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Materials Matter 2016

VIEW Proposals
Proposal creation

CoLab members create proposals

Jan 15, 2016 08:00 EST - May 23, 2016 08:00 EDT
Semi-Finalist selection
Expert judges select semi-finalists

May 23, 2016 08:00 EDT - Jun 10, 2016 02:00 EDT
Proposal revisions
Semi-finalists can improve their proposals

Jun 10, 2016 02:00 EDT - Jun 19, 2016 11:00 EDT
Finalist selection
Expert judges select finalists

Jun 19, 2016 11:00 EDT - Jul 5, 2016 12:00 EDT
Voting period
Public Voting Period

Jul 5, 2016 12:00 EDT - Aug 1, 2016 12:00 EDT
Completed
Winners are awarded

Aug 1, 2016 12:00 EDT
Fabrics and textiles impact our climate -- a lot. How can we spark a materials revolution by rethinking how we value and use them?

The materials we use to clothe ourselves and cover our things have a profound impact on the climate.  They are all around us – in the furniture we sit on, the cars we drive and the clothes we wear. The fact is, materials matter.  According to research compiled by MIT Materials System Lab, approximately 25 billion kilograms of cotton was produced worldwide in 2013, resulting in the same annual GHG emissions as 51.3 million passenger vehicles.  Enough leather is produced annually to cover the state of Maryland (double the size of the greater London area). Polyester production for use in textiles this year alone is estimated to generate as much greenhouse gas emissions as the annual emissions of 185 coal fired power plants. That’s a material issue. 

Developing new material compositions and reducing the impact of fabric production is necessary, but not sufficient to reduce the climate impact of industries that rely on fabrics. Before we can advance and scale innovation in materials, we need to build an understanding of the challenges and opportunities that exist. We need to redefine society's relationship with fabrics and textiles. This contest seeks novel and well thought-out ideas on how to engage industries, designers, product creators and the public in valuing, demanding and adopting lower impact materials. See our launch video here

What:
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Who:
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38 Proposals
Jun 19, 2016
Team only
A Dynamic Label System for Informed and Sustainable, Clothing Purchases.
Jun 19, 2016
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Jun 19, 2016
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Impact Fashion Week (IFW) encourages youth & college designers to set a new paradigm for interdisciplinary design & solutionary change.
Jun 19, 2016
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Jun 19, 2016
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Linear (waste-making) economics is the global norm. If we're serious about change in any sector, we must change the economics.
Jun 19, 2016
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Jun 19, 2016
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Jun 19, 2016
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Jun 17, 2016
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Our model for closed loop textiles to reduces the impact of the apparel industry and brings new opportunities to emerging markets
Jun 15, 2016
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May 24, 2016
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An online sustainable materials database and networking platform working towards creating a new era in industry with a Zero emission mission
May 23, 2016
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Utilize wind-energy to power cotton yarn-spinning-knitting technology near fiber origin regions like North Texas to reduce negative impact.
May 23, 2016
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The smart shoe captures energy from movements and lets the wearer use it when accessibility to an outlet is out of the question.
May 23, 2016
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Making sustainability achievable on a global scale by making it experiential on a human scale.
May 23, 2016
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Why reinvent the wheel? Nature has engineered remarkable materials that support modern living. Enter Poly6, enter citrus-based materials.
May 23, 2016
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Leveraging Nike's innovative and sustainable business model to transform global society, and unleash rhapsodic human potential.
May 23, 2016
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Incorporate a lock and load method for uppers and soles, enabling customers to build their shoes and maintain its quality and aesthetic.
May 22, 2016
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Create a mall kiosk where customers can step into a booth for measurements, select a fashion, and print out clothing.
May 22, 2016
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Imperative ways to reduce the carbon footprint of washing clothes and practical solutions involving masses are discussed in this proposal.
May 20, 2016
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Hyperloops for Humanity, the Environment, and Profits: A Mediterranean Marine Hyperloop/Refugee/Environmental Collaborative Proposal
May 20, 2016
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The existential need for a comprehensive global scale carbon negative infrastructure and consumer materials revolution is supported below.
May 18, 2016
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An interactive awareness campaign & business model to reduce Green house emisisons and encourage people to adopt low carbon impact products.
May 12, 2016
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Augmented reality tags for Nike products, scan it to educate users about the climate change concern and complete a quiz to earn discount.
May 5, 2016
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Noble material, linen is an all natural fibre that requires no chemicals for growth or for its transformation.
Apr 28, 2016
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The strong threads made from jute fibre are used worldwide in sackcloth - and help sustain the livelihoods of millions of small farmers.
Apr 28, 2016
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Apr 23, 2016
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Easy to grow without agrochemicals, hemp is used increasingly in agrotextiles, car panels and fibreboard, and "cottonized" for clothing.
Apr 13, 2016
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HAND SPUN HAND WOVEN DESIGNER WEAR AKIN TO SKIN AND AS AN INDUSTRY TO OPEN BIGGEST EMPLOYMENT AVENUES IS THE FUTURE TOWARDS FULFILLMENT
Apr 7, 2016
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CarbonNeutralCheckout™ is designed by CCC to assist organizations in reducing the carbon footprint of the products and services they sell.
Mar 11, 2016
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Utilize relationships with industry inflencers to build a social network enabling painless and economical access to alternative materials.
Jan 29, 2016
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The proposal envisage utilization of water hyacinth for textile organic fibre sythesis and its utilization in the treatment of dye effluent.
Jan 19, 2016
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Reign & Co. is built on a holistic sustainable design process, where products and services are created within a closed-loop system.
Jan 14, 2016
Anyone
Bambooforev=conomicgroth
Jan 10, 2016
Team only
Dec 17, 2015
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Creating one product completely without composites will dramatically reduce the recycling cost of current multi-material products.
Dec 8, 2015
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We make microbes that convert post-consumer polyester back into their raw materials. Same raw materials can be used to make new polyester.
Nov 2, 2015
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To reduce heat/ and cold, inflammation and recovery time. Controlling power usage at home and maintaining an overall sense of well being
Oct 28, 2015
Team only
Use pressure and heat at deep ocean floor to transform algae biomass into hydrocarbon-based fabrics at industrial scale.