The Smithsonian is currently showing an exhibition at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum that showcases some textiles designed for extreme conditions and properties. What is of particular interest (as I am not going to DC until perhaps this winter) is that they have a flash version of the exhibit. To view this version go to their current exhibition listing and click on the Extreme Textiles link. Some of the highlights of the exhibit include Marlow Superline with a breaking strength of 4,416,000 pounds or the Airbeam inflatable bullet resistant arch used by the US Army to quickly create hangers for aircraft maintenance or the Rotor Blisk a rocket engine turbopump made of carbon fiber that is capable of functioning at up to 2,732F.