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Shedding Light on Luminous Shoelaces: The Science and Craft of Reflective Textiles

Mon, 27 May 2024 05:21:05 -0700

Under the bustling night sky, where shadows merge with glowing streetlights, the appeal of nocturnal exercise often collides with the stark reality of unseen perils. Due to diminished sight at night, a jogger might become difficult to see by drivers, increasing the risk of accidents. Similarly, children or teenagers joyously walking home from school in the evening, or cyclists riding on poorly lit roads also face significant dangers when they are not easily visible.

Rest assured, however. Reflective clothing and shoelaces have emerged as life-saving innovations in response to these safety concerns. These seemingly simple items can make a world of difference in visibility and safety. But, have you ever wondered how these textiles are made? Let’s take a closer look at the fascinating process behind reflective shoelaces and the science that makes them possible.

The Mechanism Behind Reflective Textiles

Reflective textiles are made using reflective yarns, which are integral in creating the life-saving products we see today. To facilitate light reflection in these reflective composites, it is crucial to incorporate tiny optical-grade glass beads. These beads, known for their high transparency, purity, and reflective properties, are often coated with a thin layer of aluminum. Their inclusion is essential to achieving the desired reflective effect, making the material glow when exposed to a light source, such as car headlights. To further understand the nature of these beads, we must also begin by grasping the properties of the material they are made from: optical-grade glass.

What Is Optical-Grade Glass?

Optical-grade glass is a specially manufactured type of glass known for its high transparency, purity, and hardness. These...Read More

Braiding or Plaiting Features, Processes, and Applications

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 03:10:39 -0700

If you grew up in the playhouse ages before today’s tech-savvy world, you should be quick to recall all your fond memories riding a merry-go-round. The ceramic carriers going up and down consistently, sometimes racing against one another while other times galloping joyfully side by side, forming a harmonious spin. This may seem much of a surprise, but the ropes, cords and shoelaces that we call braiding in general and commonly used today are actually made in this same perfect symphony.

Mechanical Processes of Braiding

　　From as few as three strands, yarn bobbins are placed on a round or polygonal metal plate—think of it as though the turntable on a DJ mixer—driven by multiple horn gears underneath. When the motor system is put to power, these thread carriers start running on their designated track so that each is sprinting but none collides. As the filaments steadily ascend to a higher wheel pulling them altogether, they are then criss-crossed and conjoined creating a cohesive fabric that is flat or tubular in style.

In the end, when inspected closely, the surface of the one-dimensional narrow fabric would look very much like the infinite connections of multiple X marks. When properly fabricated using the right materials, such as DuPont’s Aramid/Kevlar or Nylon 66 fibers, these unimposing minions can suddenly become the Popeye that lifts up a baby elephant. And that is no analogy.

Braiding in History

　　Plaiting before the industrial revolution is nothing so expedient and advanced as it is nowadays. Instead, braiders needed to rely solely on their hands, with almost zero assistance from any craft tool, and slowly intertwin the fibers collected from different natural resources to put in place a reinforced string or strand...Read More

Nanotechnology and the use of nanomaterials in textile fabrics: A case of ZnO nanoparticles

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 20:17:34 -0800

As there is an increasing global demand from fashion as well as sportswear consumers for long-lasting and sustainable practical clothing, nanomaterials have eventually become all-time favorites in the textile industry.

Nanoparticles such as silver, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and silicon dioxide have been used to impart functional attributes to fabrics so as to meet current market demands. Silver nanoparticles, for example, are applied to fabrics to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Ultraviolet protection, stain release, and antifungal activity, are also achieved using titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles.

In this article, I will introduce to you a nanoparticle known as zinc oxide, and how this chemical structure adds paramount value to the clothing market players. Nevertheless, before we jump right into the functional aspects of this particular type of nanomaterial, it is imperative that we have a general understanding of what such innovation pertains to.

**What is Nanotechnology?**

Nanotechnology refers to using nano-sized chemical structures in the creation of materials, devices, or infrastructures to improve or add functional values to their original properties (Tania & Ali, 2021). In other words, any consumer goods or professional services made with the application of nanomaterials can be said as using nanotech.

**What is ZnO Nanoparticle and What are Its Functions?**

Zinc Oxide (aka. ZnO) nanoparticles are white powders in sizes smaller than 100 nanometers used to absorb UV from natural sunlight as well as lamplights, and to reduce bacterial irritations on human skin.

They have also been found to be safe and inexpensive; thus, people across industries, especially the biomedical profession, have used them to develop products meeting the...Read More

Love and Luxury in a Bracelet

Thu, 13 Feb 2020 21:47:41 -0800

During the Valentine’s season, many people must be vexed about what presents to offer their significant other. Some said that a gift reflects the personality of the giver (Wolfinbarger, 1990). Have you ever wondered what bracelets signify? Today, I’ll be sharing with you what bracelets or armlets—often considered the token of love—represent that make them so popular among poets, as well as from which these wrist accessories come.

The Oldest Bracelet in Archaeological History

According to a report in the Archaeology Magazine, the oldest armlet found in history likely has its root from our primordial ancestors, i.e. the Denisovans. It was 2008 when a team of archaeologists discovered in northern Siberia, Russia a marble-made bracelet dating 40,000 years old (Archaeology Magazine, 2015). At the time, this chlorite bangle should have been taken as a remarkably precious jewel which was worn only on special occasions.

Symbolic Meanings of Armlets

As implicated by John Donne in his poem, The Relics, the he “that digs” the “bracelet of hair” points to the pricelessness of a bracelet. Bangles have always been considered a treasure that is buried with the deceased as a way to honor them. That being said, armlets can symbolize more than honor and wealth. People in different points of time may give it other meanings.

Representation of Hand-Jewels in Ancient Egypt

From historical record of ancient Egypt, we learn that only the slaves were not allowed to wear bracelets of any kind; all Egyptians from general class-men...Read More

The Healing Journey of an Unhealthy Attachment Style

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 21:39:47 -0800

Have you given your family and friends some intimate time during this Lunar New Year? Still trapped in a strained relationship waiting to be healed? Still waiting for my advice on how to improve and change your attachment style? Then we shall wait no longer and start on this journey of attachment healing. I will share with you some of the ways that bring about a self-transformational change without visiting a psychiatrist or a therapist.

Here comes the first stop of our journey. Ask yourself the following question:

The reason for asking ourselves this question is that no one could ever activate a change in somebody else unless that person truly seeks one. As the great Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, once said, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime”, the same goes for those helping themselves on this journey. When we grow the mindset of getting well, we are becoming an active participant of the changing process, learning to take personal responsibilities of our lives, and letting go of past mistakes made either by ourselves or others that have blocked our way to happiness. If you feel ready for the change, let us march on this fishing adventure!

Three Game Changers for One’s Attachment Style

I. Scrutinize Traumatic Events and Construct a Coherent Narrative

Oftentimes, one of the major reasons that hinder us from enjoying an intimate relationship lies in the fact that we never took the time to review our scars from the past, such as experiencing rejections in a relationship or the loss of a beloved person. When daily stressors engulf us in every aspect and yet we never pause for a timeout reflecting on each event, we tend...Read More

Daddy & Mommy, Do You Love Me? How Intimate Relationships in Adult Life Reflect Ourselves in Childhood

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 02:43:13 -0800

“Like father, like son.” We sigh after watching yet another news report on domestic violence; or, perhaps, this is one of the most nonchalant comments we could give to our ex- ensuing the unhealthy relationship. Last time, in To Love or Not to Love is a Matter of Parent-Child Attachment Styles, we talked about how two twenty century psychologists—John Bowlby (1907-1990) and Mary Ainsworth (1913-1999)—categorized three attachment styles through observing toddlers’ interaction with their parents while the fourth attachment style was discovered by psychologists after them. Following an introduction on the attachment theory, this article presents a detailed analysis of individuals with the four attachment styles.

All set? Let’s take an objective look at ourselves in intimate relationships through the eyes of these social psychologists!

What are the childhood life and behavioral characteristics of the four attachment styles?

The four different descriptions of attachment styles below can be attributed to Mary Main (1943—), a student of Mary Ainsworth. Main combined Ainsworth’s child attachment theory with adults’ manifestation within intimate relationships. Through a series of Adult Attachment Interview (AAI), she examined the similarities between an adult’s love life and childhood life. Psychologists afterwards then expanded Mary Main’s theoretical model.

　I. Secure Attachment

i. Childhood for the Securely Attached

A child who is raised in a stable and healthy environment will exhibit a secure attachment style and will be able...Read More

To Love or Not to Love is a Matter of Parent-Child Attachment Styles

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 21:40:21 -0800

What type of person are you?

“I can always feel secure about relying on others and having others rely on me. Whatever happens, be it good or bad, I can always openly share these stories with the ones I trust. When entering a relationship, I feel assured that my partner loves me as much as I love him/her even if we fight at times.”
“I long for a very intimate relationship in which I can stick with my partner all the time. I also like to spend most of my time with my friends or significant other, because I like the feeling of having someone around. Sometimes people use different excuses to turn me down which really hurts my feeling and seems to indicate that I am not loved.”
“I am very independent and accomplished nearly everything in life on my own. Although I have my own friends and a partner in an ongoing relationship, I honestly feel pressured when they try to get closer to me, whether emotionally or physically. I feel like an escape would be the best thing to do. I need a lot of personal space, to be honest, and so by the same token, I don’t bother others much. Promises to me are also not something I would consider making.”
“Sometimes I feel like contradicting myself when I try so hard to enter a new relationship and yet backing away when a decision regarding the future of the relationship is brought to the table. Making things worse, I tend to push away those that love me during these crucial moments. I feel like I actually do desire a good and happy relationship, but somehow I am not confident if I could really have one, which is why I kept on searching and escaping.”

The four different I described above originated from...Read More

Here’s How Shoelaces Save You on A Trip

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 00:32:26 -0800

It’s the winter traveling season. Have you made up your mind where to travel to with your family or friends this year yet? Compared with other regions or countries, Taiwan can definitely be considered one of the most tourist-friendly places. So, undoubtedly, you could start traveling around Taiwan as soon as possible once you get your luggage ready. However, if you are planning on a trip abroad, perhaps doing some extra preparatory work before your travel is better. Let’s first look at a security report released by the International SOS for 2020:

World’s Most Tourist-Friendly Regions/Countries^[1]

Denmark
Finland
Greenland
Iceland
Luxembourg
Norway
Slovenia
Svalbard
Switzerland

^[1]Note: This is an assessment made by the International SOS, which is the world’s largest traveling security agency. The list is arranged in alphabetical order which does not indicate any score difference.

World’s Most Dangerous Traveling Regions/Countries^[2]

Afghanistan
Central African Republic
Gaza Strip, Palestine
Iraq
Libya
Republic of Mali
The Republic of Congo
Somalia
South Sudan
Syria
Donetsk, Ukraine
Yemen

^[2] Note: This is an assessment made by the International SOS, which is the world’s largest traveling security agency. The list is arranged in alphabetical order which does not indicate any score...Read More

Made in U.S. and Not from U.S.? Fashion Traceability

Wed, 25 Dec 2019 18:37:01 -0800

Many of you who regularly shop at the local supermarket should have heard about the produce traceability now offered by the entire agricultural supply chain. The produce traceability is an initiative by both the governmental and non-governmental organizations calling for product transparency throughout the farming, harvesting, reprocessing, packaging, and delivering processes. So, produce traceability seems quite well-understood. What about “fashion traceability”? Or, to put it differently, have you ever taken a further step to learn about the origins of your outfits, such as where it was designed, manufactured, processed, packaged, and from where it was delivered to your door?

Pietra Rivoli, an American economist, wrote in 2005 in her book called The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy: An Economist Examines the Markets, Power, and Politics of World Trade, that the ordinary T-shirts we wear must each travel to at least three countries before it reaches our doorstep: the cotton grown from local Texas farmers, followed by a scene of Chinese factory workers, then eventually, the flea market retailers from Tanzania selling the second-hand clothes to domestic buyers (Rivoli, 2005). Thus, Rivoli argues that the value of each attire is far more the worth than its original price tag (Rivoli, 2005).

The curriculum vitae for clothes 10 years back may sound quite complicated at the time, but with the rising tide of globalization, the apparel in the modern era possibly generates a more sophisticated resume than those of the past. Take Nike’s Converse shoes for example. The Taiwanese OEM company manufacturing Nike’s shoes, Feng Tay, may first order a bolt of cloth from a worldly famous textile company, Everest Textile, and some other textile-related materials from China. At the same time, Feng Tay’s procurement...Read More

Perfectly Imperfect Family: Mom and Dad, Let Me Tie the Shoelaces This Time

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 17:30:59 -0800

To you who are now reading this article, whatever is your background, I am certain that you must have plenty of experiences being taken care of by a father, mother, or any primary caregiver as well as spending time with this person. In other words, we are without an exception someone’s child. Some of us may oftentimes be in a relationship full of conflicts while some others may enjoy a satisfying relationship. Yet, why is it that some people get along so well with their caregivers whereas others do not? For those of us who have rarely experienced a happy and healthy parental relationship and yet have become parents ourselves, how should we adopt the changes that will have significant impact on our relationship with our kids?

Today, I will be sharing with you three effective tips to maintain our family relationships in the hope that they bring transformational changes to our families.

Tips for Maintaining a Happy Family

Tip No.1: Active Listening during Conversations

A report released by the University of Delaware (‘Building strong family relationships’, n.d.) notes that active listening requires the listener to set aside all distractions (e.g. smartphones, television, and work) and pay full attention to the speaker. Concurrently, don’t jump to conclusions hastily before the other person finishes what he or she intends to say. That is to say, a healthy way of communication should be focused on the “You” rather than “I”. Think of the times when someone keeps cutting off our lines. Pretty distressing, right? Then, don’t be the one who indulges in the behavior at home!

Tip No.2: Communicating through Positive Languages

It...Read More