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Fiber composite can repair itself 1,000+ times
June 1, 2026 | Swatches
Researchers at North Carolina State University (NC State) have developed a self-healing composite that is tougher than materials currently used in aircraft wings, turbine blades and other applications and can repair itself more than 1,000 times.
VoxeLite can ‘feel the digital world’
June 1, 2026 | Swatches
Engineers at Northwestern University in Illinois have created VoxeLite, a bandage-like device that stretches around the fingertip and lets users “feel the digital world,” as described in a Northwestern article about the device. Featuring a series of nodes, the wrap creates a digital touch that r…
Smart wearable for post-stroke speech impairments
June 1, 2026 | Swatches
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a soft, washable choker that could help patients with post-stroke speech impairments regain the ability to communicate, providing an alternative to invasive devices such as brain implants.
AI graphics enable embroidered-look mock-up for customers
June 1, 2026 | Swatches
Florida-based custom patch manufacturer World Emblem is using artificial intelligence (AI) graphics rendering to show customers what their design will look like when embroidered, eliminating lag time for physical samples and production waste.
2026 State of the textile industry report
June 1, 2026 | Features, State of the Industry
Last year, we were wondering how tariffs would affect the U.S. economy and the domestic portion of the global textile industry, as the rates seemed to change daily at the time the Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) annual industry survey was being conducted in the spring. Inflation thus wound up be…
What event industry pros look for in draping fabrics—and why
June 1, 2026 | Features
Statement-making draping is reshaping client expectations for events. As event planners use this technique more intentionally to define celebratory spaces, the bar for both design and execution is rising, particularly in tented events.
How fabricators estimate jobs and ensure profitability
June 1, 2026 | Features
Fabrication work can be rewarding, but it often includes long hours. Unfortunately, outworking competitors doesn’t always translate into a more profitable operation. Getting estimates right for custom work is essential to run a successful business, but it’s tricky by nature to accomplish because…
Climate-friendly manufacturing
June 1, 2026 | Advanced Textiles, Markets
Textiles have typically been an industry with high energy consumption. In some circumstances, it can be highly labor-intensive, depending on the level of modernization. A February 2026 report from the European Environment Agency notes that textile consumption in 2020 in the European Union had the th…