Smart fabrics testing and standards under development

March 1, 2024  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

Smart textiles that use specialized polymers, chemical additives or electronics to react with their environment are changing textile technology in the 21st century. E-textiles or “wearables” have been particularly promising due to their ability to monitor and communicate data to provide sensory …
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Textiles in protection from bioagents, chemical warfare

February 1, 2024  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

The medical and military industries are both in need of fabrics that offer protection against biological threats in health care environments and, for warfighters, the threat posed by chemical warfare. The challenges faced are complex; protection against multiple agents could be needed, and the agent…
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ATA’s Emerging Technologies Conference focuses on the future

January 1, 2024  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

The Emerging Technologies Conference, part of Advanced Textiles Expo 2023 in Orlando, Fla., revealed the diversity in advanced textiles markets and applications and tackled big questions that need answers to move markets into the future that many envision. As much as it appears that exciting new fun…
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How collaborative projects may change the future of textiles

December 1, 2023  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

The North Carolina Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (NC DMCSP) serves and supports textile manufacturers on the edge of discoveries that produce innovation in advanced textiles, wearables and technologies that maximize soldier survivability, sustainability, mobility, combat effectiven…
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Renewed strength in domestic manufacturing

November 1, 2023  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

Since the pandemic, the world economy has been full of anomalies. With a strong labor market, one normally expects higher demand in daily nonessentials such as clothing, home textiles and home accessories; the financial reports of major retailers, such as Walmart Inc. and Canadian retailer Loblaw Co…
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Auxetic knits provide protective, durable solider uniforms

October 1, 2023  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

We wear textiles for protection from the elements—walking in the rain, shielding ourselves from the sun, or even removing dinner from the oven. It’s interesting to consider what goes into making these everyday textiles, but it’s also interesting to consider how they are made. What are the step…
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Sneaker brands embrace sustainable footwear

August 31, 2023  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

When Nike launched its Flyknit trainer in 2012, it kickstarted a new era in sustainable footwear. The one-piece uppers, knit on a flat machine, created 60% less waste than traditional construction. The transition to recycled polyester (rPET) yarns in 2016 added to the brand’s sustainability cred.
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Getting new products manufactured and into the marketplace

August 1, 2023  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

This year’s Smart Fabric Summit was again organized by the Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) and the Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University (NC State) in Raleigh, N.C., and took place in April on the NC State campus. A full schedule of education, student project presentation…
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