Quality components = quality end products

July 1, 2014  |  Advanced Textiles, Features

Hardware and fittings suppliers continually pursue improvements in their products to meet changing needs and increasing demands in the specialty fabrics industry. Lighter, stronger, more versatile and easier to install. End product manufacturers (EPMs) want these qualities in the hardware, findings …
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DSM Dyneema addresses trends in armor protection for helicopters and boats

June 25, 2014  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

Advanced armor forecasted to play key role in solving challenges for military, law enforcement and security vehicles. Emerging global trends are impacting the operating environment of light tactical interdiction vehicles for military, law enforcement and homeland security operations, particularly he…
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New frontiers

May 1, 2014  |  Advanced Textiles, Business

Improvements in radiation protective textiles for earth and beyond. With close to $1.46 billion in investments since 2008, the commercial space industry is blasting ahead at speeds close to their supersonic vehicles. Key players include former Paypal co-founder Elon Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, …
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Tent safety in severe weather

April 1, 2014  |  Advanced Textiles, Business

Storm safety and evacuation is a matter of planning, preparation and communication. Weather is a way of life in the tent rental and event industry. We are the “rain or shine” people. Tent and structure professionals deliver a finished product when most other people have decided it’s too hot, c…
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“Smelling” danger

April 1, 2014  |  Advanced Textiles

E-nose sensors could make textile substrates into wearable warning systems. When we think “wearable technology” we may think of photovoltaic materials powering small electronic devices, or sensors relating vital signs to health care providers. About a year ago, U.K.-based Peratech announced its …
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Rest easy: clean, soft pillow protections

April 1, 2014  |  Advanced Textiles

Sleepers everywhere demand their favorite pillows for everyday use, often bringing the perfect personalized pillow along on camping trips, airplane travel and hotel stays to ensure a good night’s rest. However, when hygiene is the most important consideration in a pillow, comfort can get kicke…
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The healing textiles

March 1, 2014  |  Advanced Textiles, Features

Advancements in fiber development result in new and better applications for biomedical textiles. Biomedical textiles are one of the fastest growing segments in the textile industry, according to Dr. Martin King, professor of textiles at North Carolina State University (NCSU), and an expert in biotex…
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Military e-textiles

March 1, 2014  |  Advanced Textiles, Projects

Creating textiles that harvest energy lighten the warfighter’s load. “Lightweight, wearable power is very desirable since it will replace some batteries, which add weight to the Soldier’s load,” says Dr. Eugene Wilusz, senior nuclear, biological, chemical scientist in the Warfighter Dire…
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Textile finishes fight viruses and bacteria

March 1, 2014  |  Advanced Textiles, Industry News

The “cure for the common cold”—as well as other viral and bacterial infections that cause bronchitis and diarrhea—is prevention through good hand washing, covering aerosols produced during sneezes and keeping surfaces clean. The Hohenstein Institute, Bönnnigheim, Germany, has demonstrated t…
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Smart—and comfortable—clothes

February 1, 2014  |  Advanced Textiles, Business, Features

Wearable technology requires pairing reliable functionality with a comfortable garment. What if a person’s heart rate, respiration and body mechanics could be monitored during various activities without being observed in person or via video feeds? What if that data could be collected and evaluated…
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