Sun-powered textiles

January 1, 2022  |  Swatches

Researchers at Aalto University in Espoo, Finland, have created The Sun-Powered Textiles project. Because textiles can be purposely woven to let sunlight pass through them, the “porous” textile is laminated to commercially available solar cells, hiding the solar cells from view. The combination …
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Stitchless, 3D, layered face mask launched

January 1, 2022  |  Swatches

Created by Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka, the AIRism 3D mask will be launched by Japanese brand UNIQLO early in 2022. The mask’s three-dimensional curved silhouette is designed to offer effective protection while resting comfortably on the face. The mask’s three layers include an inner l…
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A new class of human-powered bioelectronics

January 1, 2022  |  Swatches

A team of bioengineers at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering has invented a novel, soft and flexible self-powered bioelectronic device. The technology converts human body motions, from bending an elbow to subtle movements, such as a pulse on one’s wrist, into electricity that could be used to…
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Origami design creates a portable canoe

January 1, 2022  |  Swatches

The designers that launched MyCanoe nearly five years ago have been through several iterations of their packable canoe. The company’s most recent product is a lightweight, durable, foldable canoe, inspired by origami, that packs in a portable case, assembles in less than five minutes and fits in t…
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Artificial industrial-use spider silk developed

January 1, 2022  |  Swatches

Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) announced that they have developed spider silk that can be produced in large volumes without strong chemicals. This would make it possible to scale up this strong fiber for industrial and medical appli…
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PrimaLoft® manufacturing platform reduces carbon emissions

January 1, 2022  |  Swatches

PrimaLoft Inc., developer of high-performance insulations and fabrics, has announced enhancements to its PrimaLoft® P.U.R.E.™ manufacturing platform. P.U.R.E. (Produced Using Reduced Emissions), a proprietary, renewable manufacturing technology, now achieves up to 70 percent reduction in carbon e…
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Upholstered pods offer spot for creative immersion

December 1, 2021  |  Swatches

With commissioned work coming to a halt last year because of the pandemic, artist Liam Hopkins set out to design his own project—a venue that would inspire and evolve. The result is Lazerian Space, a combination art gallery and cafe on King Street in Manchester, England. 
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Composite fabric protects against biological, chemical threats

December 1, 2021  |  Swatches

A research group at Northwestern University has created a versatile composite fabric that has the potential to deactivate both biological threats, such as novel coronaviruses, and chemical threats, like those used in chemical warfare.
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Growing textiles from algae

December 1, 2021  |  Swatches

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe recently announced that the global fashion industry accounts for as much as 10 percent of global carbon emissions and creates pollution and waste. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency says that only about 15 percent of textiles are recycl…
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HeiQ creates sustainable nylon substitute

December 1, 2021  |  Swatches

The Swiss-based HeiQ textile company has introduced a high-performance cellulose yarn based on a new fiber derived from carbon negative materials.
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