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FibeRobo actuating fibers respond to heating and cooling
September 1st, 2024
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers used an industrial knitting machine to create a compression jacket for lead author Jack Forman’s dog (a), whose name is Professor. The jacket “hugs” a stuffed replica dog (b–c) based on a Bluetooth® signal from Forman’s smartphone. Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Northeastern University have […]
Vollebak jacket changes color depending on type of light
June 1st, 2024
Vollebak took its Solar Charged Jacket to another level by adding two fluorescent layers to three phosphorescent ones. The new Firefly Jacket changes color based on light, from orange to copper to “kryptonite” green—and fluorescent yellow when under a blacklight. It requires no lag time to charge. Images: Vollebak/Sun Lee Vollebak materials scientists have developed […]
Sailing apparel line includes smart fabric tech
June 1st, 2021
The Hungarian brand 878® has launched a line of sailing apparel with smart fabric technology, graphene-enhanced fabric and thermal control properties. The company describes its new sailing gear as ultra-lightweight, flexible, stretchy, waterproof and stronger than steel. The apparel can be made to measure utilizing 3D body-scanning technology. In addition to strength, graphene provides unique […]
Partnerships in smart textile products
November 11th, 2020
The second week of IFAI’s Virtual Expo 2020 advanced textiles educational sessions began with a presentation that illustrated the importance of collaboration. “Smart textiles for healthcare and wellbeing: a collaborative approach” had three presenters speaking from different perspectives, but with one, unified message about reaching across geographical distance and areas of expertise to create successful […]
Ski jacket for smarter sweating
February 1st, 2020
HYDRO_BOT technology matches sweat rates of the human body, eliminating sweat 10 times more effectively than ordinary membranes. The more moisture the skier produces, the faster it works. Photo: KJUS. It may be cold on the slopes, but on a downhill run it’s easy to build up sweat. Skiers understand all too well the discomfort […]
Succession Planning 101
February 1st, 2020
A seamless transfer of leadership in a family business requires hard conversations and a detailed road map to avoid the worst potholes and ensure a successful journey. by Jeff Moravec A family business can offer great rewards—personally and professionally—for its founders and their descendants. But a family business also presents unique challenges and requires careful […]
Fabrics that store information
February 1st, 2018
One day soon, the most sought-after feature in a new jacket may not be the style, color or its ability to keep you warm—it may be the garment’s unique capability to store information. Researchers at the University of Washington are using off-the-shelf conductive thread to create fabrics and fashion accessories that can store data from security codes […]
Fibers and fabrics play a starring role in the effort to harvest kinetic energy
September 1st, 2017
Back in the day, a telephone was expected to perform a limited number of functions: alert you when someone was trying to reach you and connect you to those you were trying to reach. Technology advanced and phones became more portable. The same sort of process is happening to fabrics and fibers. The possibility of […]
BeBop Sensors named in Gartner report
May 27th, 2016
BeBop Sensors Inc., a Berkeley, Calif.-based developer of smart fabric sensor technology, has been included in Gartner Inc.’s list of “Cool Vendors” in the “Cool Vendors in Using IoT-Enabled Humans Instead of Robots, 2016.” Vendors selected for Gartner’s report are innovative, impactful and intriguing. According to Michele Reitz, lead author and analyst at Gartner, “Robots […]