Inflatable forest comes to life with human interaction

October 1, 2020  |  Inflatables, Markets, Swatches

The Canopy, an inflatable installation that debuted in 2019 at the Light City festival in Baltimore, Md., is designed to bring people together for a greater good. At first glance, it is a forest of tree-like sculptures that are white in the daylight and aglow with neon colors at night. That’s wher…
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Realistic bite sleeve for K9 training

October 1, 2020  |  Swatches

Army scientists have designed and developed a realistic canine bite sleeve trainer to improve the performance of military and civilian K9s, according to U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Army Research Laboratory Public Affairs.  Trainers use bite training on military working …
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Soft, supple leather alternative is made from cacti

October 1, 2020  |  Swatches

Mexican entrepreneurs Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez wanted to find a cruelty-free and sustainable alternative to leather. Velarde, who worked in the auto industry, and Cázarez, who worked in fashion, recognized the adverse environmental impacts of their industries, particularly in anima…
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Duvaltex introduces masks with 3D-knit technology

October 1, 2020  |  Swatches

Duvaltex Inc., a North American developer and producer of medical and technical textiles, is using 3D-knit technology to launch an innovative, nonmedical protective face mask. The X7 mask provides maximum comfort while minimizing the risk of contamination and transmission of viruses, according to a …
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Chiki Diki develops fashionable protective gear for fighting contagions

September 1, 2020  |  Swatches

Antimicrobial protective clothing company Chiki Diki is promoting a new line of fashionable protective gear and accessories featuring clever designs and proprietary textile treatments that inhibit the growth of microorganisms. The company’s products include antimicrobial facial masks, safety necks…
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Stryv Medical’s interns launch PPE line while learning about the textile industry

September 1, 2020  |  Swatches

Stryv Medical and its young workforce have launched a new line of medical gowns and masks to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Founded by St. John’s University professors King Mukherjee and Bob Gazich, Stryv Medical’s goal is to provide college students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to lea…
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Roland-Garros gets a retractable roof with Serge Ferrari fabric

September 1, 2020  |  Swatches

Like virtually every other major sporting event, the French Open postponed its 2020 tournament, with play now tentatively set to begin in late September. And when the world’s greatest tennis players set foot on the world’s most famous red clay, they’ll play regardless of weather, under a new r…
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Big Span Structures completes covered walkway for Jacksonville transit users

September 1, 2020  |  Swatches

An eye-catching pedestrian bridge with a tensile membrane roof is keeping Jacksonville, Fla., transit users protected from the elements. Jacksonville Transit Authority’s vision of a regional multimodal hub is coming to a reality with the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center (JRTC). Located …
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Rumpl celebrates Apollo 13 with NASA collection

September 1, 2020  |  Swatches

Rumpl, a maker of technical blankets, has launched an exclusive capsule collection of NASA products. The limited-edition line of insulated blankets and ponchos celebrates the 50th anniversary of the safe landing of the Apollo 13 lunar module.  The collectible NASA designs are available in three dif…
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An architecturally significant performance hall gets a new canopy

August 1, 2020  |  Swatches

When Hurricane Irma slammed into Florida in 2017, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota, Fla., was one of many buildings damaged. In particular, the fabric of the hall’s front canopy needed to be replaced.  The new canopy needed to protect visitors from inclement weather and complement t…
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