Begin design research initiative at Drexel University.

November

Shima Seiki Haute Tech Lab (SSHTL) is established at ExCITe Center with $1.2M donation from Shima Seiki USA.

October

Coulter funds Phase II: Maternity Smart Fabric Bellyband.

June

Dr. Shima receives honorary doctorate from Drexel University.

August

Bellyband team leverage Coulter investment for NSF funding for Wearable Smart Textiles.

December

Initial work begins on knitted Capacitive Touch Sensor as part of academic research.

May

Drexel University participates in Manufacturing USA proposal call.

April

Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) announcement in Cambridge, MA with PA Governor Tom Wolf, Senator Ed Markey, and Mass. Governor Charlie Baker.

Spring

Commonwealth of PA awards equipment grant for Pennsylvania Fabric Discovery Center (PA FDC).

September

Drexel funds new location for PA FDC at Schuylkill Yards.

September

Grand Opening of PA FDC.

Drexel embarks on cross-MII collaborative projects with funding via NextFlex and AFFOA, with US Army DEVCOM.

March

Capacitive Touch Sensor included as part of curriculum in Drexel CCI undergraduate class.

June

Development of alpha phase of UI for virtual textile modeling.