Trends in technical textiles
February 1st, 2010
Global technical textile leaders converge to discuss the industry’s future and some recent innovations. By Adrian Wilson How to Enter Technical Textiles Markets,” a conference held in Edinburgh, Scotland, in October 2009, was the fifth in a series arranged by International Newsletters Ltd., publisher of Technical Textiles International and technical-textiles.net. Presenters from around the globe […]
2010 State of the industry
February 1st, 2010
A reset economy changes the business of specialty fabrics in the U.S. Like the U.S. automobile market, the depressed economy has reset the size, shape and growth of the specialty fabrics industry from top to bottom, throughout all market segments. As a result, there are fewer significant suppliers and end product manufacturers, and the ones […]
A global look at nanomaterials
February 1st, 2010
Research and regulations on the environmental and safety issues of nanomaterials: a global approach. By Janice Kleinschmidt Nanotechnology data is growing exponentially as universities and industries around the world research and develop products with specific performance attributes (liquid, dirt and odor repellence, antimicrobial properties and insulating capabilities) by manipulating substances at the one-billionth-of-a-meter scale. But […]
World’s biggest boat wrap debuted
February 1st, 2010
Clay Gaillard, public relations manager for Cummins MerCruiser Diesel, wondered how to attract attention at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show to the QuadZeus, a 60-foot convertible power sportfishing boat. He approached marine artist Steve Goione and, later, Image Monster, a Wilmington, Del., large format printer, who came together to install the world’s biggest boat […]
Geodesic projection dome showcased
February 1st, 2010
Visitors to Paris’s Grand Palais for the October 2009 premier of “From Byzantine to Istanbul” stepped inside famous Ottoman Empire mosques and churches to view the art within the domes. This feat was made possible by Zendome GmbH, Berlin, Germany, and its new geodesic projection cupola, a dome with an immersive media screen that provides […]
Used marine apparel gets recycled
February 1st, 2010
Teijin Fibers Ltd., Osaka, Japan, now employs its closed-loop polyester fiber recycling system, ECO CIRCLE™, to convert worn marine clothing to new marine apparel. Teijin’s ECO STORM®, a waterproof and breathable fabric made from recycled fibers and a durable thin polyester film, will be incorporated into 2010 Blue Eco sailing wear produced by Henri Lloyd, […]
Concealable solar cells offer new power possibilites
February 1st, 2010
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga., have developed a new type of photovoltaic system that would allow solar collectors to be embedded in walls or located anywhere, hidden from view. Using zinc oxide nanostructures grown on optical fibers and coated with dye-sensitized solar cell material, researchers created “truly a three-dimensional solar cell,” […]
Tensioned fabric structure brings performance and sculpture together
February 1st, 2010
It was a stretch, but architect Ali Heshmati, LEAD Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., and light architect Dr. Lars Meess-Olsohn pulled together an installation at the GLOW 2008 International Forum of Light in Art and Architecture that enticed 150,000 participants to walk through their “Dar Luz” performance piece in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Visitors walked on a 22-meter […]
Camper offers luxury on the road
February 1st, 2010
Award-winning designer Axel Enthoven’s new mobile holiday home looks like a pop-up camper when compressed and traveling sedately behind a car, but when deployed it becomes a luxury hotel suite with a teak veranda, two adjustable beds, hot and cold water, ceramic toilet and sink, espresso bar, working kitchen and outdoor barbecue grill. Christened the […]
Shades reduce office window glare
February 1st, 2010
Employees the world over squabble and scheme to get offices with windows, so modern office architecture lets the sunshine in with floor-to-ceiling glass—and sometimes wall-to-wall glare. Architects Scott Tallon Walker faced the additional challenge of reflected glare from the water on an office structure at Lapps Quay, Cork City, Ireland. They selected outdoor shade structures […]