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Local importance
January 1st, 2014
Many decisions impacting the industry are made at the state and municipal level. By Andrew Aho Lobbyists are often associated with Washington, D.C. And for good reason, as sometimes they are in the news and there are a lot of them. There are more than 14,000 registered lobbyists in Washington, D.C. In addition, tens of […]
Let’s play Charades
January 1st, 2014
A lightweight, airy and colorful group of furniture pieces called “Charade” is the end result of research by Gomar, a French designer based in The Netherlands, about nomadism within a restricted environment. Using regular metal tubes for their structures, combined with sailcloth and kite textiles, the two lamps, a table and a stool create a […]
Stay warm, keep cool
January 1st, 2014
Novel temperature-regulating, bi-component fibers in garments can maintain the balance between heat loss and heat generated. By Bengt Hagström Thermal comfort is dependent upon both environmental and individual factors and is influenced by the core and skin temperatures of the body. The thermo-neutral zone for naked resting subjects has been defined to lie between 28–30°C. […]
Façade wrap suits to a ‘T’
January 1st, 2014
As a purveyor of high-end travel goods, Duty Free Shoppers (DFS) Group Ltd. of Hong Kong kept its revised branding strategy for a worldwide network of shopping centers under wraps—literally. The DFS shopping center in Honolulu, Hawaii, cloaked its new identity beneath an 8,752-square-foot temporary building façade that built anticipation for the gala brand unveiling […]
Sew, stop, drop and rock-and-roll
January 1st, 2014
The music builds as Jay-Z, Mötley Crüe, Alice in Chains or OneRepublic open a concert with the backlit band playing behind a Kabuki drape—which suddenly drops to reveal the band in sharp detail. “The Kabuki effect is great,” says Zito, production manager for OneRepublic. “The band’s first song is behind the drape, all backlit; it’s […]
A shade ensemble: privacy with a view
January 1st, 2014
A street-level condominium courtyard lacked the privacy for dining, swimming and relaxation, and the owner (who used the condo for high-end holiday rental) looked to Shades (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Phuket, Thailand, to transform a fishbowl into an oasis. The maker of shades and free-standing fabric structures designed four products—shade sail, privacy screen, roller blind and […]
Powered retractable roofs for boats
January 1st, 2014
Boat builders and buyers want convenience on a vessel in which both invest time and money, and automated power roofs are becoming a must-have. Taylor Made Systems, Gloversville, N.Y. and its partner company, Ameritex Fabric Systems, Bradenton, Fla., have the boating industry covered, literally, with a new range of glass and canvas power sunroof systems […]
Protective coating tested with live chemical agents
January 1st, 2014
Alexium International Group, Cottesloe, Western Australia, developed its Cleanshell CB repellency treatment to apply to fabric used for chemical and biological protective wear. Working with the U.S. Air Force, Alexium has been testing the fabric treatment with simulated chemical warfare agents (CWAs). The results show dramatically increased repellency of treated fabrics to simulants such as […]
GreenSource: Sustainable water quality
January 1st, 2014
Local officials and the South African Water Research Commission worry about water quality and quantity in the northwest province of South Africa. Severe drought and groundwater pollution from mining, industrial activity and agricultural irrigation raise serious concerns about drinking water supplies. A group of companies plans to install 20 sustainable drinking water systems, called GreenSource, […]
New heat-resistant fiber from Teijin
January 1st, 2014
A new meta-aramid fiber offering a high level of heat resistance combined with excellent dyeability will be manufactured by Teijin Limited, Tokyo, Japan, at a new facility to be built in Ayutthaya Province, Thailand. The fiber will strengthen the company’s profile in the protective apparel market, where demand for high-performance materials is increasing. Teijin will […]