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Researchers search for mosquito proof fabric
May 1st, 2022
John Beckmann, Auburn University assistant professor of entomology and plant pathology, examines mosquitoes as part of his research on material to block mosquito bites. Researchers at Auburn University’s College of Agriculture, hope to confound one of the summer’s most annoying pests by developing a lightweight fabric that blocks mosquito bites while also being cool enough […]
Ukrainian flags in demand
May 1st, 2022
Ukrainian flags have been in high demand around the U.S. since February, as people show their support for the embattled country. Photo: Creative Commons Orders for the fabric for Ukrainian flags have skyrocketed since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine in late February, and flag makers are struggling to keep up with demand. That’s good news for […]
London opens co-working space for textile workers
May 1st, 2022
A textile freelancer works on a project at the Tottex facility. Photo: Tottex After years of working in the fashion textile industry, Luis Lopez-Smith realized London needed a space where creatives could make technical garments with the necessary machinery and know-how. That space is called Tottex, a coworking facility for textile workers. At Tottex, freelancers […]
Natural leather and plastic alternative
May 1st, 2022
Grown in only nine days, Forager pure mycelium hides have naturally high tensile strength, tear resistance, and durability equal to animal leathers. Photo: Ecovative Ecovative, the mycelium technology company, has teamed with Vivobarefoot, makers of sustainable footwear, and PANGAIA, a materials science innovator. The trio will join the Fashion for Good Cooperative to co-develop custom […]
Second chance for offenders
May 1st, 2022
STI HR manager Sandra Jenkins stands in a storeroom of the company’s fabrics. Photo: Dustin George, courtesy of The Shelby Star When Kings Mountain, N.C.-based textile maker STI introduced its own brand of fabrics to the market, the business saw a boom in demand. Since 2019, this growth has led to more than doubling its […]
Villanova gets new apparel
May 1st, 2022
Villanova’s famous Wildcat Mascot seems excited about the school’s new arrangement with Hanes. Photo: Villanova Hanesbrands, which includes Champion, Hanes and Alternative Apparel, will design and manufacture Villanova University apparel and expand its retail footprint in Philadelphia, Penn., where the school is located, as well as nationally. Villanova will also continue its partnership with Nike […]
Bipartisan effort to support defense textile manufacturers
May 1st, 2022
Military textile manufacturers are seeking relief in the face of double-digit cost increases.Photo: Creative Commons The Department of Defense (DOD) procures nearly $2 billion worth of military textiles, helmets, armor, footwear and clothing annually, through the purchase of more than 8,000 items. But many companies are now operating on Firm Fixed Price contracts that were […]
Gentle robotic device
May 1st, 2022
Kirigami grippers are gentle and precise enough to grasp an egg yolk or a human hair. Photo: North Carolina State University A new robotic gripper has found a completely new solution for gripping previously impossible objects. It uses the ancient Japanese art form of kirigami. Related to the paper-folding art of origami, kirigami involves making a […]
Used balloons become shoe soles
May 1st, 2022
Undo for Tomorrow, a Lisbon, Portugal-based shoe brand, has released the “Nuven” shoe that the company says is completely vegan and made with all recycled and natural materials. Of particular interest are the colorful soles, made from discarded party balloons and tire leftovers. The shoe lining is 100 percent bamboo, which also serves as an […]
Researcher develop seaweed “polyester”
May 1st, 2022
Sydney-headquartered surf wear company Piping Hot has commissioned a research team led by Professor Peter Ralph from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to develop a biomaterial prototype derived from seaweed. The company says that it hopes the research will have a transformative impact on the polyester industry, to help fashion and textile firms reduce […]