![]() Who is doing what when it comes to Smart & E-Textiles ? Samantha Louth The study of biology, textiles both synthetic and natural, engineering and the likes of 3D printing, the development of technology have all become a catalyst for what is out there now. Often these industries merge, ideas are sparked, the what if’s become infinite until they become reality. Great companies have research and development at their heart, they make it possible for a very different and ecological future. Many small and unheard of companies are the power houses in changing the future. These small powerhouses, will evolve in the future, in turn, they will become the spark that sets off more great business with a similar objective. Businesses like BioFur, Pembient, Modern Meadow, BioLoom, Bolt Thread, Biocouture, Getinterwoven, Faber Futures, BIOFABRICATE are creating smart textiles and alike. Specialisation is the name of the game in this broad area of advancing research. For example, Leather can now be real without killing a species for it. Certain proteins can be enhanced and amplified in a synthesis so as to create these amazing garments and products. Less energy is required, i.e animals being fed until they're death, just to extract the leather from their lifeless carcass. Modern Meadow is a company that specialises in this cruelty free leather industry. It is in fact 100% leather due to the biological engineering. “We spent the 20th century mastering chemistry to turn oil into high-performance, tunable synthetic materials. We learned how proteins fold, we sequenced our own genome and learnt to read and write with DNA. Now we’re using those tools to build the high-performing, biological materials of the 21st century.” (modernmeadow.com, 2018) Similar to this is Bolt Threads. Bolt Threads take the idea of spiders creating silk, they research ad developed their study of this over years. From this they have created a sustainable process to creating silk, without the requirement of spiders. They are sustainable as they combat the polyester market in their characteristics. Using the silk proteins, they have created genes of such which have been embedded into yeast, it is fermented with sugar and water, with two taps of a magic wand it is then turned into durable silk fabric. No more hem slippage or sweaty polyester dresses in the future. Studio XO is another futuristic, e-textile, wearable tech company, based in London, UK. This firm creates interactive clothing, or as they like to say, the create ‘digital couture experiences’. Studio XO can be specifically categorised as e-clothing which formalises itself as costume. Lady Gaga, Kings of Leon and Black Eyed Peas are some of their clients according to The next Black. Lady Gaga premiered one of Studio XO’s creations after one of her concerts, a bubble machine. She wore a dress that was architected with a bubble machine within it, reminding the fashion industry and larger public as to why fashion is so exciting. The collaboration of different industries and utilisation of top range technology can be seen in certain aspects of the industry for a range of many outcomes. With the help of another emerging technology, 3D printing, the information gathered by scientists and design created by creatives, 3D printing allows these products to be formed. An example of this is Dutch designer Joris Laarman’s work, the designer created a chair made from bone tissue. All in all, the companies out at the moment are facilitating changes for the future. They are inspiring others and influencing the next generation for things that are intrinsically important, things like sustainability. The next generation, Y & Z, they are aware of climate change, ethical issues when it comes to animals and pollution of water resources. Hence, this generation has the power to use knowledge acquired at a young age, becoming an integral part of themselves. This is exciting because it makes for an even more unpredictable, adventurous future. What will be out next? References: Modern Meadow - About Us, (online) http://www.modernmeadow.com/about-us/ [accessed on 27Feb2018] Bolt Thread - Technology, (online) https://boltthreads.com/technology/ [accessed on 17Feb18] The Next Black, 2014. (video) via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCsGLWrfE4Y [accessed on 20Feb18] Image 1.1 - Samantha Louth, Plant Protein, 2015 1.2 - Karolinska Institutet, Making Biological Drugs with Spider Silk Protein, 2017, (online) https://www.biosciencetechnology.com/news/2017/05/making-biological-drugs-spider-silk-protein , [accessed 27Feb2018] 1.3 - Daniel Nicolas, CAB Burgos, JL, (online) http://www.jorislaarman.com/work/bone-chair/ [accessed on 20Feb18]
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