
April 13, 2020
The textile industry turns to biomaterials and biomimetics for green alternatives. by Glenna B. Musante Textile and outdoor gear communities are looking for ways to limit the use of petroleum products. To achieve this goal, apparel and gear brands, as well as ingredient manufacturers within the textile industry supply chain, are beginning to replace or augment …
April 9, 2020
Manufacturers new to PPE face challenges in supply chains and specs. by Janet Preus The rapid spread of the coronavirus was accompanied by an urgent call for personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly face masks. There were plenty of manufacturers who wanted to join the effort to provide PPE, but they had never made these products …
March 30, 2020
The textile industry moves quickly to provide critical supplies to fight COVID-19. As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, the story has changed daily and even hourly. The textile industry has galvanized to respond to the need for medical masks, hospital gowns and other textile applications. In some cases, manufacturing facilities shuttered due to the crisis, were …
February 10, 2020
Nerve agents are some of deadliest substances on the planet. From Sarin gas, which turns the human nervous system against itself, to mustard gas, which burns on contact and disrupts respiratory function, these chemicals, often unseen, are ones the U.S. Army is working to protecting against and destroy. A new fabric, generated by Omar Farha’s …
January 27, 2020
by Chris Jorgensen During a meeting at IPC APEX EXPO 2017, members of the e-textiles industry approached IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries) to help achieve their goal of developing international standards for their burgeoning field. IPC standards are open international standards, meaning anyone can participate in the process and can influence IPC standards, and because …
October 21, 2019
Global yarn production has increased by 17 percent between the final quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2019, according to the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), a recent article in knittingindustry.com said. Higher output levels were observed in Asia (+18 percent), Brazil (+18 percent), the U.S. (+3.2 percent) and Europe (+1.6 percent). The …
October 11, 2019
Governor Gina Raimondo recently joined with University of Rhode Island (URI) President David Dooley to announce $1 million in funding for the creation of the 401 Tech Bridge, the Rhode Island Materials Innovation Center. Industry partners will be able to work in the 401 Tech Bridge Center with the University of Rhode Island and entities …
October 2, 2019
Each year, the Leadership Development Committee of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) follows a detailed process outlined in association bylaws for electing new board members. As recently announced at IFAI’s annual meeting at IFAI Expo in Orlando, the following individuals have been chosen to serve on the IFAI board of directors: Ron Houle, president …
July 29, 2019
Join industry experts October 1 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., as they lead educational and inspiring sessions at the Advanced Textiles Conference. Presentations will cover topics in military, medical, smart fabrics and aerospace markets, as well as discussions about innovation and standards. Speakers include: Elaine Duncan, MSME, RAC, AIMBE, Paladin Medical Inc. …
June 19, 2019
The Association of Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) presents RISE 2019 Sept. 24–25 at North Carolina State University (NC State) in Raleigh, N.C. The conference is designed to be two days of in-depth technical exploration into “what’s next” and “what’s needed” from leaders in materials research and innovative science as applied to engineered fabrics, the organizers of …
June 18, 2019
Covestro has completed the expansion of its thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) capacity at its Changhua manufacturing site in Taiwan, according to Knitting Industry.com. The company predicts that the plant will cater to the Asia Pacific region’s market needs, including providing bio-based TPU. TPU is used for flexibility and performance in the footwear and automotive markets as …
June 17, 2019
IPC E-Textiles 2019 is a technical education workshop for innovators, technologists and brands to learn about the latest innovations, designs and manufacturing concepts and to collaborate on solutions and identify partners. The event takes place at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 10–11, 2019. The event will provide a venue for active participation during technical …
June 10, 2019
The LOOMIA Electronic Layer (LEL) by New York, N.Y.-based LOOMIA Technologies has received the 2019 NYCxDesign Award for Technology. The small startup was in competition with projects by much larger companies, such as Steelcase, Basalte, and Frasch. While LOOMIA is known for its smart textiles for apparel projects, the firm’s industry reach now extends to …
June 22, 2020
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard University have demonstrated a new method for ‘programming’ liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) that enables them to twist and bend in the presence of light. This made it possible to replicate the complex twisting actions of the human muscle system in the materials, a breakthrough particularly useful for applications in soft robotics …
June 8, 2020
Octopus, squid and other sea creatures can perform a disappearing act by using specialized tissues in their bodies to manipulate the transmission and reflection of light, and now researchers at the University of California Irvine have engineered human cells to have similar transparent abilities. In a paper published recently in Nature Communications, the scientists described how …
May 25, 2020
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the race has been on to provide adequate numbers of personal protective equipment (PPE). Designers, manufacturers and individuals at home have come out in force to offer creative solutions ranging from 3D printed shields to DIY face masks. Since many of these designs have used plastic-based material, Elizabeth Bridges and Garrett Benisch of Sum …
May 11, 2020
Los Angeles-based creative studio Production Club offers a solution for the music and night life industries, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has recently released renderings of its latest concept, the Micrashell Protective Suit. As stay-at-home restrictions are eased, there is still a need to be assured of safety, even when you first venture out socially. Designed …
May 5, 2020
The textile industry is set to put microalgae to work to develop materials for fabrics, apparel and footwear, according to a Sportstextile.com article. Companies around the world are collaborating, researching and producing materials using some of the simplest organisms. Finishes Research has made algae’s contributions to the textile industry into a rapidly changing landscape, the article reports. …
April 27, 2020
Infrared radiation, which is invisible, is used for various purposes, including for coronavirus detection (through thermal imaging cameras and biosensors). A Korean research team has developed a technology that visualizes infrared radiation and expands its application range, a report on www.phys.org says. The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has announced that Dr. Kwon Seok-joon’s research …
February 24, 2020
Although it cannot be described as a textile, this material could replace some things that textiles provide. A team of scientists at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California is investigating and prototyping new technologies that could grow habitable structures on the moon, Mars and beyond. The technologies rely on fungi and mycelia, the branch-like threads that are …
January 27, 2020
The EXOlung, an underwater breathing device, has been designed to give divers an unlimited air supply, its creator says. The device translates the diver’s swimming motions into air movement, keeping breathing air flowing—as long as the diver keeps swimming. EXOlung uses a buoy that floats on the surface of the water to provide the diver …
January 13, 2020
Inspired by the cuttlefish’s undulating fin motion, startup company Undula Tech LLC has developed a turbine using soft material that can harvest the energy in flowing air and water. The goal, is to make renewable energy accessible and affordable worldwide. Its Undula Generator is, by design, more adaptable, sustainable and cost-effective than rotary turbines and solar …
November 25, 2019
Tech-based clothing startup Vollebak has launched a T-shirt made entirely from wood pulp and algae. The shirt will break down in soil or in a composter within three months. Vollebak sources wood from eucalyptus, beech and spruce trees, which are chipped and pulped before being turned into fiber, then yarn and finally into fabric for …
July 1, 2020
ProSane Wear has developed a new workout face and sweat towel hoodie that provides an effective way to protect the face from germs when working out at the gym or jogging. Sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company says the hoodie is the first of its kind, combining performance, style and hygiene into a single …
June 22, 2020
A preprint paper published recently by scientists from Indiana University suggests a fabric which eradicates the infectivity of coronaviruses on contact by generating an electric field. In the fight against Covid-19, protective personal equipment has played a central and critical role for the safety of healthcare workers. However, the virus can attach to the surface of PPE …
June 22, 2020
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers have mentioned that using face masks can be a problem when treating Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients. Now a team of researchers from the Swiss interdisciplinary research institutes EMPA and EPFL, in its EssentialTech Center, has developed a completely transparent surgical mask made from a biomass-based material and has created …
June 19, 2020
Developed by Kiev-based industrial designer, Ivan Zurba, this wearable sound system is designed to become a part of you during your exercise routine. Unlike typical portable bluetooth speakers, this device clips on the user’s forearm, allowing the user to listen to music on the move, whether walking, jogging or cycling. According to an article on designboom.com, The device …
June 8, 2020
Smart PPE developer Kenzen has launched a real-time worker heat monitoring system. The Cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) system includes a wearable device worn by workers on their arm which alerts both the worker and their supervisor when core body temperature is too high. Real-time alerts allow for immediate intervention and worker safety from …
June 8, 2020
One day, soldiers could cool down by using “wearable air conditioning,” an on-skin device that can achieve around 11°F of cooling to the human body. Designed by engineers at the University of Missouri, the device can also monitor blood pressure, electrical activity of the heart and the level of skin hydration. This breathable and waterproof device delivers …
June 8, 2020
French material manufacturing company Serge Ferrari Group has developed and patented a virucidal technology for composite membrane surfaces that the company says is capable of eliminating coronaviruses by up to 99.5 percent. Relying on the properties of silver particles, the company has found a way to prevent fabrics from becoming propagation sources for viruses and bacteria. When …
May 25, 2020
Swiss hygiene company Livinguard has announced that its technology for disinfecting textiles has been shown, through scientific testing, to destroy human coronavirus 229e. The new research revealed that textiles treated with Livinguard’s technology can destroy pathogens of all kinds upon contact, including human coronavirus 229e, and the protection is sustained through multiple uses and washes. …
May 25, 2020
AR Tech, Fontana, Calif., has received emergency approval for the use of its Patient Isolation Transportation Unit (PITU) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. PITU is designed to temporarily isolate and transport patients with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection. “There is no adequate, approved and available alternative to the emergency use of the …
May 19, 2020
Lombardy, Italy-based Warp Knit (WKS) specialist Cifra SpA has recently engineered and produced a range of protective masks called Warp-Mask, which will be used to help in the country’s fight against COVID-19. Cifra CEO Cesare Citterio says the design of its hi-tech mask will be OekoTex Standard 100 certified, warp-knitted, double-layered, water-repellent, knitted in one without …
