Tent Expo 2026 showcases innovation, education

April 1, 2026  |  Swatches

The Tent Rental Division (TRD) of Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) brought energy, education and collaboration to Tent Expo 2026, held Jan. 27–29 at Margaritaville Resort Orlando in Kissimmee, Fla. With certification courses, expanded exhibits and high-energy networking events, this year’s ex…
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Inflatable underground geodesic homes tested by Pneumocell

April 1, 2026  |  Swatches

Inspired by their research on inflatable structures as moon habitats, the team at Pneumocell, Austria, is testing a much more grounded prototype—a subterranean geodesic Earth home called Pneumo Planet.
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Vine-inspired soft robotic gripper

April 1, 2026  |  Swatches

Engineers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University have created a robotic gripper that can gently pick up various heavy and fragile objects.
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Agriculture fabrics for ever-changing seasons

April 1, 2026  |  Features

Whether traveling the countryside in the United States or around the globe, it doesn’t take long to spot a storage building, livestock or poultry shelter, or agriculture storage structure made of a textile. It could be a framed Quonset-hut style building with a textile skin rather than a metal she…
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Critical insurance lessons for fabricators

April 1, 2026  |  Business, Markets

For years, I viewed insurance premiums as a necessary evil—an expensive line item that seemed to grow annually without tangible benefit. That perspective changed dramatically when fire tore through our marine canvas workshop. What I learned in the aftermath could save your business if disaster str…
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Geotextiles and geogrids mean longer-lasting roads

April 1, 2026  |  Markets, Product Trends

Can geotextiles and geogrids help build roadways that last for 100 years—or longer? Yes, say both industry and transportation representatives, although wider adaptation may require overcoming a few bumps in the road.
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Maintaining critical funding

April 1, 2026  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

Among the factors that have made the U.S. a superpower are its investment in R&D and contributions from highly skilled foreign nationals in scientific fields. The innovation borne out by this funding—as well as policies promoting domestic manufacturing—eventually influences home markets for …
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Kolorful Kanvas creates protective, tailored robot skin

April 1, 2026  |  Projects

A need to protect a robotic arm from desert heat, UV rays and dust brought Kolorful Kanvas Ltd. of Christchurch, New Zealand, a custom project from an existing local client.
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Tropicana Field roof replacement done early

April 1, 2026  |  Swatches

Hurricane Milton recovery for the Tampa Bay Rays was expected to be complete for the start of baseball season, ahead of the club’s Home Opener April 6. The new Tropicana Field roof panel installation was completed early, in late November 2025, as announced by the City of St. Petersburg, Fla. Work …
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Researchers develop cleaner way to make rayon-type fibers

April 1, 2026  |  Swatches

A University of British Columbia (UBC) forestry research team has developed a cleaner, simpler way to produce rayon.
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