Bringing together practitioners, technologists,
developers, academia, industry partners and
the military to build and demonstrate product
prototypes that incorporating wearable
technologies to enhance operator performance
in austere environments.

Founded as a partnership between MIT Lincoln Laboratory, the
U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, and the Advanced Functional Fabrics of
America (AFFOA), the DFDC houses a state-of-the-art end-toend
prototyping facility with capabilities spanning functional fiber
and fabric design, fiber device drawing, textile production, and
system integration.

Does your company manufacture or purchase e-textiles materials for use in your products? If so, you will want to attend a free IPC webinar on a new standard being developed by the IPC E-Textiles Materials Subcommittee.

Textiles studio Elizabeth Whelan Design took home the Launch of the Year trophy at last night’s Future Textiles Awards 2017, hosted at The Westin Grand Frankfurt, Germany. Kunal Mankodiya, of the University of Rhode Island, was named Innovator of the Year, and the team from Inuheat Group AB was successful in two separate categories.

Philadelphia University and its regional partners in the federal Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) initiative are poised to make big moves in smart fabrics, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported May 11.

Rob DeMartini

Rob joined USA Cycling in February 2019, bringing with him extensive knowledge and experience from a diverse background as well as strong business-building experience across various industries. A passionate athlete and cycling enthusiast, Rob was drawn to the opportunity to lead USA Cycling after recognizing the potential for the organization to take on a larger leadership role in the cycling industry.

Rob went to USA Cycling after spending 12 years as President and CEO of New Balance where under his leadership, New Balance doubled its global annual sales to reach $4.2B and achieved one of the highest growth rates in the athletic footwear and apparel industry. Prior to joining New Balance, his career at Procter & Gamble spanned 20 years, beginning in their Food & Beverage Division and including management roles with the Gillette Company, North American Snacks, and Millstone Coffee.

Rob is the past Chairman of The American Apparel & Footwear Association and is a current board member of The Advanced Functional Fabrics of America, a nonprofit spinoff from MIT, focused on accelerating innovation in the apparel industry. He is also a board member of Welch Foods, a Farmer Owned Cooperative and Aloha Foods.

Rob earned his B.S. in Finance from San Diego State University. He resides with his Wife in Park City, Utah.

US. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter will visit the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Friday to announce that Massachusetts will be the center of a new $317 million public-private research partnership related to textile manufacturing. “This manufacturing innovation institute will be the national leader in developing and commercializing textiles with extraordinary properties,” Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement.

Steve Rendle

Steve Rendle is President & Chief Operating Officer at VF Corporation, a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories. VF had 2015 revenues of $12.4 billion and is owner of iconic brands, including The North Face^®, Vans^®, Timberland^®, Wrangler^® and Lee^®.

Rendle has more than 30 years of experience in the specialty outdoor and action sports industry, including 17 years at VF where his successful, value-creating career has been comprised of executive-level positions at both the brand and corporate levels. He is a member of VF’s Board of Directors, and its Operating and Executive Committees.

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Michael Spillane

Michael Spillane leads NIKE’s product engines and merchandising as President, Product & Merchandising. Spillane is responsible for developing the strategy that drives the creation of all NIKE footwear, apparel and equipment, and he leads the merchandising of all product to the global marketplace. Since he joined NIKE in 2007, Spillane has held leadership positions with Converse, Umbro, Greater China, and, most recently, Global Footwear. With extensive experience in marketing consumer products, Spillane previously held senior management roles at leading apparel and textile companies, including Malden Mills, Tommy Hilfiger USA, Jockey International, and Missbrenner, Inc.  Spillane serves on the board of directors at The Boston Beer Co., and Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA).

Ray Stata

Ray Stata was a cofounder of Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) in 1965 and served as CEO and Chairman until 1996. He now serves as Chairman of the Board. With sales of $3.4B, ADI is recognized for leadership in the design and manufacture of analog and digital signal processing semiconductors. Mr. Stata has been active as an investor in and board member of more than 40 early stage technology based new ventures.

Mr. Stata, class of ’57, holds a BSEE and MSEE from MIT. Until 2010 he served for many years as Chairman of the Visiting Committee of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and as a member of MIT’s Executive Committee and the MIT Corporation. He also served on the visiting committees for Sponsored Research and for Linguistics and Philosophy. He is presently a member of the Dean of Engineering Advisory Council. He is also engaged in MIT’s Venture Mentoring Service which advises students and faculty who wish to become entrepreneurs.