July 2023 Archives

Soft robotic biomedical devices function magnetically

July 1, 2023 | Swatches

One of the challenges of minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery lies in getting surgical instruments into the patient’s body via a narrow catheter. Scientists may have found a solution with magnetic instruments that pop into and out of shape as needed. The experimental MaSoChain (magnetic soft-ro…

Flexin’ muscle on a 1960s Bel Air restoration

July 1, 2023 | Projects

The Chevy Bel Air, a luxury car back in the day, turned heads no matter what street it cruised down in the ’50s and ’60s—and it continues to do so today.

Interest in reupholstering rises following the pandemic

July 1, 2023 | Markets, Product Trends

Growing demand, using environmentally friendly materials and finding ways to address the labor shortage are some of the market trends and challenges upholsterers are seeing in their industry.

Reducing microplastics: Research and what we can do now

July 1, 2023 | Industry in Focus, Markets

When synthetic textiles and clothing are washed—at both the industrial and the personal level—they shed small plastic particles known as microfibers that make their way into our ecosystem. Microfibers make up more than a third of the type of pollution in our oceans called microplastics, as estim…

Is it the end of polyester (as we know it)?

July 1, 2023 | Advanced Textiles, Markets

Where would we be without polyester? Fibers created from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are ubiquitous in our apparel, home furnishings, automotive, filtration and personal care industries. In 2021, they represented 57.57% of the global fiber market, according to Fibre2Fashion’s market insight t…

PFAS regulations prompt innovation

July 1, 2023 | Features

A s the momentum to eliminate per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS) picks up speed, growing numbers of product manufacturers and suppliers are exploring how to make their lines comply with the ever-tightening regulations and restrictions affecting C6 PFAS (long-chain C8 chemistries are alr…

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“Alternative” fabrics: Biofabrics made from plant sources

July 1, 2023 | Features

The search for bio-based alternative fabrics, an important tenet of sustainability, is top of mind for fiber and fabric manufacturers these days. The companies featured here illustrate some of the different approaches that are being taken to reduce carbon, improve sustainability and deliver on the p…

Scott Neville: Prioritize trust to join legacy companies

July 1, 2023 | Features, Perspective

Fifteen years ago, Scott Neville was a newcomer to the shade industry. In partnership with his father, Ron, he has since acquired three renowned awning companies with more than 300 years of combined industry leadership. And he’s just getting started.

Self-healing, conductive gel could redefine soft robotics

July 1, 2023 | Industry News

A new material could help produce self-healing, conductive robotic devices that are also soft. Developed by a team of scientists at Carnegie Mellon University, the substance consists of a gelatinous polyvinyl alcohol-sodium borate base, in which are embedded silver microflakes and gallium-based liq…

On-demand color-changing fabric technology developed