Articles tagged with Textile Engineering
Researchers found significant challenges in spider silk production, including scale-up issues and toxicity concerns. The study highlights potential host organisms for producing spider silk, such as microbes and bacteria, to address these challenges.
A novel method for the selective chemical recycling of PET has been developed, allowing for the recovery of polyester from textile waste. The method uses alcohols and an inexpensive iron trichloride catalyst to yield diethyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol with high selectivity.
Scientists have developed a unique strategy to control molecular conductance using shape-persistent ladder-type molecules. This approach enables the synthesis of diverse, charged molecules with consistent electronic properties, paving the way for reliable and efficient devices.
Researchers have developed a chalk-based coating that cools the air underneath treated fabric by up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The innovative coating uses natural materials and can be applied to nearly any commercially available fabric.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new fabrication technique called solid knitting, which allows machines to knit furniture using yarn. The technology has the potential to produce solid three-dimensional chairs, tables, and other objects, and could revolutionize the way we approach design and manufacturing.
Engineers have shown that air flow through open-cell foam can be used to perform digital computation, analog sensing, and combined digital-analog control in soft textile-based wearable systems. The researchers designed foam-based fluidic resistors to create two-dimensional pneumatic logic circuits embedded in textile-based devices.
A new study by Arizona State University reveals that initial phase sweating can be three times more effective than later phase sweating in terms of evaporation. The researchers developed a wind tunnel-shaped capsule with high-magnification video imagery to capture the dynamics of sweat droplet formation and evaporation on human skin.
Researchers from the University of Chicago developed a new wearable fabric that can help urban residents survive massive heat caused by global climate change. The material kept 2.3 degrees Celsius cooler under Arizona sun tests, outperforming existing broadband emitter fabrics and commercialized silk.
Researchers in Brazil develop semiconductors that efficiently remove toxic substances from real-world textile wastewater using solar energy. The material, inexpensive and easy to produce, has potential applications in industry for wastewater treatment.
A team of scientists at Tokyo University of Science has discovered a novel substituent migration reaction that enables the creation of complex benzofurans. This breakthrough synthesis method uses alkynyl sulfoxide and trifluoroacetic anhydride to produce highly functionalized benzofurans with high yields.
A study by researchers at the University of Leeds found that changes to fibre composition and yarn spinning system significantly reduce microfibre release. Current product specifications do not include these details, making it challenging for brands to make informed choices about garment sustainability.
The researchers developed a process to engineer bacteria to grow sustainable textiles with their own pigment. They created shoe and wallet prototypes using the new material, which has potential for various colors and patterns. The self-dyeing leather alternative could solve environmental problems in the fashion industry.
Scientists at Lund University have successfully developed a method to recycle cotton textiles into viscose fibers, a common component of clothing. The process involves treating old cotton with zinc chloride solution and then dissolving it in sodium hydroxide, producing high-quality viscose fibers.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that yarn-shaped supercapacitors (YSCs) in the 40-60 centimeter range provide the best overall energy output. The study, which aimed to explain changes in YSC performance across a wide range of lengths, used mathematical models to determine the most efficient length for YSCs.
The electrospinning and electrospraying synergism (ESS) technology has the potential to revolutionize various sectors such as bioengineering, textile technology, medical treatment, and energy conversion. By combining these two twin-tech methods, researchers can create complex structures with unique properties.
Researchers at RIKEN successfully spin artificial spider silk that closely matches natural production, mimicking the complex molecular structure of silk. The eco-friendly innovation has potential benefits for environment and biomedical fields.
Researchers propose using waste materials like agricultural residues and old cotton textile waste to produce regenerative textiles. The study evaluates the potential of these waste sources for textile applications, identifying soybean, wheat, rice, sorghum, and sugarcane residues as suitable candidates.
A team of researchers at Shinshu University has successfully extracted mycelial pulp and fibers from fruiting mushroom bodies using sunlight, preserving their intricate mycelial structures. The fibers show excellent formability and potential applications in packaging materials, textiles, and soundproofing.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a single strand of fiber that combines the flexibility of cotton with the electric conductivity of polyaniline. The newly created material showed good potential for wearable e-textiles, including detecting hazardous exposures and tracking human vital signs.
The study shows that PFAS-treated gear repels water but not oil or hydraulic fluid, posing a flammability hazard to firefighters. The research also reveals that PFAS-free gear performs similarly in terms of strength, but loses its oil-repelling properties after aging tests.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have developed a unique woven fabric made entirely from flexible organic crystals, expanding their properties to create a remarkably strong and resistant material. The new fabric has potential applications in flexible electronics and extreme conditions such as low temperatures encountered in space exploration.
A team of international scientists cautions that reliance on mechanical cleanup devices to address plastic pollution is ineffective and may even harm marine life. They argue that reducing plastic production and consumption is the most cost-effective way to prevent further pollution.
A team of UC researchers, led by Ashley Kubley, have received a $2.5 million state grant to continue research on improving firefighter protective gear. The project aims to develop a firefighter jacket liner that brings down body temperature through advanced cooling technology and protects against external hazards.
Researchers developed a self-decontaminating fabric that kills coronaviruses in under 5 seconds using Joule heating. The material can handle hundreds of uses with minimal waste, transforming the way personal protective equipment is made and used.
Researchers at Rice University developed wearable textile-based devices that utilize fluidic control to provide sophisticated haptic cues. The system enables users to navigate through real-world environments using tactile feedback, potentially enhancing visual and auditory inputs for those with impairments.
Research has clarified how starch granules form in wheat seeds, unlocking diverse potential benefits for various industries. The discovery of the enzyme PHS1 crucial for B-type granule initiation offers opportunities to create variations in starch for different food and industrial applications.
A team of researchers has created a simple and versatile fabrication approach for writing custom light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or photodetectors using handheld ballpoint pens. The new technology builds on earlier work, allowing individuals to create stretchable LEDs without specialized training or equipment.
A £1.75m project led by Professor Chenyu Du aims to develop new processes for recovering polyester and cellulose from mixed cotton and polyester fibres. The goal is to create a roadmap towards net-zero for the textiles industry, reducing plastic waste and increasing recycling rates.
Researchers create a composite called 'mycocrete' that combines the root network of fungi with a knitted textile framework to produce lightweight, eco-friendly construction materials. The mycocrete samples proved to be stronger than conventional mycelium composites and outperformed them in terms of shape and form.
Researchers at NUS create a novel spinning process to produce strong, stretchable, and electrically conductive soft fibres at room temperature and pressure. The method combines biomimicry with gel solution formulation to overcome conventional challenges.
Scientists have invented a smart textile that can sense and measure body movements using nanomagnets. The device is self-powered, stretchy, durable, waterproof, and can be made with a sewing machine for under $3. It converts muscle activities into quantifiable electrical signals sent wirelessly to phone apps.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a novel method for creating CO2 capture filters using 3D printing. The filters, made from a hydrogel material infused with the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, captured 24% of CO2 in a gas mixture and retained 52% of its performance after over 1,000 hours. This technology has potential applic...
Researchers designed and tested textile fibers that can change shape and generate force like a muscle, showing promise for use as cell scaffolds. The findings suggest the fibers could be used to develop 3D models of living, moving systems in the human body.
A new method allows researchers to break down old clothing chemically and reuse polyester compounds to create functional coatings. The process, known as controlled crystallization, enables the creation of fire-resistant, anti-bacterial or wrinkle-free coatings that can be applied to various fabrics.
Researchers have developed a simple metallic coating treatment for clothing that can repair itself, repel bacteria, and monitor electrocardiogram heart signals. The conductive circuits created by liquid metal particles transform wearable electronics, opening doors for human-machine interfaces, soft robotics, and health monitoring systems.
A team of researchers at North Carolina State University has created a zinc-ion battery prototype with a fiber-shaped cathode, which can power a wrist watch. The team used graphene oxide and manganese dioxide materials to create a yarn-shaped battery that is strong, flexible, and electrically conductive.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new method for making smart fabrics that is cheaper and more sustainable. They achieved this by weaving electronic components into conventional textiles using industrial looms, breaking away from traditional specialized microelectronic fabrication facilities.
Scientists have created a method to produce synthetic spider silk with eightfold higher yields than previous methods, making it a promising material for sustainable clothing production. The new silk fibers retain the desirable properties of enhanced strength and toughness while being lightweight.
Engineers at UMass Amherst invent bilayered fabric that traps warmth like polar bear fur, keeping wearer comfortable in cold temperatures. The fabric is also lightweight and efficient, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional insulation.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that adaptive clothing customers face challenges with website usability, limited design and functionality, and sizing issues. The study provides guidelines for retailers to design products that cater to people with disabilities, promoting confidence and workplace wearability.
North Carolina State University researchers have found a way to separate blended cotton and polyester fabric using enzymes, which could lead to more efficient recycling of the fabric's component materials. The process requires multiple steps, but can effectively separate cotton from polyester in under 48 hours.
Researchers developed an in situ technique to observe material behavior under various stresses, including shear stress. This allows for precise understanding of how materials respond and identify preferred slip planes.
Researchers at Aalto University have developed new textiles that change shape when heated, providing adjustable aesthetics and potential applications in health monitoring and thermal insulation. The innovative fabrics use liquid crystalline elastomers, which can respond to heat, light, or other stimuli.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed flexible polymer-based actuatable fibers with integrated shape-memory alloy wires and biochemical sensing composite materials. The technology enables high-precision operations, closed-loop control, and diagnostic capabilities for soft robotic fields and minimally invasive surgical tools.
A new antimicrobial suture material has been developed to reduce infection rates and improve post-operative monitoring. The material, which combines iodine and nanoparticles, can be used for internal stitches and mesh implants, providing a promising alternative to existing products.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a highly efficient sodium-ion battery anode using quinacridones, exhibiting high rate capability and excellent cycle stability. The new material is cost-effective and sustainable, offering a promising alternative to traditional graphite anodes.
Researchers have developed self-sufficient, three-dimensionally deforming material systems with integrated actuators and sensors. These systems improve robustness and enable customisation of complex patterns at desired locations.
Researchers developed a fabric with nano-scale threads containing phase-change materials to regulate body temperature. The textile combines electrothermal and photothermal coatings for enhanced thermal regulation. It has the potential to alleviate heat or cold stress in workers and travelers, offering improved comfort and safety.
Researchers at Columbia Engineering created a compostable bioleather with superior flame-retardance and low environmental impact. The microbial nanocellulose (MC) bioleather has a significantly smaller carbon footprint than synthetic leather or cotton, making it an attractive alternative to traditional leather.
UC Riverside engineers develop low-cost robotic clothing to help children with cerebral palsy. The soft machine garments contain sealed regions that inflate to provide force for movement, enabling natural limb functioning.
Researchers create textile-based pneumatic computers capable of digital logic, onboard memory, and user interaction. The technology aims to assist people with functional limitations in daily tasks without electricity.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a pneumatic robotic arm powered by compressed air that can grasp objects and go, using textile-based energy harvesting system. The device is designed for individuals with disabilities and can produce equivalent of 3 watts of power, outperforming other energy harvesting strategies.
Researchers at Stockholm University have developed a novel value chain to produce textile fibers and biofuel from fast-growing poplars. This sustainable approach enables the conversion of marginal land from cotton to food production, minimizing water consumption and supporting global food security.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a synthetic polymer that can remove certain dyes from water, and the polymer can be recovered and reused. The study found that the polymer's ability to remove dyes was dependent on solution pH and topological polar surface area of the dyes.
Researchers developed a new printing technique that applies a 19th-century color photography method to modern holographic materials, producing large-scale images on elastic materials with structural color. The team's results enable the creation of pressure-monitoring bandages, shade-shifting fabrics, or touch-sensing robots.
Researchers developed smart textiles that sense wearer's posture and motions using a novel fabrication process called thermoforming, which improves pressure sensor precision. The technology has potential applications in healthcare and rehabilitation, such as tracking gait or monitoring pressure on diabetic patients' feet.
Researchers at North Carolina State University designed new fire shelter prototypes to protect firefighters trapped in wildfires. The shelters showed improved thermal performance and longer survival times compared to the current industry standard, with temperatures remaining within survival limits for up to 60 seconds.
Daniel Preston, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Rice University, has won the National Science Foundation CAREER Award for his proposal on textile-based wearable robots. The grant aims to develop a platform for non-electronic computation that can be integrated directly into wearable robots, addressing problems with s...
A team of researchers, led by L. Mahadevan, developed a mathematical model to understand the mechanics of combing and detangling. They found that using short strokes starting from the free end can effectively remove tangles, with an optimal minimum length for each stroke identified.
Researchers have developed biobased materials derived from fungi that can produce sustainable faux leather, paper products, and cotton substitutes. These materials have properties comparable to traditional materials, with the added benefit of being 100% biobased and taking less time to produce.