December 1, 2020
3D printed textiles can be viable in the industry. by Kony Chatterjee and Tushar K. Ghosh The advent of 3D printing (3DP) has drawn considerable interest from academia, industry and amateur hobbyists as a novel method of producing objects layer-by-layer (LbL) via a bottom-up manufacturing approach. This method of “additive” manufacturing (used interchangeably with the …
November 1, 2020
3D-printed flexible mesh Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have designed pliable 3D-printed mesh materials with the flexibility and toughness to be tuned to emulate and support softer tissues such as muscles and tendons. With the ability to tailor the intricate structures in each mesh, the researchers anticipate that the tough, yet stretchy fabric-like …
by Debra Cobb From community masks and health workers’ kits, to hospital gowns, drapes and wraps, disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) is playing a critical role in the battle against COVID-19 infections. But now there is a mountain of disposable PPE that’s creating a whole new set of problems. Used masks and gloves are littering …
October 1, 2020
Smart objects support the benefits of play London, U.K.-based smart textile designer Michelle Rinow has unveiled her Transforming Touch series, which was developed based on research about the benefits of sensory play for adults. Her design methodology places emphasis on human interaction, connection and engagement through color and materials. Using cotton, silk and nylon blend …
September 1, 2020
BMW unveils ByBorre-designed interactive textile interior Dutch custom textile manufacturer ByBorre developed the fabrics for BMW’s future interactive car interior presented at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nev. The concept car cabin module donned the BMW i Interaction EASE, the car company’s expression of the “mobility experience of the future” where …
by Seshadri Ramkumar On June 18, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California issued a statewide order that mandates face coverings in public places and areas where social distancing is not feasible. Although a brief description of face covers was provided in the mandate, performance specifics and standard requirements were not listed. In fact, no specifications or …
August 1, 2020
New bio yarn shows breakthrough possibilities Researchers working at the University of Bordeaux/INSERM have created yarns of human cells from sheets of cell-assembled extracellular matrix, or CAM. The findings, reported in www.materialstoday.com, are a significant achievement because the CAM can be mass-produced for clinical applications including tissue engineering. However, the process is complex and the …
by Marie O’Mahony Health and safety are proving to be key drivers of innovative new fabric structures. These can prompt new designs in existing products and devices, or even whole new products. This is possible with imagination, expertise and an openness to look for solutions outside conventional thinking. Strength can, of course, include hardness, but …
July 1, 2020
The industry meets virtually to discuss innovations,cybersecurity and collaboration. by Janet Preus The Smart Fabrics Summit, presented by the U.S. Department of Commerce in collaboration with Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), was held virtually this year. Its speakers covered a range of topics, with special emphasis on cybersecurity and collaborative partnerships. From innovation to commercial …
Robotic glove for hand paralysis San Francisco, Calif.-based technology start-up Neofect has developed a robotic glove to help patients suffering from paralysis. The product prototype, Neomano, is a smart glove designed for patient rehabilitation of the hand following a stroke, spinal cord injury or other condition that limits a patient’s ability to use his or …
