A touch-sensitive textile device that is configured to detect the occurrence of a touch, the location of a touch, and/or the force of a touch on the touch-sensitive textile device. In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive textile device includes a first set of conductive threads oriented along a first direction, and a second set of conductive threads interwoven with the first set of conductive threads and oriented along a second direction. The device may also include a sensing circuit that is operatively coupled to the first and second set of conductive threads. The sensing circuit may be configured to apply a drive signal to the first and second set of conductive threads. The sensing circuit may also be configured to detect a touch or near touch based on a variation in an electrical measurement using the first or second set of conductive threads.

Some embodiments are directed to a preform including reinforcing fibres and shape memory alloy (SMA) wires, a composite material including a polymer matrix with a preform embedded therein, articles including a composite material, methods of making preforms, composite materials and articles.

Some embodiments are directed to a preform including reinforcing fibres and shape memory alloy (SMA) wires, a composite material including a polymer matrix with a preform embedded therein, articles including a composite material, methods of making preforms, composite materials and articles.

A fabric includes an inner textile layer, an outer textile layer, and a middle textile layer. The inner textile layer includes a plurality of microfiber yarns and a plurality of elastic fiber yarns. The outer textile layer includes a plurality of composite yams. The middle textile layer is between the inner textile layer and the outer textile layer and has a plurality of wave-like polyester fiber yarns. Further, the outer textile layer includes a first weaving region and a second weaving region. The content of the composite yarns in the first weaving region is greater than the content of the composite yarns in the second weaving region.

A fabric includes an inner textile layer, an outer textile layer, and a middle textile layer. The inner textile layer includes a plurality of microfiber yarns and a plurality of elastic fiber yarns. The outer textile layer includes a plurality of composite yams. The middle textile layer is between the inner textile layer and the outer textile layer and has a plurality of wave-like polyester fiber yarns. Further, the outer textile layer includes a first weaving region and a second weaving region. The content of the composite yarns in the first weaving region is greater than the content of the composite yarns in the second weaving region.

An exemplary elongated elevator load bearing member includes a plurality of tension elements that extend along a length of the load bearing member. A plurality of weave fibers transverse to the tension elements are woven with the tension elements such that the weave fibers maintain a desired spacing and alignment of the tension elements relative to each other. The weave fibers at least partially cover the tension elements. The weave fibers are exposed and establish an exterior, traction surface of the load bearing member.

An exemplary elongated elevator load bearing member includes a plurality of tension elements that extend along a length of the load bearing member. A plurality of weave fibers transverse to the tension elements are woven with the tension elements such that the weave fibers maintain a desired spacing and alignment of the tension elements relative to each other. The weave fibers at least partially cover the tension elements. The weave fibers are exposed and establish an exterior, traction surface of the load bearing member.

A multi-layer woven fabric, including an upper woven layer having upper warp yarns and upper weft yarns that are interwoven together to form the upper woven layer. The cover factor of at least one of the layers is selected so as to inhibit penetration by non-ballistic threats.

A multi-layer woven fabric, including an upper woven layer having upper warp yarns and upper weft yarns that are interwoven together to form the upper woven layer. The cover factor of at least one of the layers is selected so as to inhibit penetration by non-ballistic threats.

A tubular woven fabric is useful as a transport hose for a fluid or a powder, as a protective hose for linear bodies such as wires, cables and conduits, as a tubular filter, or as a base material of a vascular prosthesis. The tubular woven fabric includes warp yarns and weft yarns interwoven with each other, the tubular woven fabric having an outer diameter with a variation of within 10% along the warp direction and satisfying the formula:
(L2−L1)/L1≤0.1.