Informative North Carolina Defense Technology Transition Office (DEFTECH) Coffee Calls focused on Advanced Textiles and Smart Fabrics
During the month of March 2023, Defense DEFTECH held a series of five Friday Coffee Calls on Advanced Textiles and Smart Fabrics. The five coffee call speakers included the following individuals and organizations.
- Laurra C. Winters, Director, Navy Clothing & Textile Research Facility (NCTRF)
- Steve McManus, Innovation Advisor, RTI International and Emil Runge, Director of Programs, First Flight Venture Center
- Dr. Andre West, Director of Zeis Textiles Extension (ZTE), Wilson College of Textiles, NC State University
- Tom Daughtery, Deputy Director, The Nonwovens Institute, NC State University
- Jeff Neuville, Director, Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC), Tony Whitener, Director, Special Projects/Entrepreneur Development (MSC) and Tanya Wade, PPE/Textile Resource Lab Manager (MSC).
Military Needs for Innovation in Textiles and Nonwovens
On March 3, 2023, DEFTECH https://deftech.nc.gov/ (DMCSP partner) conducted a Coffee Call, the first in a series of five calls that concentrated on advanced textiles. The topic of discussion was, “Military Needs for Innovation in Textiles and Nonwovens.” The guest speaker was Laurra C. Winters, Director, Navy Clothing & Textile Research Facility (NCTRF). This topic covered a broad array of soldier kit requirements. Textiles and Nonwovens were the primary focus. Topics discussed included cold and hot weather gear, soldier protection, vector protection, radar and IR scattering, cooling, heating, lighter weight, bandages, anti-microbial, recyclable, embedded sensors, self-powered, etc.
View the replay of the March 3, 2023, Military Needs for Innovation in Textiles and Nonwovens, DEFTECH Coffee Call below.
Innovations in Textiles: Results of a study commissioned by the North Carolina Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (NC DMCSP)
On March 10, 2023, DEFTECH https://deftech.nc.gov/ (DMCSP partner) conducted the weekly Coffee Call. The topic of discussion was “Innovations in Textiles: Results of a study commissioned by the North Carolina Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (NC DMCSP).”
Steve McManus, Technology Commercialization, RTI International Mr. McManus is an experienced technology commercialization professional. Before joining RTI, Mr. McManus held the General Manager position with CS Medical LLC, a medical device manufacturer, where he managed sales, marketing, product development, and operations. Mr. McManus has a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science in Management degree with a concentration in technology commercialization, both from North Carolina State University.
Emil Runge, Director of Programs, First Flight Venture Center Emil leads the First Flight BARDA DRIVE Accelerator focused on national health security, facilitates Propeller Ideation Trainings, manages the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) with Hangar6. He also led the effort to launch Test Flight Pitch Practices to help our companies better prepare themselves to pitch to investors.
View the replay of the March 10, 2023, Innovations in Textiles: Results of a study commissioned by the North Carolina Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (NC DMCSP), DEFTECH Coffee Call below.
Dr andre West’s Current Military Research and The New Flex Factory at Wilson College of Textiles
On March 17, 2023, DEFTECH https://deftech.nc.gov/ (DMCSP partner) conducted the weekly Coffee Call and the third in a series of five coffee calls on advanced textiles. The topic of discussion was “Dr andre West’s Current Military Research and The New Flex Factory at Wilson College of Textiles.”
Dr andre West’s main role is the Director of Zeis Textiles Extension (ZTE). ZTE’s mission is to serve a diverse customer base to advance economic development through collaborative partnerships and outreach, innovative textile and quality improvement education, and comprehensive textile prototyping and testing services.
View the replay of the March 17, 2023, Dr andre West’s Current Military Research and The New Flex Factory at Wilson College of Textiles, DEFTECH Coffee Call below.
The Nonwovens Institute – Collaboration Opportunities
On March 24, 2023, DEFTECH https://deftech.nc.gov/ (DMCSP partner) conducted the weekly Coffee Call. The call, the fourth in a series of five events focusing on advanced textiles presented on the topic of, “The Nonwovens Institute – Collaboration Opportunities.”
The guest speaker at the coffee call was Thomas Daugherty, Deputy Director, The Nonwovens Institute: Tom is an R&D Manager with a proven track record of leading and managing innovation organizations and in delivering innovation for business growth. He came to The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) in 2016 after over 35 years at The Procter & Gamble Company. In addition, he has served on the INDA Nonwovens Association Board of Directors and Executive Committee, the NWI Executive Committee, and the NWI Scientific Advisory Board.
View the replay of the March 24, 2023, The Nonwovens Institute – Collaboration Opportunities, DEFTECH Coffee Call below.
Textile Innovation in North Carolina
On March 31, 2023, DEFTECH https://deftech.nc.gov/ (DMCSP partner) conducted the the last in a series of five coffee calls on advanced textiles. The topic of discussion for the final call was “Textile Innovation in North Carolina” and a tour of the new Manufacturing Solutions Center Building II in Conover, North Carolina.
Guest Speakers included Jeff Neuville, Director, Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC), Tony Whitener, Director, Special Projects/Entrepreneur Development (MSC) and Tanya Wade, PPE/Textile Resource Lab Manager (MSC).
You can view the replay of the March 31, 2023, Textile Innovation in North Carolina, DEFTECH Coffee Call below.
Every Friday, 8 am ET, Grab your Coffee, bring your ideas and join the NC Defense Technology Transition (DEFTECH) Community.
