Customized, portable cleanrooms

June 1, 2019  |  Swatches

In certain manufacturing situations, the strictest level of cleanliness is necessary. During production, automation components, tools, microchips, space probes or medical devices can be affected by even the slightest contamination. Companies often employ cleanroom environments during the manufacturi…
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Underwater shade at Penn State

May 1, 2019  |  Swatches

When you think about outdoor spaces for people to congregate, a water tower is probably not on the list. But on the campus of Penn State University, State College, Pa., a new water tower located next to the Palmer Museum of Art and the Stuckeman School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture was …
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Building a better umbrella

May 1, 2019  |  Swatches

Umbrellas come in different shapes and sizes, but often the chief problem is that they don’t hold up to wind. Consider estimates that more than one billion umbrellas are broken every year: That’s enough polyester waste to cover New York City. Enter Hedgehog Carbon, an umbrella that is wind-teste…
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A coral reef, upcycled

May 1, 2019  |  Swatches

Textile artist Vanessa Barragão grew up in the seaside town of Albufeira, Portugal. s a designer she expresses her love of the ocean in the stunning art installation, Coral Garden.  Barragão is concerned with the polluting effects of the textile industry on the environment—particularly on delic…
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Beanie hardens into a safety helmet

May 1, 2019  |  Swatches

One of the quickest ways to get hurt downhill skiing is to skip the helmet. In fact, 88 percent of all snow sport-related deaths are due to head injuries, yet many people just won’t wear a helmet on the slopes. Australian bioengineer Rob Joseph learned this lesson the hard way. Frustrated with his…
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Retractable canopies keep concert-goers protected

May 1, 2019  |  Swatches

Located in a forest setting between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Md., the Merriweather Post Pavilion is an historic outdoor music venue. Designed by architects Frank Gehry and N. David O’Malley, the venue opened in 1967 and has hosted the greats in rock, country, blues, jazz, hip hop and class…
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Innovative and sustainable: GERES Zero Gravity down jacket

May 1, 2019  |  Swatches

Berg Outdoor, the Portugal-based clothing and gear brand, creates outerwear with five goals in mind: it must be lightweight, versatile, innovative, functional and sustainable. The ultralight GERES Zero Gravity down jacket ticks off all of those boxes. Berg looked to Porcher Sport, the French maker o…
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Watershed Dry Bags for airtight protection

May 1, 2019  |  Swatches

The folks at Watershed® like to say they are obsessed with water. CEO Eric Revels began his career as a whitewater raft guide in the U.S. and South America while he pursued his dream to be a whitewater slalom canoe racer. Throughout his adventures, he grew tired of dealing with damp gear stored in …
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Knitted textile supports thin concrete structure

April 23, 2019  |  Swatches

A striking, double-curved pavilion recently on exhibit at the Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo in Mexico City showcased an experiment with the materials and processes used in construction. The installation was framed using a knit textile that supports its thin concrete structure. Dubbed Knit…
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