Innovations help firms to differentiate their products and gain a
competitive advantage. Using mirrors, Aston University in the UK has converted a 75 km optical fibre into a laser. Researchers in Beijing have a technique for producing a carbon nanotube yarn, and researchers in Hong Kong have used carbon nanotubes to dramatically increase the strength of bullet-proof fabrics. Polyplastics has a new polyoxymethylene flat yarn for packaging tape while Faytex has a new elastic yarn for sportswear. Milliken has a new woven fabric for automotive airbags and Sonobond's ultrasonic bonding can be used for sealing nonwovens for automotive air filters. Vetrotex has a process for producing glass fibre mats for use in the manufacture of composites.
RG Attachments has a new folder for clothing manufacture while a new
lighter weight but stronger material for body armour from the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN) uses a three-dimensional network of epoxy struts. DuPont uses a blend of aramid and flame retardant cellulosic fibres for lightweight protective clothing while Amer Salah has a garment with electrodes to provide muscle stimulation.
Researchers in California have a neoprene garment resembling a
wetsuit for saving life in childbirth. Georgia Technical Research
Corporation has a garment-based sensor to transmit vital signs from
patients at home while Margaret Orth has developed a light controller
incorporated within a soft conductive textile.
Procter and Gamble has a new disposable cleaning wipe. Singing Rock
has a novel lightweight mountaineering rope and Viking Life Saving
Equipment has a new textile life raft. Nun and Oles have self-cleaning textiles incorporating nanoparticles, and Milliken has a new anti-static textile finish. | 
