A new Concordia study suggests that reducing fast fashion's environmental impact can be achieved through changes in manufacturing, transportation, and consumer use. By producing fewer garments, designing them with longevity in mind, and cutting back on air freight, the fashion industry can achieve significant environmental benefits.
North Carolina State University has been chosen to lead a 10-year Department of War initiative to modernize US textile manufacturing for the defense industry. The initiative aims to increase U.S. competitiveness by adopting advanced technologies and techniques.
Researchers have created a new, recyclable yarn that mimics the properties of spandex-based yarns, offering an alternative to non-recyclable stretchy garments. The yarn is made from a form of plastic and can be melted down and reused multiple times without losing its strength and flexibility.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created protein-based materials that can be readily recycled and remade into the same fibers over multiple cycles. These biodegradable fibers, called SAM, are made from genetically engineered microbes and can dissolve in a formic acid solution within seconds.
Researchers at NC State University have identified two key challenges to overcome before fiber batteries can be used in smart clothing. Poor encapsulation methods struggle to keep oxygen and moisture out, while mathematical models fail to accurately predict the effects of different device variables.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have identified three bisphenols with negligible estrogenic effects, suitable for replacing BPA in consumer products. The safe and sustainable alternatives are made from renewable resources and demonstrate thermal stability and mechanical properties comparable to BPA-based plastics.
Researchers from the University of South Australia have developed a lightweight breathable fabric that reflects 96% of the sun's rays, keeping skin temperature 2-3.8 degrees celsius lower than bare skin. The innovative material actively releases warmth while keeping the skin dry.
Researchers demonstrate that bacteria can produce fabric and dye it in every color of the rainbow using a single vat. The approach uses bacterial cellulose as a potential alternative to petroleum-based fibers, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental harm. The developed method yields vibrant colors that survive washing and h...
Researchers from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology have catalogued the science behind Bashofu textiles, which have kept Okinawans cool for over 500 years. The study reveals the unique properties of Musa balbisiana var. liukiuensis fibers, including a honeycomb structure that effectively leads sweat away from the skin.
Researchers at NC State University have developed origami robots that can navigate the body using magnetic 'muscles.' These robots can deliver medicine to ulcers without reducing surface area, enabling a safe and non-invasive procedure. The technique allows for controlled and steady drug release over time.
Researchers propose using epoxidized cottonseed oil as a safer alternative to formaldehyde and PFAS in fabric finishing, making cotton fabrics smoother, water-repellent, and resistant to wrinkling. The process creates strong chemical bonds with cellulose fibers, forming a polymer that makes the fabric hydrophobic.
Scientists have developed high-performance textile fibers from invasive paper-mulberry bark using a simple, scalable route. The coated fibers exhibit excellent tensile strength and antimicrobial properties, outperforming traditional materials like cotton.
Recent advances in textile technology have led to the development of new fabrics that incorporate desirable scents, antimicrobial coatings, and smart technologies. These innovations aim to improve the comfort and functionality of clothing, while also addressing emerging consumer needs such as sustainability and health.
A team of Korean researchers has successfully recreated a golden fiber akin to that of 2,000 years ago using the pen shell cultivated in Korean coastal waters. The breakthrough reveals the scientific basis behind its unchanging golden color and demonstrates the potential of eco-friendly materials.
Researchers introduce a novel design approach for 3D rotary braiding machines, enabling the production of intricate shapes and complex geometries. The new methodology achieves this by varying the number of incisions and combining different cut-circles, resulting in increased carrier capacity and improved mechanical properties.
Researchers at Shinshu University have developed a double-helical fiber sensor design that places both electrodes on one end, addressing the mechanical challenges of traditional wearable sensors. The new design enables durable, flexible sensors suitable for tracking finger gestures, facial expressions, and gait movements.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new method to fabricate stretchable ceramics, glass, and metals using a double-network design. This material can stretch over four times its size without breaking, making it suitable for tear-resistant textiles and flexible semiconductors.
Researchers developed a method to fabricate functional flat-to-shape objects using a computer-controlled sewing machine. The technique allows for the creation of large, portable, and adaptable objects with varying levels of customization, including seating, wearables, and lamps.
Researchers from UT Arlington discovered that many wastewater treatment plants are unable to effectively remove dangerous microplastics, which can transport other pollutants into the environment. This poses potential long-term health impacts for humans, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Researchers from Tsinghua University sent 2D materials and field-effect transistors into orbit aboard China's reusable recoverable satellite, Shijian-19. The materials maintained their structural integrity, exhibiting stable switching characteristics after a 14-day space flight.
Researchers at Waseda University developed a novel self-assembly process to create multilayered films with superior thermal, mechanical, and gas barrier properties. The film exhibits enhanced hardness and self-healing ability compared to conventional materials.
UT Dallas researchers have invented a mandrel-free method for fabricating springlike polymer muscles with high-spring-index yarns. These muscles can significantly contract and elongate due to their large spring index, enabling applications in comfort-adjusting jackets and mechanical energy harvesting.
A team of engineers has created a new hydrogel that rapidly switches between soft and hard states, making it ideal for real-time applications such as impact-resistant wearables or soft robots. The 'instant armor' hydrogel achieves this with a high-entropy design that allows rapid recovery in just 28 seconds.
Researchers at Saarland University and ZeMA are developing smart film actuator technology using thin silicone films that can be precisely controlled to vibrate, flex, or press. These films enable wearable textiles to provide haptic feedback for enhanced VR gaming experiences and industrial gloves to respond to hand gestures.
A team of scientists has successfully developed a novel platform for diabetes treatment utilizing bioink derived from pancreatic tissue and 3D bioprinting technology. The HICA-V platform replicates the structure and function of the human endocrine pancreas, supporting islet maturation and functional enhancement.
A new AI model developed by Tokyo University of Science's researchers predicts dendritic growth in thin films, offering a powerful pathway for optimizing thin-film fabrication. The model analyzes morphology using persistent homology and machine learning with energy analysis, revealing conditions that drive branching behavior.
Engineered platelets-based nano-aircraft carriers enhance targeted chemotherapy with graded drug release, promoting antitumor immune response and reducing metastasis. Researchers successfully develop Pts-based nanovesicles for precise cancer treatment.
The new guide aims to eliminate wasteful designs and promote durable fashion. By focusing on maximising product lifespan and materials, the guidelines enable businesses to implement circular clothing design.
Scientists develop wearable human-computer interface using magnetic field sensing electronic textiles that can be integrated into everyday clothing. The technology allows users to control devices with a wave of their finger, revolutionizing electronic textiles and improving durability.
Researchers at Drexel University have developed a new way to improve textile-based filters by coating them with MXene nanomaterial. The non-woven polyester textile coated with a thin layer of MXene nanomaterial can turn it into a potent filter capable of pulling some of the finest nanoparticles from the air.
The Dielectric Elastomer Sensor (DES) offers real-time pressure and vibration monitoring in soft fluidic actuators, ideal for robotics and biomedical devices. The sensor's flexibility and ability to withstand large deformations make it suitable for applications in automobile designing and structural health monitoring.
Researchers develop a predictive model of knitting using mathematical techniques from general relativity, allowing for the creation of self-folding and shape-morphing textiles. This breakthrough enables fabrics with precise properties and opens doors to new design applications in soft robotics and medical materials.
Researchers created a fiber computer that can be integrated into clothing to track health conditions and physical activity. The technology achieved an average accuracy of 70% when individually operated, but increased to nearly 95% when connected collectively.
Researchers at Rice University create programmable fluidic fuses that protect devices and enable complex sequencing of actions. The study's findings have far-reaching applications in wearable technology and robotics, promising more resilient and capable systems.
A team of researchers developed a smart jacket with environmental sensors, heat-generating yarns, and AI to monitor and regulate temperature. The jacket provides immediate temperature readings and color-changing yarns to indicate potential overheating.
Researchers have developed a 3D printing technique to create liquid crystal elastomers with controllable alignment, leading to new possibilities for shape-morphing materials. By tuning nozzle design, print speed, and temperature, they achieved uniform molecular-scale alignment, translating to prescribed mechanical behavior.
A POSTECH research team developed a novel multidimensional sampling theory to overcome limitations of flat optics. Their study identifies constraints of conventional sampling theories and presents an innovative anti-aliasing strategy, significantly enhancing optical performance.
A recent study by Ritsumeikan University researchers analyzed the durability of flexible perovskite solar cells under damp heat conditions. The findings revealed that high humidity leads to degradation, while a high-quality barrier film retained most power conversion efficiency, making it crucial for long-term stability.
A new process converts polycotton textile waste into glucose, a key bio-based feedstock, and separates polyester fibers for reprocessing. The technique is scalable and cost-effective, offering a viable solution to textile waste recycling.
Researchers have developed a seawater-safe battery that can be woven into various shapes, such as a fishing net or fabric. The yarn-like battery prototype was tested in saltwater and retained most of its charging efficiency and storage capacity over 200 charge and discharge cycles.
A new sustainable theatre cap design has been developed in collaboration with NHS Scotland to address single-use disposable waste. The reusable caps, made from cellulosic fibre, aim to relieve patient anxiety through fabric colours and patterns, while improving staff identification.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed wearable technologies that both generate electricity from human movement and improve comfort. They used amphiphiles to create slippery surfaces on fabrics, reducing friction while allowing electrons to be donated, resulting in a material capable of generating up to 300 volts.
A University of Houston study found that different genotypes of hemp have unique microbial communities that impact CBD production and fiber quality. The research, published in Nature, highlights the potential for microbiome diversity to inform more sustainable farming practices.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a non-toxic coating that can reduce the flammability of cotton using a single step. The technology uses a polyelectrolyte complex coating and has been optimized for scalability and efficiency, making it suitable for industrial applications.
A new study has developed a sustainable approach for fully inkjet-printed, eco-friendly e-textiles that are both biodegradable and durable. The researchers used a textile called Tencel and conductive materials like graphene and PEDOT: PSS to create the fabric.
A research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a technology that visualizes the deformation of 'serpentine' structures in real-time through color changes. This innovation eliminates the need for complex nanofabrication processes, providing actionable design guidelines for optimizing these structures.
Researchers are developing new ways to harvest and adapt energy from everyday home activities, such as turning a doorknob or opening a fridge door. This technology aims to create smart interfaces that can power appliances and assist people with disabilities, increasing energy efficiency and accessibility.
Researchers at Stanford University have designed a comfortable, flexible knit sleeve that simulates realistic touch using pressure-based haptics. The Haptiknit sleeve provides more accurate tactile feedback than vibration-based devices, allowing for smoother navigation, military communication, and rehabilitation.
A Japanese research team investigates the origin of Bi2212's strong optical anisotropy, finding that increasing lead content reduces incommensurate modulation, enabling accurate measurement of optical activity and circular dichroism. This study contributes to understanding high-temperature superconductivity mechanisms.
The NUS research team has developed flexible fibres with self-healing, light-emitting and magnetic properties. The Scalable Hydrogel-clad Ionotronic Nickel-core Electroluminescent (SHINE) fibre offers a more efficient, durable and versatile alternative to existing light-emitting fibres.
Researchers designed a millimeter-scale mechanism inspired by tapeworms to anchor small medical devices to soft tissues. The device, made of stainless steel and polyimide film, can be used in various medical applications and has potential for affixing sensors to marine organisms.
Researchers have developed a new thermal emitter that can achieve subambient daytime radiative cooling on vertical surfaces, breaking the limitations of traditional blackbody radiation. The design strategy enables flexible tuning of thermal emission and has potential impacts on reduced heating and global energy consumption.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a technique using waste carpet fibers to reduce early-age shrinkage cracking in concrete by up to 30%, improving durability. The team aims to address the massive environmental challenge of textile waste disposal, which poses significant concerns for firefighting materials.
Researchers have developed a chalk-based coating that keeps air underneath treated polyester fabric cooler by up to 15 F, providing potential relief for pedestrians and cyclists. The coated fabrics demonstrate effective energy-free cooling in various urban environments.
New research found that bio-based fibres have a range of adverse effects on earthworms, animals critical to environmental health. The study highlights the importance of testing new materials before they are released on the market.
A full textile energy grid can be wirelessly charged, powering wearable sensors, digital circuits, and even temperature control elements. The system uses MXene ink printed on nonwoven cotton textiles, demonstrating its viability for integrated textile-based electronics.
A research group at Chalmers University of Technology has developed a silk thread coated with a conductive plastic material that can generate electricity from temperature differences. The thread shows promising properties for turning textiles into electricity generators, which could be used to monitor health or charge mobile phones.
Researchers at WVU have developed microwave technology to recover propylene from polypropylene waste, which can be reused in new plastics or products. The process uses precise control and lower temperatures than traditional methods, offering energy efficiency and reduced emissions.
Parachute fibers' behavior under stress was studied using micro-CT scans, revealing they are not isotropic and respond differently to increasing loads. The findings inform processes like parachute assembly and improve models for screening parachute materials, making industries more cost-effective and time-efficient.
Next-generation passive radiative cooling technology offers an electricity- and refrigerant-free cooling solution, potentially reducing surface temperature by at least 2°C. The innovation has promising application potential in buildings, roads, and clothing, addressing issues such as urban heat islands and greenhouse gas emissions.