Articles tagged with Textile Engineering
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.
Researchers at Duke University developed a lightweight material that traps thermal energy when dry but opens tiny vents to let heat escape when a person starts sweating. The material has potential as a patch on clothing to help keep the wearer comfortable, expanding thermal comfort zones by 30%.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine developed a new 'body area network' fabric that enables battery-free communication between clothing and nearby devices. This innovation allows wearers to digitally interact with electronic devices and make secure payments using a simple high-five or handshake.
A textile-based implant containing cartilage derived from stem cells reduced pain and restored hip joint function to baseline levels in a study of dogs with moderate osteoarthritis. The implant successfully integrated into the hip joints, effectively resurfacing them and allowing the dogs to regain activity levels.
Researchers at EMPA created a flame retardant cotton textile that retains the natural properties of cotton fibers while providing fireproof and antimicrobial functionalities. The fabric does not contain carcinogenic formaldehyde and can absorb water, maintaining a favorable microclimate on the skin.
A new indigo dyeing technology reduces water usage by up to 90% and eliminates toxic chemicals, securing over 90% color retention with only one coat. The process also streamlines the industry, saving time and energy for workers.
NTU scientists create soft and stretchable battery powered by human perspiration, suitable for wearable devices. The battery generates electricity in the presence of sweat, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional batteries.
A study at Shinshu University investigates the effectiveness of 3D garment simulations by comparing virtual and actual pants. Researchers developed criteria for evaluating similarities and differences between virtual and real garments using geometrical features and sensory evaluation.
The modular mask combines barrier filtration with stretchable fabric, holding it in place without frequent adjustments. Prototypes have withstood 20 washings without shrinking or losing shape, addressing the fundamental flaw in existing reusable cloth masks.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a biocompatible material with reversible shape memory. The material, made from recycled keratin protein, can be 3D-printed into any shape and change its structure in response to moisture.
Research by the University of Notre Dame found high concentrations of fluorine on firefighter PPE, including moisture barrier and outer shell. PFAS can contaminate thermal layer and skin, posing occupational health risk to firefighters.
A new technique for developing light-emitting fabrics has been developed by coating ultrasheer pantyhose with a thin layer of gold. The result is a soft, stretchable, and washable fabric that can be used to create wearable luminous clothing, while overcoming some of the limitations of existing light-emitting fabrics.
A new device uses acoustic focusing to gather microplastics in water, promising a practical solution to the pollution problem. The device collects particles of different sizes and types with high efficiency, showing promise for future improvements.
Researchers at Drexel University developed a highly conductive, durable yarn by coating standard cellulose-based yarns with MXene. The team's conductive yarn packs more material into fibers and can be knitted using industrial knitting machines.
A team of scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has developed an eco-friendly production platform for a blue pigment called indigoidine. The engineered fungus, Rhodosporidium toruloides, produces the pigment with a high yield, using sustainable carbon sources and reducing toxic chemicals.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have created a low-cost, washable sensor that can monitor human movement and detect deformations in composite materials. The sensor uses piezo-resistivity technology and has shown great promise for health-monitoring applications and the composites manufacturing industry.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed wearable electronic components that can be directly incorporated into fabrics, enabling flexible circuits, healthcare monitoring, and energy conversion. The devices are based on low-cost, sustainable, and scalable dyeing of polyester fabric using graphene inks.
North Carolina State University researchers created fibers that combine rubber's elasticity with metal's strength, resulting in a tougher material. The fibers can stretch up to seven times their original length before failure while absorbing energy, making them suitable for applications like soft robotics and textiles.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has developed an AI-powered system called WiseEye that can detect fabric defects with high accuracy, minimizing the chance of producing substandard fabric. The system is installed on weaving machines to automatically inspect fabrics and reduce labor costs, enhancing production efficiency.
The textile industry is exploring alternative coloring methods that minimize environmental impact, with companies developing dyes that require less water and energy. Innovative approaches like inkjet printing and microbial fermentation are being tested to create more sustainable fashion.
Textile composites' strength and durability can be compromised by a simple wrinkle in the manufacturing process. Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed a custom-made fixture to iron out this issue, improving their effectiveness by pulling materials in two directions simultaneously.
A new technique developed by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has improved the properties of plant-derived biodegradable plastic, allowing for large-scale industrial production. The approach involves rapidly heating bio-plastic fibers to high temperatures, resulting in enhanced resistance to heat and moisture.
Researchers create self-healing batteries, sensors and wearable circuits using a special magnetic ink. The devices can repair tears as wide as 3 millimeters in under 50 milliseconds.
Kansas State University is part of a public-private partnership to advance the design and manufacture of advanced textiles, valued at over $240 million. The project aims to create an advanced textile industry through technology and research collaborations.
Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia have developed new methods for creating human tissues using textile manufacturing processes. These methods, which include meltblowing, spunbonding, and carding, proved more cost-effective than traditional electrospinning techniques, with costs ranging from $0.30 to $3.00 per meter.
A study by Pamela Norum found that millennials are more likely to donate clothing rather than throwing it away, with 65% donating at least some clothing to charity. Older adults were less likely to recycle textiles, instead sending clothes to landfills.
The textile industry is making efforts to clean up its act by using safer chemicals and natural alternatives, reducing water pollution caused by toxic compounds like dyes and solvents. Environmental groups are also calling for stricter practices to prevent illnesses among nearby residents and harm to local farms.
Researchers created a truly electronic textile using graphene, revolutionizing wearable devices like smart clothing and phones. The breakthrough enables flexible and transparent electrodes, paving the way for innovative applications in healthcare, defense, and communication.
Researchers at Université Laval have developed smart textiles that can monitor and transmit wearers' biomedical information, including glucose levels, heart rhythm, and brain activity. The technology has the potential to revolutionize healthcare for people with chronic diseases and elderly individuals living alone.
Scientists from NPL have developed a technique to identify counterfeit clothing and footwear using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. The method detects distinct transmission profiles associated with different fabrics, allowing for the distinction between authentic and fake items.
North Carolina State University researchers developed conductive wires with a liquid metal alloy core, increasing stretchability by orders of magnitude. The new wires have potential applications in electronic textiles, headphones, and phone chargers.
A MU study found that 67% of textile and apparel firms misrepresent themselves, with nearly 80% of wholesalers not defining themselves correctly. Companies with congruent identities tend to be financially successful, hiring more employees and having higher sales.
Researchers at Tufts University have made significant advancements in silk materials, transforming them from commodity textiles to high-tech applications. The development of silk hydrogels, films, fibers, and sponges enables advances in photonics, nanotechnology, electronics, adhesives, and microfluidics.
The Wearable Absence project uses wearable devices to record the wearer's physical and emotional state, triggering the transfer of personalized memory back to the wearer. The system combines textile arts, emotional mapping, and responsive technologies to provide comfort and enhance human experience.
Researchers at NC State are creating a comfortable and functional leather HazMat boot that meets both criteria. The new boots use special materials that repel toxic chemicals, making them easy to clean and decontaminate.
Researchers at UC Berkeley developed energy-scavenging nanofibers that can harness body movements to power hand-held electronics. The fibers have piezoelectric properties and high efficiency rates, enabling the creation of wearable 'smart clothes' with no perceptible change in comfort for users.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a sustainable solution to the global period poverty issue by creating affordable sanitary pads from locally sourced, organic materials. The pads will be sold at a lower cost than existing brands, making them accessible to millions of women in impoverished countries.
A group of students at North Carolina State University has developed a 'lunar texshield' to protect astronauts from space radiation while generating and storing power. The lightweight polymer material deflects or absorbs radiation, backed by layers of solar cells and radiation-absorbing materials.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a flexible, metallic fabric composed of small rings and links. The fabric's unique properties make it suitable for developing smart fabrics and wearable electronic devices. Funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency supported this groundbreaking research.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed Fe-TAML(R) activators that can decolorize textile mill wastewater with high efficiency and safety. The technology has the potential to save millions of gallons of water yearly over the entire industry by enabling manufacturers to recycle water used in textile dyeing.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are refining a process using small gold clusters to improve materials, including textiles and antifreeze. This could lead to more efficient and environmentally superior production methods.
The von Liebig Center will provide mentorship and commercialization services to UCSD inventors, awarding pre-seed funds to assess new discovery potential. The center will also support academic courses preparing engineering students for entrepreneurial environments.
Researchers have created biodegradable hydrogels that can deliver medications, anchor biological tissues, and even serve as gene therapy carriers. The new materials have controlled release profiles and can be tailored to suit specific medication needs.
Researchers at Georgia Tech are using MRI to study textile drying and moisture flow in carpets, with potential benefits including faster drying times, reduced energy consumption, and less prone to mildew. The technique also allows for the analysis of fabric structures and wicking of sweat away from the body.
A new cotton additive with N-halamines effectively kills pathogenic and odor-causing bacteria and viruses. The treatment can be recharged by rinsing treated fabrics in a dilute bleach solution, offering a fast and cost-effective alternative to existing biocidal cottons.
Engineers have developed a method for coating threads with size using supercritical fluids, reducing chemical and water waste in the textile industry. The new technique could speed up thread processing by a factor of ten and replace centuries-old technology.
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory will apply its advanced laser technology to monitor the characteristics of synthetic fibers during manufacturing. This will enable real-time process adjustments, reducing production time and costs. The project aims to significantly improve fiber properties measurement and production efficiency.
The Georgia Tech system automatically identifies defects as fabric comes off the loom, allowing immediate correction of process problems. It provides detailed records of weaving quality to optimize fabric use, and can pinpoint factors causing defects.
A flaw detection system developed by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory is helping textile plants in the U.S. improve fabric quality and reduce defects, which could lead to cost savings and job preservation.