New superconducting tape not just for wind turbines

April 1, 2017  |  Industry News, News

The European research project Eurotape has developed a material that has the ability to channel electricity with no resistance and little power loss. The researchers are promoting the superconducting tape for use in wind energy applications, but it could be adapted to architectural use.
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IFAI’s 2017 Smart Fabrics Program

March 29, 2017  |  Industry News, News

Channeling exciting ideas into new product development. At the 2017 Advanced Textiles Conference, four educational tracks—military, medical, smart fabrics and testing—will give attendees the latest news on the processes, products and profit potential in working with high-tech fabrics and fabrica…
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Student Design Competitions application deadline May 15

March 27, 2017  |  Industry News, News

IFAI appreciates members’ dedication to helping advance the textile industry. We encourage you to further that advancement by passing along the following information to students  who are interested in a textile industry career. Students have until Monday, May 15, 2017, to submit projects f…
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Detroit development proposal aims to refocus public space

March 1, 2017  |  Industry News, News

New York-based SHoP Architects have proposed a 52-story tower for a long-vacant lot in the heart of Detroit that would redevelop the site of the former J. L. Hudson’s Department Store. Located on Woodward Avene, the city’s main traffic spine, the project would feature a large multi-level retail …
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Membrane roof to protect Roman amphitheater

March 1, 2017  |  Industry News, News

A fan-like shade canopy is proposed to cover the almost 2,000-year-old Roman-era arena in the Italian city of Verona. Architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) in collaboration with German tensile experts schlaich bergermann have won the project to protect the stone amphitheater by placing a co…
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Knitted structure wins 2017 MoMA young architects award

March 1, 2017  |  Industry News, News

Jenny Sabin Studio, Ithaca, N.Y., has been named the winner of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) PS1 competition for a temporary urban landscape titled Lumen. New York architect Jenny Sabin brings solar-active textiles into her complex, lyrical design for the annual Young Architects Program—the “A…
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1980s high-tech center receives Grade II* listing

March 1, 2017  |  Industry News, News

The landmark Schlumberger Gould Research Center in Cambridge, England, has been listed by the British Heritage Minister as Grade II*, the second highest ranking offered by Historic England. Designed by Sir Michael Hopkins, “The Schlumberger Gould Research Centre is an extremely important piece of …
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IFF announces 2017 scholarships

February 7, 2017  |  Industry News, News

Students have until June 10, 2017, to apply for any of four $5,000 scholarships available through The Industrial Fabrics Foundation (IFF). Each year, IFF awards several scholarships to degree-seeking students enrolled in accredited colleges, universities or technical schools. The scholarships are pa…
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Power-generating textiles might augment buildings

February 1, 2017  |  News

Every January, Architect magazine, the official publication of the American Institute of Architects, publishes the predictions and recommendations of new materials guru, Blaine Brownell, for what he thinks architects and designers should expect to see more of in the coming year. Brownell’s five pi…
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Guidelines for fabric structures (ASCE 55-10) updated to current standards

February 1, 2017  |  News

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Tension Membrane Committee has revised ASCE 55-10, the organization’s primary set of guidelines for designing a wide variety of tensioned fabric structures. The new updated standard, ASCE 55-16, will answer how to design a structure to meet codes and …
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