Better together

May 1, 2017  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

Collaborative efforts support growth in the smart textiles industry. The more high tech an industry is, the greater the range of expertise it may need. Advanced textiles, particularly smart materials, are a prime example of this. Textiles often undergo a variety of processes requiring specialized sk…
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Mastering the craft

May 1, 2017  |  Features, Perspective

Jerry Margrave keeps his company on track by staying on top of industry skills, technology and opportunities to solve customer problems. “Every time the phone rings we have a new opportunity to see how we can help somebody,” says Jerry Margrave, MFC, owner of Specialty Trim & Awning Inc.…
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Innovation on the fly

May 1, 2017  |  Projects

When it comes to predicting hurricanes and other severe weather events, getting accurate, up-to-the-minute details can literally be the difference between life and death. Now NASA is developing a glider that could be a game changer in weather prediction. The Weather Hazard Alert and Awareness Techno…
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Shade 101: Beyond the basics

May 1, 2017  |  Features

Successful marketing and selling means reaching, educating and caring for customers—in print, in person and online. Sit outside in sun and rain.  Reduce cooling costs and glare. Protect indoor and outdoor furnishings from UV rays. Add a level of privacy while enhancing the architecture of your ho…
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2017 Specialty Fabrics Showcase: Part 2

May 1, 2017  |  Products

Fabric means performance—the qualities that customers demand. For this feature, we asked our contributors to send us information about their latest high-performing fabrics: fabrics that protect against weather, pests, disease, use and abuse for years—and look good doing it. We’ve organized the…
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The play of color and light

May 1, 2017  |  Projects

The Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy, a plaza central to the city’s history, is a popular tourist attraction and gathering spot. A short walk away, located amidst a series of courtyards, is the Brac Bookstore + Café, a fresh, modern respite from the hubbub of the square. Recently, the 807…
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Weaving biological tissues

May 1, 2017  |  Projects

Researchers at the University of New South Wales Sydney (UNSW) have developed a smart fabric with properties similar to the bone tissue periosteum, and are now ready to produce fabric prototypes for a number of different functional materials. In developing the fabric, the biomedical engineers looked…
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Handle with care

May 1, 2017  |  Business, Management

Layoffs or firings can mean trouble for everyone involved. It’s an unwelcome responsibility, but almost every business owner and manager will eventually come face-to-face with the disagreeable task of terminating one or more employees. “Firing people is one of the toughest, most unpleasant thing…
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Property protection

May 1, 2017  |  Industry News

How small firms can learn to recognize and head off product piracy. Most American businesspeople understand that the theft of intellectual property is a big problem—one that costs U.S. firms $300 billion a year. For decades, I have counseled my small and mid-size clients that this is a problem tha…
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Living off the land

May 1, 2017  |  Fabric Structures, Markets

Ohana Yurts encourages sustainable living, one yurt at a time. To Jenny and Nathan Toler, a yurt is more than a temporary shelter or even a permanent home; it’s a way to reconnect with the earth. “It’s living in the environment as opposed to being protected from it,” explains Nathan, who own…
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