New fabric heats on one side and cools on the other
September 27th, 2021
Set against an ordinary cotton T-shirt, a square of a new experimental textile illustrates how it can be reversed to either heat or cool. Photo: Zhejiang University/ Westlake University Scientists from China's Zhejiang University and Westlake University have created a jacket out of an experimental, reversible fabric that can both heat and cool the wearer. The […]
Inflatable hand could give amputees real-time tactile control
September 27th, 2021
An MIT-developed inflatable robotic smart hand gives amputees real-time tactile control, is soft, elastic and costs a fraction of comparable prosthetics. Photo: MIT/the researchers. Engineers at MIT and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have designed a soft, lightweight and potentially low-cost neuro-prosthetic hand that can give an amputee the ability to perform daily activities with dexterity. […]
Textiles’ role in the phase change material success story
September 27th, 2021
Schoeller Textil AG’s bionic c_change® climate membrane actively reacts to the ambient temperature. Photo: Schoeller Textil AG. Material advances: the next phase by Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its mutating variants, continues to rage worldwide, but it’s not the only pressing global issue. Climate change, too, has impacted nature and contributed to catastrophic fires and […]
Catching up with nature
September 27th, 2021
by Janet Preus A relatively new success story in the world of advanced textiles is that of phase change materials. They’ve even earned their own acronym – PCMs, which, in fact covers quite a range of materials designed to provide specific functionalities by responding to various environmental conditions. At the heart of PCMs are the […]
Hybrid Air Vehicles announces passenger service
September 27th, 2021
Photo: Hybrid Air Vehicles British manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) is bringing a new – and quite luxurious – option into the passenger transportation market. Billed as the “world's largest aircraft,” the company expects its Airlander 10 to be ready for passenger transportation in 2025. The exterior looks just like a very large airship, but the […]
Deadline Extended for Steve Lukos Memorial Education Scholarship
September 16th, 2021
The Steve Lukos Memorial Education Scholarship, to honor the career of Steve Lukos in the industrial textiles industry, has been extended to Monday, October 4. Steve Lukos was known as a hardworking, intelligent—a bit on the stubborn side—and innovator that refused to settle for anything less than perfection. He is noted as giving generously to […]
IFAI launches first podcast
September 14th, 2021
IFAI Talking Textiles The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) recently launched IFAI Talking Textiles, a podcast hosted by the IFAI Canada and the Advanced Textiles Products divisions. One episode will be available each month featuring interviews with members in the Canadian and advanced textile markets. “The Canada division wanted to offer content specific to […]
Anti-viral textiles wage war on COVID-19
September 13th, 2021
A mask that disinfects itself at the touch of a button has been developed by scientists at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and Swiss research and development company Osmotex AG. Photo: Osmotex. New treatments for textiles support the effort to contain the pandemic. by Debra Cobb While prosperous countries such as the U.S. and […]
Coal ash fiber company launches fundraising campaign
September 13th, 2021
GCS Fibers, an environmentally friendly manufacturer based in Virginia, announces the launch of an Indiegogo fundraising campaign for its growth in the U.S. and international markets. The company’s patented technology produces high quality, non-toxic mineral fiber through repurposing coal ash. GCS is seeking to raise $3.5 million to expand operations and build as many as […]
Footwear maker reaches net-zero emissions
September 13th, 2021
Twisted X®, a Twisted X Global Brands company, and maker of sustainable footwear, announces that the company has reached net-zero emissions and is furthering its commitment to maintaining carbon neutrality. This qualification comes after assessing 2020 emissions from business operations at their headquarter offices in Texas, contract factories in Mexico and Asia, and third-party distribution […]