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Heathcoat Fabrics delivers a soft landing on Mars
May 1st, 2021
The supersonic parachute that landed NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars in February undergoes testing in a wind tunnel at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Ames. When the Perseverance rover successfully landed on Mars on Feb. 18, NASA engineers and space enthusiasts around the world celebrated—along with the fabric engineers and production […]
Stryv medical gowns are FDA-approved
May 1st, 2021
Berry-compliant Level 2 FDA-approved gowns from Stryv Medical offer protection to health care workers in low-risk situations, such as labs. Photo: Stryv Medical. Stryv Medical, maker of innovative and stylish healthcare work apparel based in St. Cloud, Minn., has advanced to produce Level 2 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medical gowns. The gowns support […]
Fashion for Good launches cotton farming pilot project
May 1st, 2021
A hydroponic cotton facility. Materra’s approach to cotton farming combines precision agriculture and controlled environments to create radically resource-efficient cotton farms. Photo: Materra. Cotton makes up nearly 30 percent of global textile production, and accounts for 24 percent of global insecticide use, according to Fashion for Good, a global initiative to spark and scale innovation […]
Textiles dominate Canadian grants to solve the problem of plastic waste
May 1st, 2021
Plastic litter pollutes rivers, lakes and oceans, harming wildlife and generating macro and microplastics (pictured). The Canadian Plastics Innovations Challenges target plastics sectors that generate large quantities of plastic waste and show the greatest opportunity for innovation. Photo: © David Pereiras Villagra, Dreamstime.com. Through the Innovative Solutions Canada program, four Canadian companies have been awarded […]
Mobile ad hoc network-enabled stratospheric balloons could support rapid response
May 1st, 2021
A constellation of stratospheric balloons, airborne and ground-based networking devices and tracking antenna has applications for the recovery of downed pilots and operations in GPS-denied environments, according to Adrien Robenhymer, vice president of business development for Air Force and Intelligence Community at Persistent Systems LLC. Photo: Raven Aerostar. Persistent Systems LLC of New York City, […]
Devan launches range of bio-based fragrances for textiles
May 1st, 2021
Devan’s new bio-based fragrances for textiles include natural lavender, menthol, wild mint and a citrus blend. Photo: Devan. Fabric appeals to the human senses of touch and sight. Now, Belgium-based textile innovator Devan is working toward appealing to the sense of smell. The company has launched a new range of bio-based fragrances named SceNTL® that […]
Designer creates a decomposing dress from algae
May 1st, 2021
Scarlett Yang’s biomaterials dress is modeled by Matryoshka Wadhwani. Photo provided by Scarlett Yang. London-based designer Scarlett Yang has created a means to use algae extract and silk cocoon protein to create a glass-like dress that grows over time and can decompose in water within 24 hours. The biomaterial dress changes shape in response to […]
Sustainable shoes to be made from ‘Plant Leather’
May 1st, 2021
Sustainable footwear brand Allbirds Inc. has invested $2 million in the startup Natural Fiber Welding (NFW) with plans to use its plant-based leather in Allbirds shoe. Ecotextile News reports that NFW has created a special version of its Mirum leather alternative called Plant Leather, which has been fine-tuned for the footwear company. Plant Leather is […]
Cinnamon is the secret in a new odor-controlling fabric
May 1st, 2021
Novoleap Co. Ltd. (Koup) has developed a shirt using fabric made from recycled plastic bottles infused with cinnamon extract, which the company says is an antimicrobial that can prevent odor-causing bacteria. Cinnamon has a natural compound, cinnamaldehyde, that provides the antimicrobial properties. “My background in textiles prompted me to search for eco-friendly textile technologies that […]
Biomedical engineers develop ‘smart’ senor bandages
May 1st, 2021
Smart bandages being scanned by Olajide Adetunji, a Ph.D. student in chemistry. The bandages are a part of Dr. Chang-Soo Kim’s electrical engineering research project. Photo: Michael Pierce, Missouri S&T. During the pandemic, many people have turned to virtual doctor appointments as a safer alternative to in-person visits. Researchers at Missouri University of Science and […]