Textile-based bio materials mend bodies

July 30, 2018  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

Textile-based biomaterials, or biotextiles, have the longest history in the field of biomaterials. In ancient China and Egypt as far back as 2000 B.C., natural fibers such as linen, silk, bark, horsehair and dried guts were used as suture materials for wound closure. The introduction of steel wire a…
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Future architecture: Nicholas Goldsmith and the journey from mass to membrane

July 1, 2018  |  Markets

Nicholas “Nic” Goldsmith, FAIA, has been a major player for more than 40 years in the development of fabric architecture in North America and around the globe through his leadership of the innovative architectural/engineering firm FTL Design Engineering Studio, based in New York City. I’ve kno…
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New technologies make textiles interactive and smarter

July 1, 2018  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

Textiles are well established as passive materials offering comfort and protection, as well as design and fashion choices. With strong interest in promoting textile manufacturing and enhancing the utility and performance of textiles, academia and government researchers have initiated efforts to enab…
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How to use the H-2B program to hire legal temporary guest workers

June 1, 2018  |  Markets

For tent and event rental companies, the busy season not only brings the promise of more work, it also ups the need for more workers, a worry for businesses facing potential labor shortages. In response, some U.S. businesses turn to the H-2B program, hoping to fill their seasonal needs by employing …
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Redefining textiles

June 1, 2018  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

New materials and manufacturing processes give the word “textile” new meaning. Textile technology is undergoing a revolution, with innovative structures, raw materials and manufacturing platforms creating new fabrics that defy old-school definitions. Introductory textile science classes teach th…
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Zipper tricks: tips and techniques

May 1, 2018  |  Markets

Providing an excellent end product is paramount to marine fabricators, and zippers play a vital role in the long-term functionality of everything from covers to cushions. But zippers can be tricky. Choosing the right one can be confusing, and working with zippers in difficult situations takes both e…
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Developing NASA’s next-generation spacesuit

May 1, 2018  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

Human space exploration is one of the most ambitious and exciting endeavors upon which we’ve ever embarked, and it has always been an integral part of the U.S. space program. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) sent our first astronaut, Alan Shepard, on a suborbital flight in …
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Academia and business forge new alliances

April 1, 2018  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

From small startups to global companies, academia and business forge alliances. Early in 2018, Greensboro, N.C.-based VF Corp. and North Carolina State University (NC State) announced a strategic, multi-year partnership to “support student development at NC State and advance apparel and textiles i…
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Space, stability and technical expertise enhance the new Tennessee Titans facility

April 1, 2018  |  Markets

The Tennessee Titans debuted a new practice facility in the summer of 2016, replacing their former air structure with one much brighter, bigger and sturdier. After more than 17 years of use, the original facility, located at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., was showing signs of deterior…
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IPC committee seeks comments on e-textiles industry standard

March 1, 2018  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

In July 2017, IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries) hosted the first web meeting of the IPC E-Textiles Materials Subcommittee. Formed by volunteers from the e-textiles community, the group had approached IPC with interest in developing industry standards for e-textiles. IPC was chosen …
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