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<ul><li>The lightweight flexible <keyword id="6407740" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="fabric">fabric</keyword> has been 3D-printed from nylon plastic polymers.</li><li>It stiffens up when put inside a vacuum-packed plastic envelope.</li><li>The fabric could be used for making protective gear, exoskeletons and even erect temporary bridges.</li></ul><keyword id="6367929" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="scientists">Scientists</keyword> from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have developed a flexible fabric that looks like a normal cloth but can transform into a hard material. This is a new ‘chain mail’ fabric that can actually stiffen on demand — something similar to Batman’s bulletproof cape.<br /><br />It’s a lightweight fabric in nature, and it has been 3D-printed from nylon plastic polymers. It is also made up of hollow eight-sided triangular shapes that interlock with each other. The chainmail fabric can also be made from 3D printed aluminium that can be even be used to withstand an even stronger impact.<br /><br />  <div type="image" title="fabric 3" msid="85267779" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;When the fabric is put inside a vacuum-packed plastic envelope, it stiffens up to reach its rigid state. &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br />This fabric has the capability of toughening up on demand making it 25 times more rigid and holding up over 50 times than its own weight. NTU demonstrated holding the fabric in its natural state where it’s flexible and lightweight. When the fabric is put inside a vacuum-packed plastic envelope, it stiffens up to reach its rigid state. The NTU and Caltech scientists compare this fabric to that of Batman’s cape which is flexible but it can be used as a glider when required.<br /><br /><strong>Possible use cases<br /></strong><br />There can be multiple use cases for this chainmail fabric. Some of the possible use cases could be to make protective exoskeletons and protective gear for athletes. It could also be used as lightweight armour-like bulletproof vests to help protect against an impact. More use cases include using the fabric to create equipment that will help the elderly stand and carry heavy loads. In the future, it could even be used to erect temporary bridges in the future. The team plans to explore more methods of stiffening the fabric such as through magnetism, electricity or temperature. <br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO:</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/researchers-found-that-plastic-pollutants-in-the-ocean-may-be-exciting-hermit-crabs-which-could-lead-to-disrupted-marine-food-webs/articleshow/85259554.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Researchers found that plastic pollutants in the ocean may be 'exciting' hermit crabs, which could lead to disrupted marine food webs</a><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/meet-beachbot-a-beach-rover-that-uses-ai-to-remove-cigarette-butts-from-beaches/articleshow/84759758.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Meet BeachBot, a beach rover that uses AI to remove cigarette butts from beaches</a><br />

Scientists discover a flexible fabric that can be used to make a real-life superhero suit

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Levis/photos_stream">Levi's Facebook</a></span></p><p class="caption">Levi's revamped style is fighting to stay competitive in the world of athlleisure.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Denim companies are struggling in the world of athleisure.</p><p><span>Teens are now buying more gear from Nike and Lululemon over denim classics from brands like Abercrombie, according to a recent </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-teens-are-spending-money-2014-4">Piper Jaffray survey</a><span> on teen spending.</span></p><p><span>While Levi's might be threatened by the athleisure trend, chief product officer <span>Karyn Hillman is aggressively fighting to adapt, according to <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/3051648/how-i-get-it-done/how-levis-is-fighting-athleisure-by-reinventing-denim">Fast Company</a>.</span></span></p><p><span><span>And Levi's is long overdue for a change.</span></span></p><p>Two decades ago, Levi's was bigger than Nike, with revenue exceeding $7 billion. Sales have since sagged to $4.8 billion, while Nike is at closer to $30 billion, according to <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2015-levi-strauss-confronts-the-yoga-pant/">Bloomberg</a>.</p><p>After observing consumers, Hillman recently revamped Levi's style by getting creative with new fabric innovations and developing an appealing ad campaign staring <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSi0fJq0wKI">Alicia Keys</a>. </p><p>The newest Levi product series - Lot 700 - is made of stretch denim that is designed to "flatter, hold and lift"- according to its ads. Adding comfort to jeans is what Hillman is going for. </p><p><span>"Comfort and feeling good are what wearers expect now," Hillman told <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/3051648/how-i-get-it-done/how-levis-is-fighting-athleisure-by-reinventing-denim">Fast Company</a>. </span></p><p>One noticeable change to the appearance of Levi's is the stitching, which is now more subtle. Previous jeans by Levi's had a thick stiching that is now outdated.</p><p><span><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Levis/photos_stream">Levi's Facebook</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div>Skinny, straight leg and slim-cut jean styles are fashionable right now, and Levi's is focusing on the trends.</span></span></p><p><span><span>Levi's has released has looked into using comfortable fibers like Dyneema in its jeans. The brand also released a line of jeans with flexile coatings. </span></span></p><p><span><span>The brand is also advertising the Commuter Jeans, writing on its Facebook page that the pants are built for "mobility, comfort, and durability." </span></span></p><p><span>The rate of growth in athletic apparel is soaring, even as American participation in sports declines, according to <a href="http://online.wsj.com/articles/yoga-poseurs-athletic-apparel-moves-out-of-the-gym-to-every-day-1408561182">The Wall Street Journal</a>. </span></p><p>Barclays estimates that the market will increase 50% to more than $100 billion by 2020. </p><p><span><span>Meanwhile, denim sales fell 6% last year, according to NPD Group. </span></span></p><p><span><span>The new athleisure trend is the latest chapter in Levi's identity crisis. </span></span></p><p><span>Levi Strauss reached its peak in the 1980s, but has struggled to reach that level of ubiquity sense. </span></p><p><span>Another trend challenging the brand is men favoring tailored pants over denim, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/levi-strauss-the-boss-and-the-yogi-2014-7">The Economist wrote</a> in July. </span></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/comparing-yoga-pants-lululemon-reebok-athleta-2015-10">How $98 Lululemon yoga pants compare to cheaper alternatives</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="x1eTF4cjoY98qWO9MvnIECcQ6eOAET1k" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

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Scientists discover a flexible fabric that can be used to make a real-life superhero suit

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How Levi's plans to survive the denim apocalypse

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