Cooling vest for firefighters

January 1, 2018  |  Projects

Heat exhaustion, cramps and heat stroke are very real dangers to firefighters. Not only are they in a hot environment, but often protective gear traps heat and inhibits the body’s natural ability to cool itself through sweat and moisture evaporation from the skin. Teijin Limited, Tokyo, Japan, has…
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Geofoam solves construction challenges

January 1, 2018  |  Geosynthetics, Markets, Projects

High atop Hidden Peak, lightweight geofoam solves construction challenges the easy way. All projects have challenges, purpose and meaning, yet some projects mean a lot more to owners than others. It takes a visionary to leave a legacy, and Richard Bass, founder of Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort in U…
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Seismic-reinforced concrete

January 1, 2018  |  Projects

What material could help buildings stand up to earthquakes? Fiber, of course. Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed concrete reinforced with fiber that can withstand earthquake simulation tests. The material, called eco-friendly ductile cementitious composite (EDCC), is en…
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Traft: it’s a tent, it’s a raft

January 1, 2018  |  Projects

Outdoor adventurers appreciate keeping things light by traveling only with necessary equipment. Gear that does double duty is particularly useful. That’s where Traft™ comes in. It’s a tent—and it’s a raft. Take it whitewater rafting, then set it up (on land) for a good night’s sleep. Tra…
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Exosuit normalizes walking for stroke patients

December 1, 2017  |  Projects

About 80 percent of people who suffer a stroke lose functionality in a limb—a clinical phenomenon called hemiparesis. Even if those patients return to walking, normal gait can be affected. Researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, the Harvard John A. Paulson School o…
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Outerwear that grows with children

December 1, 2017  |  Projects

It’s a common dilemma when buying clothes for young children—do you get the size they are now, knowing they’ll grow out of them soon? Or get a size or two bigger, figuring they’ll grow into them and last longer? That was the inspiration for London-based Petit Pli, a line of children’s clot…
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Powering fabrics to keep soldiers warm

December 1, 2017  |  Projects

Soldiers stationed in the arctic know that it’s a challenge to stay warm while executing their duties in the frigid weather. Protective clothing is often bulky and makes it difficult to maneuver, and wearers often become overheated and sweaty. A group of scientists at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier …
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Recycled materials for inflatable travel bags

December 1, 2017  |  Projects

The Swiss company Freitag has made a name for itself creating multifunctional bags out of old truck tarpaulins, discarded bicycle inner tubes and car seat belts. Recently, the company expanded its offerings to include an inflatable travel bag that stands out from anything else at baggage claim. Zipp…
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Tapestry depicts “Game of Thrones”

December 1, 2017  |  Projects

It looks like a textile dating back centuries. But upon a closer look, a detailed tapestry tells the tale of “Game of Thrones®,” one of the most popular television shows of all time. The tapestry was designed as part of a Tourism Ireland campaign, created in partnership with HBO, and launched d…
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Tundra Tape for de-icing

December 1, 2017  |  Projects

Keeping sidewalks, roadways, parking lots and other surfaces free of ice and snow is a laborious and expensive process. When the choice is salt and chemicals, it also comes with environmental impacts. Enter Tundra Tape, a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative developed by Joey Yang, a professor o…
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