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Wearing clothes could release more microfibers to the environment than washing them

A study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that wearing clothes can release up to 400 microfibers per gram of fabric during normal activity, while washing clothes can release up to 4,000. This suggests that one person could release almost 900 million polyester microfibers per year through simply wearing garments.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 9, 2020

New method for removing oil from water

Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed an environmentally friendly technology to remove oil from water. Textiles with special surface properties passively skim off the oil and move it into a floating container without using chemicals.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (A )·DateFeb 3, 2020

Nanomaterial fabric destroys nerve agents in battlefield-relevant conditions

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a composite material that can efficiently detoxify nerve agents, including VX and soman, under battlefield-relevant conditions. The material uses metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) integrated onto textile fibers, which can capture gases and vapors without the need for liquid water.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 8, 2020

Upcycling process brings new life to old jeans

Researchers have developed an efficient and low-cost method to convert waste denim into reusable cotton fibers, reducing textile waste and conserving resources. The new process uses a 1:4 mixture of ionic liquid and DMSO to dissolve cellulose building blocks, resulting in white or colored viscose-type fibers.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateJun 19, 2019

Everyday enzymes, now grown in plants

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new method to produce enzymes in plants, which can be as effective as traditional microbial-derived enzymes. The plant-grown enzymes are cheaper to produce and shelf-stable, making them a game-changer for industries such as textile manufacturing and juice production.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·DateApr 9, 2019

3D printer threads electronic fibers onto fabrics

Scientists have developed a method to print electronic fibers onto fabrics using a 3D printer. The technique allows for the creation of flexible, wearable hybrid materials with unprecedented properties, enabling the integration of functions such as sensing and actuating into smart wearable systems.

SourceCell Press·JournalMatter·DateMar 27, 2019

Making thread in Bronze Age Britain

Researchers identified splicing as the earliest plant fibre technology for making thread in Early Bronze Age Britain and across Europe. This technology is fundamentally different from draft spinning and was previously unknown in Britain.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalArchaeological and Anthropological Sciences·DateJul 26, 2018

'Greener' ways to color clothes

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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJul 18, 2018

'Knitted muscles' provide power

Scientists at Linköping University and the University of Borås developed a new technology that turns fabric into muscular tissue, allowing it to actuate like muscle fibers. The 'textile muscles' can be integrated into clothing, providing power for devices like exoskeletons, and opening up new opportunities for people with disabilities

SourceLinköping University·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 25, 2017

Weaving for lightweight construction

A textile engineer at Technische Universität Dresden has developed a flexible weaving technology for producing three-dimensional textile structures with excellent structural mechanical properties. The technology can be used in various applications such as aircraft fuselage, car bodies, and machine enclosures.