Advanced_Functional_Fabrics_of_America
Advanced Functional Fabrics of America
A public-private partnership led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) is a public-private partnership led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The partnership was created as a component of the Manufacturing USA research network in April 2016 (then known as the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation), and received $75 million in 2016 from United States Department of Defense as Revolutionary Fibers and Textiles Manufacturing Innovation Hub to study smart fabric for warfighters.[1][2] The members are 32 universities, 16 industry members, 72 manufacturing entities, and 26 startup incubators.[3][4] Corporate members include American apparel companies Nike and New Balance, and medical device manufacturer Medtronic.[5]
The AFFOA is expected to conduct research in Internet of Things and wearable computing.[6] The U.S. Army Research Laboratory is supplying body armor and sensor expertise to the program.[7]