‘Twistron’ yarns can harvest energy

September 11th, 2017

An international research team has developed high-tech yarns that generate electricity when they are stretched or twisted. The team is led by scientists at The University of Texas at Dallas and Hanyang University in South Korea and includes researchers from South Korea, Virginia Tech, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and China. They recently published their findings […]

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USTR releases NAFTA negotiating objectives

September 11th, 2017

The office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer recently released a summary of the negotiating objectives for the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The Trump administration will seek an agreement that reduces the U.S. trade deficit and improves market access in Canada and Mexico for U.S. manufacturing, agriculture […]

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Stanford develops a soft, expanding robot

September 11th, 2017

Mechanical engineers at Stanford University have created a robot inspired by organisms that cover distance by growing, such as vines, fungi and nerve cells. According to Stanford sources, the researchers’ aim is to establish a new approach to getting mobility from a mechanism. “It’s very, very different from the way that animals or people get […]

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A new NAFTA?

September 11th, 2017

How trade deals currently in discussion could impact the textile industry As a presidential candidate, Donald Trump promised to improve U.S. trade deals, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Since taking office and after threatening to withdraw the United States from NAFTA unless its terms were renegotiated, President Trump has cajoled Mexico and […]

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Sustainability report on INSQIN waterborne PU

September 8th, 2017

A recent life-cycle assessment (LCA) suggests that Covestro’s INSQIN, which uses waterborne polyurethane (PU) for the manufacture of PU synthetic, is a more sustainable way to produce coated textiles than solvent-based technologies, according to information provided by the company. An independent third party conducted a review of the LCA study and results in accordance with […]

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Transparent, halogen-free aqueous FR coating developed

September 7th, 2017

Three Japanese companies have collaborated to develop a new aqueous, transparent flame-retardant coating. Landex Coat Flame Retardant Clear is the joint project of Dainichi Giken Co. Ltd., Daimaru Kogyo Co. Ltd. and Teijin Ltd. The new product is a halogen-free acrylic coating that can be applied to the surfaces of timber, paper, fiber, rubber and plastic. Application […]

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Floating Cloud is also a lamp

September 6th, 2017

Floating Cloud, a magnetically levitating ambient lamp, merges the levitation technology developed by Dutch company Crealev with the form and function of the Cloud product of Richard Clarkson Studio LLC, Brooklyn, N.Y. The result of the collaborative project is a lamp, constructed of PETG (Polyethylene terephthalate), polyester fiber, magnetic and electrical components, resembling a cloud hovering above […]

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ATEX expands meltblown capacity

September 5th, 2017

Nonwovens company ATEX Inc. has announced commercialization of a significant capacity increase for its meltblown and composites production, located in Gainesville, Georgia. The company, which specializes in spunmelt technologies, will be effectively doubling output and providing a new platform to develop novel products. This expansion allows ATEX to meet increasing customer demand for products in […]

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AMSilk named one of 50 most innovative companies

September 1st, 2017

AMSilk GmbH, Munich, Germany, announces that it was recently chosen by the German edition of MIT Technology Review as one of the 50 most innovative companies in the world. The list honors companies that have achieved a technological breakthrough by creating industry-changing products. The company was named among the three finalists in the “Technology” category. […]

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