Fresh and clean

January 1, 2014  |  Advanced Textiles

Fabric diffusers give commercial kitchens an air makeover. Restaurants and other commercial food service operations face a common challenge: adequately ventilating cooking areas that can create a lot of grease, heat and smoke. Four-way metal diffusers typically used in commercial kitchens produce hi…
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A plug-in pavilion, with a twist

December 1, 2013  |  Advanced Textiles, Projects

Volvo Car Italia sought a mind-bending way to display the new Volvo V60 Hybrid Electric Diesel at its Rome launch event in September 2013. The company held a design competition, “Switch to Pure Volvo,” and the winner was a collaborative effort from Synthesis Design + Architecture, Los An…
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All the energy fit to print…

December 1, 2013  |  Advanced Textiles, Projects

Trials began in September by the Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium (VICOSC) in Australia to develop flexible, large area, cost-effective printable plastic solar cells. The trial aims to speed manufacturing of organic solar cells “printed” onto polymer in much the same way as money …
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Creating the future of textiles: make it from milk

December 1, 2013  |  Advanced Textiles, Business

Qmilch IP GmbH makes a silky smooth, all-natural fabric from milk that’s highly desirable for high fashion, but well suited for more industrial applications, too. A lot of milk in the world is simply thrown away as unsuitable—for food, that is. German-based company Qmilch IP GmbH has found a use…
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Creating the future of textiles: wear and forget

November 1, 2013  |  Advanced Textiles, Business

New smart textile products will need to collect and quantify information for the user—and offer comfort and durability at a competitive price. What are the most exciting or intriguing developments in the industry in advanced textiles? Although advanced textiles are expanding in many directions, th…
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Protecting the protectors with military patents

October 1, 2013  |  Advanced Textiles

Essential information on patents for military uniforms. By John Morrissett and Troy Grabow Recent innovations in the fabric world increasingly protect our men and women in uniform. Many of these innovations are patented by fabric manufacturers, because the public is generally aware that it is possib…
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Marching orders for military textiles

October 1, 2013  |  Advanced Textiles, Features, Markets

Technological developments lead to uniforms and gear that perform double duty: protect the soldier while withstanding harsh environments. By Holly O’Dell When David Accetta entered Army basic training in 1983, the U.S. was still in the throes of the Cold War. Soldiers’ uniforms featured …
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Small & mighty nanotechnology market

October 1, 2013  |  Advanced Textiles, Business, Features, Markets

From the fiber level to surface coatings, new developments in nanotechnology impact many specialty fabrics markets. By Sigrid Tornquist Ways of manufacturing specialty fabrics have been around for decades, but what does that mean in terms of opportunities for manufacturers, particularly in regard to…
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Creating the future of textiles: Auxetics advances

October 1, 2013  |  Advanced Textiles, Business

An interview with Advanced Fabric Technologies president David O’Keefe reveals the latest developments in the company’s auxetic technology. by Janet Preus An engineering and design company, Advanced Fabric Technologies focuses on developing material solutions for military and commercial …
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Indoor sportswear market grows

October 1, 2013  |  Advanced Textiles, Industry News, Markets

Global demand for indoor sportswear and fitness apparel will grow rapidly, despite constrained consumer spending, according to Issue No. 45 of Performance Apparel Markets, produced by business information company Textiles Intelligence. Factors spurring the growth of fitness gear are public awareness…
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