Techtextil North America Symposium 2008

Techtextil North America Symposium continues to be the industry's leader presenting the best education forum for high-level technical textiles. Renowned international specialists and leading industry consultants cover the latest technology and market trends in a broad range of topics and a variety of formats. The symposium draws attendance from the highest-level industry professionals eager to learn what the experts have to say.

Were you unable to attend Techtextil North America Symposium 2008?  Then here is your chance to gain some of the knowledge that was shared at the event!

  Tuesday, April 1, 2008

  Wednesday, April 2, 2008

  Thursday, April 3, 2008



Tuesday, April 1, 2008

8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
101:General Session
Chair: William C. Smith, Techtextil North America Symposium Director, Industrial Textile Associates, Greer, SC
Presentations relevant to the state of the technical textiles industry.

• Keynote Address
  The Competition Never Sleeps
   Allen E. Gant, Jr., President, Glen Raven Inc.,
  Glen Raven, NC
One of the most important realities of the new global economy is that your competition never sleeps. Glen Raven, a 127-year-old family owned company, has come to terms with this economic reality over the past decade, exiting unprofitable commodity businesses, expanding into Europe and Asia and fostering an innovative corporate culture focused on value-added solutions.

During his keynote address for Techtexti North America, Glen Raven President Allen E. Gant will outline his company’s transformation from a U.S.-based textiles company to a global provider of innovative products and services. From transforming attitudes of associates inside the company to strategic management of investments overseas, He will describe the vision, the discipline and the business strategies that have positioned Glen Raven for continued growth in a world where time and geography are no longer competitive barriers.

• Trade Issues – Helping or Hurting?
   Maria D’Andrea, Supervisor, Eastern Hemisphere,
  Office of Textiles and Apparel, International Trade
  Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce,
  Washington, DC
What is the status and role of trade negotiations and how they impact our industry? What is being done, or not being done, to ensure a healthy industry? What are the prospects for the manufacturing sector?

• Synthetic Fibers in the Global Technical Textiles
  Industry
   Alasdair Carmichael, President – Americas, PCI Fibres,    Spartanburg, SC
A review of major global, regional and local suppliers and related feedstocks to the industry, and the ever changing ownerships as the markets shift. Growth rates of fibers for the technical textiles market will be analyzed, including the latest view on Chinese capacities and demand.  PET, nylon, and some high performance fiber types will be examined where increased demand due to military and security requirements has impacted the market. Some older fibers may have a new lease on life. Trade agreements and political issues will be reviewed and their impact on technical textiles explained.

• Astounding New Applications of Fiber-Based
  Products: A Selective Look at Recent Advances
   P. Radhakrishnaiah, Ph.D.,  School of Polymer, Textile &
   Fiber Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Highly engineered textile structures intended for many unconventional applications, some of which were not even known a decade ago are fast becoming a reality. While material innovations opened the door for the design of the new products, their evolution into commercially viable finished products required extraordinary collaboration between world class-academic institutions, visionary executives of the industry, highly talented engineers and creative designers. This presentation takes a selective look at some of the most innovative fiber-based products developed in recent years for application in aeronautics, space exploration, healthcare, competitive sports, communication, personal protection, agriculture, transportation and civil engineering.

• European Technical Textiles – Business
  Developments and Economic Atmosphere
  Werner Zirnzak, Industrieverband Garne - Gewebe -
  Technische Textilien e.V., Germany
The general economic atmosphere in the European Union (EU) has been steadily improving, with average growth rates of 2.5-3.5 percent in 2006 and 2007. Some technical textile producers in the EU have realized growth rates above 10 percent in 2006 over 2005, with similar trends showing in 2007. Through 2010, the market for technical textiles is expected to grow 3-5 percent per year in Western countries (NAFTA, EU and Australia) and by 5-8 percent per year in Asia and Russia. China, India and Russia currently import 70-80 percent of their technical textiles, especially those of high quality, due to their lack of capacity and technical know-how. The opportunity for the Western countries to penetrate these markets with technical textiles is quite good. BUT, there must be cooperation and respect for intellectual property.
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1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
102: Research by the National Textile Center 
Chair: Dr. Martin Jacobs, Executive Director, National Textile Center, Spring House, PA
Discussion and poster sessions of many of the relevant research projects by the National Textile Center (NTC) consortium researchers.

This session, unique to Techtextil North America Symposium, will feature the latest developments in research related to technical textiles by researchers in the multi-university consortium. Its director, Dr. Martin Jacobs, will lead off with an overview of the NTC work and status of projects. Planned topics are listed below but may be subject to change depending on the relevance and status of research, and to ensure the presentation of the latest information.

Poster sessions will be available for all presentations giving attendees an opportunity to talk with the researchers.

Presenters and topics will include:

• NTC: Technology Transfer to the Fiber-Textile-
  Apparel Industry
  Dr. Martin Jacobs, Executive Director, National Textile
  Center, Spring House, PA

• Shape Memory Polymer Fibers for Comfort Wear
   Dr. Fred Cook, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA

• Gas Permeation Through Barrier Materials
   Dr. Yasser Gowayed, Auburn University, Auburn, AL

• Fundamental Studies of Wicking in Textiles
   Dr. Johannes Leisen, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA

• Manufacturing of Carbon Nonwoven Gas
  Diffusion Layers with Wet-Laying Process
  Dr. Sabit Adanur, Auburn University, Auburn, AL

• Boundary Lubrication and Molecular Assembly in
  Fiber Processing
  Dr. Juan Hinestroza, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

• Electrostatic Generation and Dissipation on
  Polymer Surfaces
  Dr. William Oxenham, North Carolina State University,
  Raleigh, NC

• Alginate Fiber Based Devices
  Dr. Phil Brown, Clemson University, Clemson, SC

• NTC Research at the Interface of Materials
  and Biology
  Dr. Mike Ellison, Clemson University, Clemson, SC

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103: Concerns of Expanding Globally
Chair: Jorman Fields, Managing Director, International Market Solutions, Greensboro, NC
Pros and cons and opportunities and pitfalls of expanding and/or doing business globally.

• Protecting Intellectual Property Globally
  Darrel Collier, Managing Director, International Market Solutions,
  LLC, Waxhaw, NC
How does one protect a company’s intellectual property (IP) when the company expands globally? What does one need to know about other legal systems used around the world and how that affects my business strategies? How and when does a company hire a lawyer to help protect their IP in other countries? These are questions business leaders need to ask about IP when they expand globally. This layman’s oriented presentation will provide the critical steps and management processes to international IP protection. 

• The Importance of Relationships when
   Expanding Globally - Distribution to
   Manufacturing
   Keith Crisco, President, Asheboro Elastics Corp. Asheboro,   NC
A diversified manufacturer of narrow elastic and non-elastic narrow fabric discusses how they have positioned themselves as a global supplier. They have matched their resources available to meet  customer's requirements. Relationships built up many years of distribution of their products in Mexico and the Caribbean area, combined with the relationships developed from involvement in trade treaty negotiations have been a major help to in setting up manufacturing in the region.

• Invention, Innovation and New Product
  Development: Building Worldwide Partnerships
  for Technical Textile Technologies
   Dean Blanton Godfrey, NCSU College of Textiles, Raleigh,
   NC
The North Carolina State University (NCSU) has had a theme of the "New World of Textiles" for many years. Much of the focus has been on innovation and the creation of new products.  It is obvious that to accomplish goals they had to build global partnerships with leading companies and universities throughout the world.  Establishment of a Nonwovens Institute, their Industry University Research Center on Filtration, and Textile Protection and Comfort Center provide the infrastructure for worldwide collaborations with leading university faculty, students and industry partners.  NCSU is creating new research programs in automotive textiles, medical textiles and nanotextiles with new university and industry worldwide partnerships to better serve the needs of an expanding global marketplace.

• Relevant Trade Issues - A Changing Industry
  Jim Leonard, Past Deputy Assistant Secretary of
  Commerce, Jamestown, NC 
A veteran of almost 35 years working in the domestic textile industry, with over 20 of those involved in international trade. His goal while in industry was to ensure that at the table - to the extent there was a table - the company’s and industry’s  concerns were heard when the US Government was negotiating an international textile trade agreement.  In many negotiations things were “given away” when there was no one there to argue against being “given away”. When later working for the US Department of Commerce, and intimately involved in many of those negotiations, he was an advocate for the industry. It is critical the industry have people to speak for their own company/industry sector.

• Ready, Fire, Aim: A No Nonsense Approach That
  Illustrates Some Major Mistakes made by U.S.
  Exporters
  Mary-Lynn Landgraf, Senior Int'l Trade Specialist, U.S.
  Department of Commerce, Office of Textiles and Apparel,
  Washington, DC
Doing business outside the US offers great opportunities, but many are reluctant to get involved, and many who do go about it the wrong way. You don't know what you don't know, and this is what can hurt you. This presentation by a specialist in promoting US companies overseas discusses the most common mistakes made, resulting in lost time, expense, and/or opportunities.

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104: High Performance Engineered Flexible Materials and Structures (Nonwovens)
Chair: Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Distinguished Professor and Executive Director, Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center, The Nonwovens Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Nonwovens are a growing and ever more important segment of technical textiles.

• Nanoporous Alumina Membranes
   Roger J Narayan, Joint Department of  Biomedical Engineering,
   North Carolina State University,  Raleigh, NC

• Carbonized and Activated Cotton Nonwovens
   Yan Chen, School of Human Ecology, Louisiana State
   University , Baton Rouge, LA

• New Surface Finishing Processes For Potential
  Filtration Applications
   Gregory N Parsons , Chemical and Biomolecular  Engineering,
   North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

• Nanofibers With Tunable Electrical Conductivity
  For Hybrid Electrospun/Traditional Filters
   Russell E. Gorga, College of Textiles, North Carolina State
   University, Raleigh, NC

• A Realistic Approach for Modeling Permeability of
  Fibrous Media
   Hooman Vahedi Tafreshi, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
   Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

• Computer Program for Filter Media Design
   George G. Chase, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular
   Engineering , The University of Akron, Akron, OH

• Modeling Nonwoven Nano Filtration
   Benoit Maze, The Nonwovens Institute, North Carolina
   State University, Raleigh, NC

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202: Composites
Chair: Dr. Sabit Adanur, Department of Polymer and Fiber Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
From airplanes to golf clubs – composites are an important and growing area with many opportunities.

• Lightweight Hybrid Composites Made From
  Carbon and Glass Fabrics With High Modulus
  Polypropylene Fibers
  Brian Morin, Innegrity LLC, Greenville, SC
High modulus polypropylene (HMPP) fibers made through a melt extrusion process are light weight and tough. Because of the extraordinarily low density and high modulus, HMPP fibers can be used with carbon, aramid, and glass fibers in a sandwich ore structure to reduce the weight and increase the toughness of composites. Hybrid composites allow an achievement of composite properties that are better than either component material, while reducing costs.

• The Effect of Nesting and Compaction on the
   Interfacial Shear Behavior of Woven Composites
   Dr. Ebraheem Shady and Dr. Yasser Gowayed, Polymer and
   Fiber Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
An analytical model is developed to relate yarn and fabric geometric parameters to yarn crimp angles, nesting between layers, phase shift and fiber volume fraction at different compaction levels. Results are compared to experimental data for E-glass/ epoxy composites to validate the geometric model. Upon verification, the model is used as input for a micro-structural mechanistic model to evaluate the interfacial sheer strength between fabric layers and the results are compared to the four-point bending test results.

• Nano-reinforced Shape Memory Fibers
  Dr. Maria L. Auad, Mirna A. Mosiewicki, Tara Richardson,
  Dr. Fatma Kilinc-Balci, and Dr. Roy M. Broughton, Jr.,
  Polymer and Fiber Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn,
  AL
Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are functional polymers, which are capable of fixing a transient shape and recovering to their original shape after a series of thermo-mechanical treatments. However in some applications, SMPs may not generate enough recovery force to be useful. A completely new approach is explored to increase the recovery force of the shape memory polymer through the incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals and carbon nanotubes as nanofillers. Shape memory polyurethane fibers (SMPFs) reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals and carbon nanotubes were prepared by extrusion. The thermal and mechanical performance of neat polyurethane fibers and resulting composites were characterized and compared through tensile and thermal cyclic tensile test.

• A Novel Three Dimensional Woven-Knit Hybrid
   Fabric for Composite Reinforcement
   Dr. Sabit Adanur, Polymer and Fiber Engineering,
  Auburn University, Auburn, AL; Dr. Levent Gumusel
  and Dr. Hasan Bas, Karadeniz Technical University,
  Trabzon, Turkey
A novel 3-D woven/knit fabric structure was developed and characterized for composite reinforcement. The fabric structure was produced on a patented woven-knit hybrid machine combining the principles of both fabric forming techniques. Composites were made and tested for bending characteristics.

• Fabrication and Characterization of Nylon
  6/MWNT Nanofibers
   Derrick R. Dean,  Department of Material Science and
   Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB),
   Birmingham, AL
Dispersion and alignment of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are significant in improving the properties of CNT based nanocomposites. In this study, aligned nanofibrous nanocomposites of Nylon 6 and functionalized Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWNTs) were successfully synthesized via electrospinning and studied.

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203: Extreme Fibers
Chair: Terry McKenna, Fortron Technical Marketing – Fortron, Ticona, Ocean City, NJ
Fibers with unique and special properties make many products possible or cost effective.

• Advances in High Temperature Thermoplastic
  Fibers
  Dr. Noel Briscoe, Business Manager, Zyex, UK
A survey of the high performance engineering thermoplastics, both amorphous and semi-crystalline, and their characteristics as fibers. Do we really need them? Prospects for even higher performance characteristics by increasing glass transition temperature and melting point to the limits of melt processability will be discussed. Some applications for one particular leading edge plastic, PEEK, in industrial, aerospace and leisure markets will be given to illustrate concepts. Considerations of the limitations of existing materials will give rise to pointers for future developments and market use. Where will we be in 50 years time?

• Advances in Weathering Resistance of COPE
   Bruce Mulholland, Global Color Technology Manager,
   Ticona, Florence, KY 
Copolyester elastomers (COPE) are high performance thermoplastic elastomers. Their sensitivity to photo-oxidation restricts their broad use in applications requiring UV stability, including applications such as monofilament for automotive seating fabric, high end office suspension fabric seating or outdoor furniture. Typical monofilament produced from conventional copolyester elastomers become brittle upon UV exposure, with some losing as much as 95% of its initial ductility in a relatively short time. Advances in stabilization have allowed monofilament to be produced to maintain 100% of its ductility after a reasonable exposure. This presentation will review the advances in UV stabilization of COPE and potential uses.

• Calendered High Performance Melt Blown
  Nonwoven from Liquid Crystalline Polymer
   Larry C. Wadsworth, Material Science and Engineering,
  University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
  Will be presented by Dr. Roy Broughton, Auburn University,
  Auburn, AL
Liquid crystalline polymers (LCP) are known for their remarkable mechanical properties and thermal stability and have applications in lightweight materials used in bullet-proof vests, stealth airplanes, high-performance cables and tire cord. In a recent study, these researchers demonstrated the melt blowing (MB) of unusually strong and thermally stable micro-denier MB LCP for potential applications in high temperature, chemically resistant filters and insulation.

• High Tech Specialty Fiber - Filling Unmet Needs
  Ed Homonoff, Fiber Innovation Technologies, Inc.,
  Brooklyn, CT
Specialty fibers utilizing new polymers and fiber additives and production techniques are being developed to meet very specific unmet needs in technology applications. Utilizing these new techniques, performance characteristics can be enhanced, creating new solutions to these needs. Recent examples include highly dyeable fibers with significant fiber fire resistance properties, and fibers with rechargeable and tailorable antimicrobial properties. The commercialization of such fiber types will be discussed.

• Spun Carbon Yarns, A New Tool for Composite
  Reinforcements
   Dr. James E. Hendrix, President, Jim Hendrix and
   Associates, LLC, Pacolet, SC
A new patented technique allows the manufacture of balanced ply-twisted spun carbon yarns that are finding application in a broad range of end-uses from sports equipment to aerospace. The spun yarns are produced from filament carbon tow in yields from 6k to 1k (and finer). Spun carbon has been reported to perform better than filament in tubular constructions and in carbon/carbon composites. The manufacturing process facilitates combining carbon with other fiber types (para-aramids and/or thermoplastic fibers) for special properties as needed for some applications.

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1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
204: Government II -  Multifunctional Textiles for Military Applications
Chair: Eugene Wilusz, Ph.D., Senior NBC Scientist. Warfighter Science, Technology and Applied Research Directorate, Natick Soldier RD&E Center, Natick, MA
Continuing with technology developments being worked on by the US military. While the final topics and speakers for this session are being developed based on the latest and most relevant work, from camouflage to intelligent textiles – many materials offer a multitude of use properties for many civilian areas. This session will focus on areas such as camouflage, cold weather, tents and shelters, surface treatments, and intelligent textiles.
Topics in progress include:

• The Challenge of Fielding Combat Uniforms
    Christine Cole, Clemson University, Clemson, SC

•  Multifunctional Fibers and Textiles via
   Manipulation of Nanoscale Phenomena
    Juan Hinestroza, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

•  Development of Novel Decontamination Wipes
   for Chemical Warfare Agent Removal and
   Retention
    Seshandri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University,
    Lubbock, TX
 
• 3D Structure Modeling to Create
  Superhydrophobic Textiles
   Hoon Joo Lee, North Carolina State University,
   Raleigh, NC

• Surface Bonded Photoactive Antimicrobial Textiles
  Stephen Michielsen, North Carolina State University,
  Raleigh, NC

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205: Technical Knits
Chair: Skip Gehring, President, Gehring Textiles, Garden City, NY
Knit fabrics offer unique design possibilities. An important segment of technical textiles create opportunities in product development.

• Technical Knits – Offering New Opportunities
   Stephen (Steve) Smith, National Sales Manager, SSM
   Industries, Spring City, TN

• Spacer Fabrics – Unique Knit Constructions for
  Special Applications
   George J. Kelnhofer, Circular Knit Development, Gehring
   Textiles, Garden City, NY

• Developing Specialty Knit Fabrics to Meet
  Performance Standards
   Skip Gehring, President, Gehring Textiles, Garden City, NY

• Solutions For Technical Textiles
   Speaker from Mayer Textile Machinery

• Impact Technology
   Peter G. Macon, Director, Macon & Associates, Inc.,
   Davidson, NC

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206: Automotive
Chair: Deborah K. Lickfield, PhD, Lickfield Consulting LLC, Easley, SC
The largest segment for technical textiles in terms of dollars – more than meets the eye. From airbags and interiors to unseen but vital components that make cars run better and last longer.

• Navigating the Development Process
  Stephanie Rodgers, Automotive Textile Solutions Inc.,
   Dundee, MI
Ever wonder why the automotive textile marketplace is so tough? Where is the starting point and how can an innovative idea advance down the road? Who is driving the initiative to bring new textile innovations to this marketplace?  What is the next best thing for automotive textiles?  When will greener alternatives be implemented? This paper will review key aspects of entering the automotive applications marketplace with a textile product.

• Material Trends in Automotive Interior Trim
  Theresa Marcantonio, Market Analyst, North American
   Supply Chain and Technology Forecasts, CSM Worldwide,
   Northville, MI
Competition amongst materials used in the automotive interior strengthens as the use of non-woven materials grows and expands into an array of automotive production applications.  Material trends covering seating, floor systems, headliners, package trays, and trunk liners will be presented.

• Silicone Rheology and the Impact on
  Airbag Coatings
   William R. Blackwood, Dow Corning Corporation,
   Midland, MI
Film formation of liquid silicone rubber onto woven fabric by knife or transfer coating has been addressed over the years by achieving a delicate balance of blade design, fabric tension and coating rheology. The most critical applications are those requiring a reduction in gas permeability through the coated fabric as well as thermal protection of the fabric. One such application is in the coating of airbag fabrics for airbags and inflatable curtains where thermal protection and pressure retention are part of the life saving features of the system. This presentation will show the impact of shear rheology of the silicone polymer as it passes under the coating knife with an emphasis on the film formation and impact on properties.  

•  Finally, Weight Really Matters and the
   Implications for Auto Floor Systems
   Ed Cerne, President, EPCCO, Durham, NC
An industry veteran reviews the outlook for automotive applications for nonwovens, especially floor covering. Will needled products replace tufted carpeting?

• Crossing Over to Better Performance
  Christopher Phillips, Global Team Leader - Offshore
  Moorings/Senior Customer Technical Representative,
  Performance Fibers, Richmond, VA
high modulus fibers provide value-based alternative to aramids.

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• Application of Nanotechnology
  to Fiber and Fabrics
  Dan Hayes, President and Founder, NanoHorizons, State
  College, PA
Materials improvements in textile applications based on applied nanotechnology have been pursued for several years. Top issues encountered in these efforts have included manufacturability, consistent quality, cost, and materials safety concerns.  This paper shows how nanoscale engineering enabled one company to address challenges that have plagued companies trying to create new antimicrobial fibers. An overview of the assessment of nanotech safety concerns will also covered.

• Nanotechnology – Enabling Multifunctional
  Environmentally Friendly Textile Finishes
  Joseph F. Bringley, G3 Technical Innovations, LLC,
  Pittsford, NY
Nanotechnology, arguably, is entering its second decade of applications in textiles and in many other markets.  The main barriers to adoption of this technology are the inability to transfer laboratory discoveries to the manufacturing floor, and cost. This paper will discuss efforts to develop a nanomaterials manufacturing platform that enables the large-scale, low cost production of multi-functional nanomaterials. Emphasis is on a platform to develop a water, oil and stain resistant finish for textiles utilizing the principle of nano-roughness and reduces, by as much as 90 %, the need for potentially harmful buildup of fluorochemicals currently being used in stain resistant textiles finishes.  

• High Performance Micro and Nano Engineered
  Structures
   Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, The Nonwovens Institute, North
   Carolina Statue University, Raleigh, NC

• Understanding the Role of Nanoparticle Surface
  Area on Composite Reinforcement
  Meisha Shofer, Georgia Institute of Technology,
  Atlanta, GA

• Nano Clay and Fibrillated Cellulose Modified
  ‘Green’ Soy Protein Resins and Advanced
   Green Composites
   Anil N. Naetravali, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

                                          ***

302:Body Armor for Law Enforcement Protection
Chair: Frank Erwin, Executive Vice-President, Managing Member, Valley Operational Wear, LLC, Op Wear Armor, Knoxville, TN
Law enforcement and emergency services have special needs. Textiles play an important part – more than just body armor.

   
• Core Matrix Technology, A Three-Dimensional
   Ballistic Technology for the Next Generation
   Eric Ritter, Director of Product Development, Tex
   Tech Industries, No. Monmouth, ME                 

• Development of UHMWPE Based Personal Body
  Armor
   Shitij Chabba, Application Manager Life Protection,
   DSM Dyneema, Stanley, NC                           

• Technical Advances in Performance of FR Fabric -
   Improving Comfort and Safety in Body Armor
   Rob Hines, Vice President Product Development,
   Columbus, VA

• The Market Utilization of High Performance Uni-
   Directional Fabrics
   Marcus Dellinger, National Sales Manager, TechFiber LLC,
  Tempe, AZ

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303: Enhancing Value by Finishing
Chair: Jim Kauffman, Development Manager, T.E.A.M., Inc., Slatersville, RI
Surface modification and fabric finishing create special properties in fabrics, making many products possible and/or effective.

• Carbon Footprints and Market Opportunities
   W. Everett Smith, Consultant, Wheeling, WV
While the debates over your company’s carbon footprint or greenhouse gases and the impact of global warming may be controversial and the outcome not truly known for years to come, there is little debate that these subjects are hot topics, and greatly affects fabric finishing. Hot topics are hot markets and there are companies who are using today’s modern textiles in new ways to capitalize on the conscious consumers desire to make their life just a little greener. This special presentation will focus on capitalizing on the green market place by partnering with modern textile manufacturers and look at how today’s technical textile manufacturer, especially those involved in fabric enhancement,  can find new markets for their existing products, join the green marketplace and reduce your carbon footprint.

• Chemical Finishes and Surface Modification
   Dr Phil Brown, School of Materials Science and
   Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Looking towards the future, new ideas and technology will allow fabrics with improved properties and added value.

• Comparison Of Waterproof-Breathable Garment
  Technologies Via Physiological Data Monitoring
   Sarah Gott, Program Manager, GE Energy, BHA Group,
   Inc., Kansas City, MO
There are a wide variety of technical fabrics available to consumers for environmental protection. There are several competing technologies that offer protection. The comfort felt by the wearer varies widely. Thermal comfort has traditionally been quantified by laboratory testing on fabric. In the present study, three dominant waterproof-breathable technologies were compared for comfort using real life physiological monitoring techniques.

• Multi-Layered Membrane Assemblies
  Dr. Igor Luzinov, Associate Professor, Clemson University,
  School of Materials Science and Engineering, Clemson, SC

• Multi-Layers Composites and Multi-Fuctionality
  Scott Ayers, VP Sales and Marketing, Beckmann Converting,
  Inc., Amsterdam, NY

• Laminating Technologies
  Mike Budai, Lamination Specialist, ITW Dynatec,
  Hendersonville, TN

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