Parking structure punctuates Miami skyline

September 1, 2021  |  Swatches

Big Span Structures LLC, a provider of concept-to-completion solutions for signature lightweight tensile membrane structures, has completed a new tensile membrane shading structure on the top deck of the parking garage of the Care Resource Community Health Centers facility in Midtown Miami, Fla. 
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Barco hits sustainability milestone

September 1, 2021  |  Swatches

With record sales of its scrubs during the pandemic, health-care apparel brand Barco® has reached a sustainability milestone of 40 million plastic bottles recycled, marking a 115 percent year-over-year increase. 
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New sustainable leather process

September 1, 2021  |  Swatches

Two Pennsylvania scientists have developed a proprietary process that turns discarded leather scraps into a new leather product they call Enspire Leather (the “E” is for “environmental”). Tom Tymon and Frank Fox, founders of Sustainable Composites LLC of Lancaster, Pa., have worked for more …
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Natural Fiber Welding named a “Technology Pioneer”

September 1, 2021  |  Swatches

Natural Fiber Welding Inc. (NFW), Peoria, Ill., is one of 100 promising companies named 2021 Technology Pioneers by the World Economic Forum. NFW’s patented technology platforms, MIRUM® and CLARUS®, use naturally abundant resources to produce high-quality textiles without relying on plastic. Thr…
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Repurposed down offers a circular bedding solution

September 1, 2021  |  Swatches

Allied Home, a Montebello, Calif.-based manufacturer of bedding products designed for a better sleep experience, has launched RENU:700 Performance Recycled Down bedding, which the company describes as “the first of its kind on the market.”
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E-fiber just got smarter

September 1, 2021  |  Swatches

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harrisburg University and Rhode Island School of Design have created a fiber with digital capabilities that can sense, store, analyze and infer activity. The fiber contains memory, temperature sensors and a trained neural network progra…
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Artificial skin could detect injury in prosthetics

September 1, 2021  |  Swatches

Researchers have developed an artificial skin that senses force through ionic signals and changes color, like a bruise, providing a visual cue of injury. Scientists have previously developed electronic skins (e-skins) that can sense stimuli through electron transmission; however, these electrical co…
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HeiQ launches antiviral surgical mask

September 1, 2021  |  Swatches

Global materials manufacturer HeiQ has launched HeiQ MetalliQ, a surgical mask technology that destroys the viruses and bacteria tested with as much as 100 percent efficacy. The mask contains an ultrathin, pure copper coating applied via a vapor deposition process, which converts a minute amount of …
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Bio-based textile treatment made from crab shells

September 1, 2021  |  Swatches

Tidal Vision, based in Bellingham, Wash., is intent on creating a positive and systemic environmental impact by advancing chitosan chemistry solutions as a replacement for toxic synthetic chemicals. Its textile treatment Tidal-Tex™ is a natural, clean, water-based chitosan solution, ready to use f…
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Bioservo updates exoskeleton glove

September 1, 2021  |  Swatches

With work-related hand injuries on the rise in Europe and elsewhere, Swedish medtech company Bioservo Technologies AB is releasing an updated version of its exoskeleton glove, Ironhand® 2.0, offering improved activation, better grip and advanced data collection. The glove is designed to reduce the …
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