Hagfish used for fiber research

August 1, 2009  |  Industry News

There’s no better place for scientists to seek eco-friendly, high-strength materials than in nature, and researchers at the University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, reeled in the hagfish for fiber research. The hagfish (Class Myxini) is an ugly eel-like sea creature with four hearts, two…
Read More
Blanket protects lunar outposts

August 1, 2009  |  Advanced Textiles, Industry News, Projects

Textile engineering students at North Carolina State University (NCSU) have the next manned moon landing covered with a blanket that protects lunar outposts from radiation while storing energy for astronauts’ use. The project, one of 10 finalists in the Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts…
Read More
Treadmill with bungee cord harness allows exercise in space

August 1, 2009  |  Industry News, Projects

When the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) held a contest to name the Node 3 wing on the International Space Station, Comedy Central’s faux newscaster/comedian Stephen Colbert urged fans to deluge NASA with write-in votes. He won, but had to be content with a consolation pri…
Read More
Recycled fabric used to craft “tent bags”

August 1, 2009  |  Industry News, Projects, Tents

Tent and awning fabricators such as Takada Soubi Co. Ltd., Gifu, Japan, can count on leftovers—bits and scraps of mesh, cotton and polyester that pile up and increase waste disposal costs. Company president Akihiro Kondo sent eight employees with sewing expertise on a mission to recycle the fa…
Read More
Blind painter’s artwork inspires cotton fabric collection

August 1, 2009  |  Industry News, Projects

George Mendoza was a promising high-school athlete when macular degeneration, a retinal disorder that leaves blind spots and distortions in the central vision, made him legally blind. Mendoza used his disability to fuel a passion for athletics, writing and painting, becoming the subject of two PBS d…
Read More
University celebrates 80 years of textile research

August 1, 2009  |  Industry News

In 2009, the Department of Textiles at the University of Ghent, Belgium, celebrates 80 years of textile leadership with an anniversary event, the 6th International Conference on Textile and Polymer Biotechnology and Smart Textiles Salon, an exhibition of smart textile prototypes scheduled for Septem…
Read More
Kentucky racing sets standards for safety vests

August 1, 2009  |  Advanced Textiles, Industry News

Later this year, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission will require minimum standards for safety vests worn by jockeys, riders of horse or stable ponies, assistant starters and handlers at starting gates. Adoption of the new rules will expand the range of safety vests and allow jockeys to wear gear t…
Read More
Nontextile super swimsuits don’t suit FINA

August 1, 2009  |  Industry News

Smooth, impermeable swimsuits broke onto the international scene at the Beijing Olympics, worn by gold medal winner Michael Phelps in setting one record after another. In a move to eliminate this technological advantage from swimming competition, the Fédération Internationale de Natati…
Read More
Lancer Textiles to service TenCate customers

August 1, 2009  |  Geosynthetics, Industry News

TenCate™ Industrial Fabrics has appointed Lancer Textiles, Elkin Park, Pa., as master distributor of its products to customers seeking small quantities, infrequent orders or special converting, such as slitting or re-rolling. Customers unable to meet the minimum order quantity now have access …
Read More
Textile machinery investments down

August 1, 2009  |  Industry News

A survey by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) shows that textile machinery manufacturers recorded declines of between 3-66 percent in shipments in 2008. The ITMF report covers spinning, texturing, weaving, large circular knitting, flat knitting and finishing machinery. Invest…
Read More