Ionic skin could improve prosthetic devices

July 1, 2022  |  Swatches

Researchers have worked to build a smart skin that can mimic the sensing capabilities of natural skin, but until now, this has been elusive. A team of scientists at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have had success with ionic skins made of flexible, biocompatible hydrogels that use ions to c…
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Modular sneakers are renewable

July 1, 2022  |  Swatches

Portuguese industrial designer Diogo Pimenta has launched a three-part modular sneaker called LAYERS, designed to support the circular economy. Its consumption model is based on two complementary loops that are similar to biological cycles in nature: an increased product life with customization, and…
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Spun yarn adds stretch

July 1, 2022  |  Swatches

DuPont has announced that JP Modatex India and DuPont Biomaterials are launching a new spun yarn collection made with a blend of natural fibers and DuPont™ Sorona® staple fibers. The collection brings together linen and partially plant-based Sorona® fibers to create spun yarns for apparel with s…
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Insulating material inspired by squid skin

July 1, 2022  |  Swatches

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) have invented a new insulation material inspired by cephalopod (squid) skin. The innovation is an infrared-reflecting metallized polymer film developed in the laboratory of Alon Gorodetsky, UCI associate professor. The composite material regu…
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Nanotechnology textile research

June 1, 2022  |  Swatches

The future is now. At least when it comes to textiles that incorporate nanotechnology. Researchers at the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, are exploring ways to marry nanomaterials to textiles. ”We are very excited, because it is our …
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Students train for color management

June 1, 2022  |  Swatches

Archroma, a maker of specialty chemicals for sustainable solutions, has begun a collaboration with the Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies (CARS) department at the University of North Carolina Greensboro aiming to further the education of its students in the area of color management expertise.
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Artistic Miliners expands factory

June 1, 2022  |  Swatches

Artistic Milliners is expanding its presence in Pakistan with a new $60 million state-of-the-art facility that follows through on its values. At full capacity, the 500,000-square-foot facility will employ 3,500 workers—70 percent of which will be women—and boost production capacity by 30 percent…
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Karen Nyberg creates fabric designs from space images

June 1, 2022  |  Swatches

Recently retired NASA astronaut and artist Karen Nyberg has launched a new fabric line called “Earth Views” in collaboration with the Calif.-based Robert Kaufman Fabrics.
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Students test PPE to find the best

June 1, 2022  |  Swatches

Students in the University of Kentucky Textile Testing Laboratory are helping develop durable, reusable personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers. The lab, part of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, specializes in testing fabrics and materials for the textile industr…
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LED fabric provides both shade and light

June 1, 2022  |  Swatches

The Israeli city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa is piloting a new street fabric that provides both daytime shade and light at night without the need for electricity.
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