Copper coins and moldy bread
September 10th, 2013
The use of what we now call antimicrobials has been around for centuries, although our understanding and ability to make use of the technology is dramatically more sophisticated than the ancient Greek’s (and other cultures’) method of applying moldy bread to a wound. The gods, rather than disease-killing chemicals, were likely credited with this treatment’s […]
September 2013
September 10th, 2013
KYMIRA Sportswear Not every observer buys into the claims of this sportswear company. It uses a new, but quite credible technology. What do you think? New nanomaterial increases yield of solar cells Researchers have optimized the nanostructures so that a solar cell provides more electricity and loses less energy in the form of heat. Paper-thin […]
Auxetics advances
August 13th, 2013
An engineering and design company, Advanced Fabric Technologies focuses on developing material solutions for military and commercial applications that incorporate auxetic architecture. The unique characteristics of auxetic geometry, a negative Poisson ratio, allow a fabric to become thicker under stress rather than thinner as experienced in most fabrics. The ability to move or expand under […]
Same technologies, new markets
August 13th, 2013
It sounds easy, doesn’t it? You already have this fantastic technology that’s been tested, prototyped and the first product launched. There’s quite a lot you can do with that one product, if that’s what it is: once it’s on the market somewhere, there’s the potential to find new markets elsewhere. But at some point, you […]
High fashion and highly functional
August 5th, 2013
The desire to realize a textile solar energy harvesting surface that offers maximum design freedom while still being highly efficient was the driving force behind The Solar Handbag, initiated by Swiss embroidery company Forster Rohner AG and conducted in a joint research project with Swiss partners, Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil and the NTB Buchs. It […]
Innovations from NILIT®
August 1st, 2013
NILIT®, a global yarn manufacturer, participated for the first time at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market show in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company offers a range of high-performance products made from NILIT’s innovative nylon 6.6 yarns: NILIT Breeze, the cooling yarn; NILIT Innergy, for far-infrared gentle heating; NILIT Aquarius, the moisture management fiber; NILIT […]
OutDoor recognizes Ecorepel
August 1st, 2013
Schoeller Technologies ecorepel® has won the OutDoor Industry Award at the OutDoor trade fair in the category “products of high ecological and sustainable value.” According to the company, the textile finish biomimics the natural impregnation water-repellent function exhibited by the feathers of ducks and other waterfowl. The odorless finish is based on long paraffin chains […]
“The chemistry inside innovation™” from Celanese Corp.
July 31st, 2013
Technology and specialty materials company Celanese Corp., Dallas, Texas, will showcase the scope of its diverse products at K 2013 Oct. 16-23 in Dusseldorf, Germany. Designed to help drive innovation in mobility, water, energy and infrastructure, healthcare and consumer products, the company has chosen the theme, “Celanese – The chemistry inside innovation™.” “Attendees will see […]
August 2013
July 31st, 2013
The ultimate in a customized shoe The ‘DNA 3D printed shoe’ will be designed according to the individual's foot contours and how that person moves. Under the sea Three Massachusetts research facilities will receive funding to help find out if undersea ''kites'' can reliably produce renewable energy. Bountiful bamboo One researcher’s fascination with textile engineering, […]
Unifi and Palmetto Synthetics announce agreement
July 29th, 2013
Unifi Inc., Greensboro, N.C., has announced its first manufacturing and distribution relationship, to be held with Palmetto Synthetics LLC. Under this relationship, Unifi’s REPREVE® chip, produced at the REPREVE Recycling Center, will be purchased and processed by Palmetto into staple fiber and will be sold under the REPREVE brand name. This will provide the textile […]