Innovation

Quite famously known as the ‘Green City in the Sun’, Nairobi has a bunch of students from its leading university figuring out an “incredible alternative” on how to use agro-waste, specially from maize—the principal staple food of Kenya—and pineapple, connecting the farming community to fashion in a way that both people and the planet not only survive but thrive.

The spider’s web-spinning process has been used by researchers at the National University of Singapore to develop strong, stretchable, and electrically conductive soft fibres that can be used to make smart, functional textiles.

Using biotechnology to design performance products, a US-based enterprise has launched a line of activewear using 100% petroleum-free wicking technology derived from microalgae instead of fossil fuels.

The Amphitex project of Amphibio is the first 100% recyclable chemical-free waterproof breathable textile made for the outdoor and sportswear apparel industry. In April this year, Amphitex by  Amphibio was announced as one of four Terra Carta Design Lab winners. CEO & Founder Jun Kamei talks about ideas and how he sees things shaping up in the near future.

Ionofibres, or ionically conductive fibres, may in the future be used for such items as textile batteries, textile displays and textile muscles, according to researchers. A texfash.com report.

A revolutionary technology could help to drastically reduce landfill waste from clothing, textiles, and PPE products, offering far-reaching environmental benefits. texfash.com reports

Research on a new textile-based filter that combines cotton fabric and an enzyme that can filter carbon dioxide from air and gas mixtures at promising rates could be a step forward in reducing carbon dioxide emissions from biomass, coal or natural gas power plants. texfash.com reports.

Patients recovering from breast cancer may wear a mastectomy bra with an external breast prosthesis to recreate their natural feminine silhouette and minimise body imbalance. But, Asian patients may find it difficult to buy a well-fitting prosthesis because those designs are typically based on western models. An innovation from HKRITA solves that problem.

Your next trendy handbag could be fashioned from “leather” made from a fungus. Researchers have harnessed this organism to convert food waste into sustainable faux leather, as well as paper products and cotton substitutes, with properties comparable to the traditional materials.