Fabrics are no longer just a key player in fashion. Just last year, The White House announced a new manufacturing innovation centre; The Revolutionary Fibers and Textiles Institute for Manufacturing Innovation Hub. The aim being to secure US leadership in revolutionary fibres and textile manufacturing. Properties being researched varied greatly. From being lightweight and flame resistant, to extremely strong and containing electronic sensors.

These developments could lead to future textiles playing a pivotal role in the protection of service men and women, firefighters and the such. Imagine a wounded soldier wearing a uniform made with fabric containing sensors, which detect if they need to be treated compression bandages. Or technology that can steer parachute fabric by changing the permeability.