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Smart insole tracks wearer’s movement
August 1st, 2025
Researchers at The Ohio State University are developing a smart insole to detect gait issues in real time. Image: The Ohio State University/Meggie Biss A solar-powered smart insole system that monitors how people walk could help users improve their posture and provide early warnings for conditions from plantar fasciitis to Parkinson’s disease. Constructed using 22 small […]
Stretchy ink under development for conductive textiles
August 1st, 2025
Stretchy ink and paste formulations for smart textiles are under investigation. Above: Applying a conductive coating with a squeegee. Image: German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research A problem for conductive structures printed on smart textiles is their ability to stretch. Being conductive while staying soft and flexible is at odds. Mechanical stresses of pressure, stretching […]
Smart glove could help deafblind people
August 1st, 2025
A prototype smart glove for deafblind people supports real-time communication by turning the spoken word into haptic feedback. Image: Nottingham Trent University Smart gloves being developed by Nottingham Trent University may one day aid deafblind people to understand live conversations through the translation of the spoken word into a form of vibrating braille. Artificial intelligence […]
H&M winning textile innovations in dyes, textile recycling
August 1st, 2025
Members of three of the winning companies in the H&M Foundation 2025 Global Change Award include: LEFT: Brilliant Dyes: Mohammad Redwanur Rahman, Tabish Noori; CENTER: DecoRpet: Youbing Mu, Xiaobo Wan; RIGHT: CircularFabrics: Miguel Chacon-Teran, Josephine Mayer. Images: H&M Foundation/Anders Linden The H&M Global Change Award annually honors early-stage textile innovations trying to tackle environmental issues in […]
Materials generate power from wearer’s movement
August 1st, 2025
A new wearable technology developed by researchers at North Carolina State University can generate up to 300 volts of electricity from friction. Image: NC State University/Pedro Henrique Wink Reis Researchers at North Carolina State University (NC State) have created new wearable technologies that generate electricity from the wearer’s movement. The researchers’ work was based on […]
Invasive seaweed and seafood waste become fibers, canvas
August 1st, 2025
SeiYarn™ (above) from French artist Eugène Riconneaus is a cellulosic staple fiber similar to viscose. The Sei™ marine material, made from bio-derived polysaccharides, is also the foundation for a canvas fabric. One source is invasive seaweed. Image: ER Ocean Recherche Experiments in his workshop using invasive seaweed and seafood waste started French artist Eugène Riconneaus […]
A new strategy expanded clientele of American Awning & Blind
August 1st, 2025
Ethan Halpern of American Awning & Blind Co. Image: © 2024 Mark Skalny Photography In 2014, Ethan Halpern moved from the music classroom as a teacher to the shop floor as president and owner of American Awning & Blind Co. in North Hollywood, Calif. A family friend owned the business and offered Halpern the opportunity […]
Advancements in sustainable dyes
August 1st, 2025
In addition to its microbial coloration process, Post Carbon Lab also offers a photosynthetic coating: Simple plant microbes remain alive even when applied to a textile substrate. This could allow a final product to capture carbon—and be climate positive. Image: Paul Cochrane Plant- and insect-based colorants “have been around for thousands of years, and they’re […]
Advanced Textiles Expo 2025 Exhibitor Product Preview
August 1st, 2025
Here you’ll find a first look at the new products and value-added services waiting for you on the show floor at Advanced Textiles Expo 2025 in Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 5–7. Celebrate textile innovation at Advanced Textiles Expo, where hundreds of exhibitors will showcase their latest products throughout the entire supply chain, from fibers and fabrics […]
Best uses for AI
August 1st, 2025
Artificial intelligence touchpoints in the textile industry include order entry automation, trend-based design suggestions, production forecasting, supply chain alerts, inventory optimization and maintenance predictions. This graphic was created using ChatGPT. Image: Infopine/Todd Morgan Artificial intelligence (AI) is already reshaping the textile industry—not with flashy headlines but with practical improvements in planning, sourcing and execution. Manufacturers […]