A fabric is provided having a defined pattern of hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions that extend entirely through the thickness of the fabric so that the defined pattern is identical on the inner and outer surfaces of the fabric. The defined pattern is configured so that the hydrophilic regions are all in communication or interconnected so that moisture, such as perspiration, can wick not only from the inner to the outer surface of the fabric but also throughout the surface of the fabric and in several directions on the fabric so that the surface area of the wetted hydrophilic regions increases. The defined pattern may be further configured so that none of the hydrophobic regions are in communication.

A ventilation insert for textiles, with at least one layer, covered at least partially by an absorption material and having ventilation openings, the openings being at least partially closeable via a liquid by swelling of the absorption material, obtainable by: a) treating a layer having ventilation openings with a mixture, containing a wetting agent, initiator, polymerizable monomer or oligomers, and a cross-linking agent, as a preliminary stage for the absorption material; and b) polymerizing the monomer or oligomer to form the absorption material while forming a bonded connection between the absorption material and the layer. The ventilation insert has a relatively low thickness, a low weight per unit area, and high flexibility permanently and independently of moisture after economical production, via one layer, self-sealingly closing ventilation openings, and containing the absorption material. The absorption material is connected to the layer by bonding, at least in some regions.

Fabrics made for apparel, tents, sleeping bags and the like, in various composites, constructed such that a combination of substrate layers and insulation layers is configured to provide improved thermal insulation. The fabric composites are constructed to form a radiant barrier against heat loss via radiation and via conduction from a body.

A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.

A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.

Knit fabrics and military apparel such as T-shirts made therefrom are disclosed. The fabrics are constructed from blended yarns made from an intimate combination of nylon and cotton staple fibers. Such fabrics comprise a weight ratio of cotton to nylon which ranges from about 55:45 to about 85:15, and these fabrics also have a weight ranging from about 3 to about 8 oz/yd.sup.2. Knit fabrics of this type possess a desirable combination of good thermal protective properties, provided the specified high level of staple fiber blend uniformity is achieved, along with very useful abrasion resistance, bursting strength and drying time characteristics.

A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.

A fabric with moisture management properties has a pattern of hydrophobic areas comprising at least one hydrophobic agent provided at least on the first side of the fabric and at least one hydrophilic agent which is provided in a pattern on at least some regions of said first side of the fabric, whereby said first side has a pattern of hydrophobic areas and a pattern of hydrophilic areas to transfer the moisture from the first side to the second side.

A fabric is provided having a defined pattern of hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions that extend entirely through the thickness of the fabric so that the defined pattern is identical on the inner and outer surfaces of the fabric. The defined pattern is configured so that the hydrophilic regions are all in communication or interconnected so that moisture, such as perspiration, can wick not only from the inner to the outer surface of the fabric but also throughout the surface of the fabric and in several directions on the fabric so that the surface area of the wetted hydrophilic regions increases. The defined pattern may be further configured so that none of the hydrophobic regions are in communication.

Compositions and blends of biopolymers and bio-acceptable polymers are described, along with the use of benign solvent systems to prepare biocompatible scaffolds and surgically implantable devices for use in supporting and facilitating the repair of soft tissue injuries.