Prof. Frank Ko
Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory
Department of Materials Engineering
University of British Columbia

Abstract

Nanomaterials in 0-D, 1-D, and 2-D geometry such as quantum-dots, carbon nanotubes and nanoclay/graphene have been used effectively as coating and fillers for many products to achieve nanoscale effects. Examples of these nanoeffects include the stain free textiles utilizing the lotus effect and the nanoclay composite for improvement of strength and fire retardancy of automotive components. Continue reading Multifunctional Composite Nanofibres New Frontier in Textile Materials →

Prof. Vladan Koncar
University Lille North of France,
ENSAIT, GEMTEX F-59100, Roubaix, France

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to help blind or visually impaired people to navigate safely and quickly among obstacles and other hazards faced by blind pedestrians in indoor environment. Towards this objective, an innovative approach based on integration of electronic components onto textile structures was realized. By this way, a new wearable obstacle detection system, which can be worn as a garment that is flexible, lightweight and comfortable for the human body has been designed. The proposed smart clothing navigation system would become united part of visually impaired people’s. The smart clothing navigation system is an initial prototype system that combines garment with sensors, actuators, power supplies and a data processing unit. Continue reading Werable Obstacle Avoidance System Integrated with Conductive Yarns for Visually Impaired People →

Prof. dr. ir. Lieva Van Langenhove
Ghent University

Abstract

SYSTEX is a European coordination action aiming at enhancing the breakthrough of smart textiles, policy building has been one of the activities. Through workshops, questionnaires and interviews companies and research institutions were asked for their interest, expectations and needs in the area of smart textiles. From this a policy plan was made for applications in medical and protective textiles. Continue reading The future of smart textiles according to SYSTEX →

D. SCHLETTWEIN
Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Institute of Applied Physics, Gießen, Germany

Textile-based photovoltaics are of interest for an independent energy supply for a number of textile- integrated electronic applications, mainly in medical and outdoor applications. Preparation of semiconductor films from precursor solutions represents the most promising approach because of good compatibility of the processes to a low thermal stability of textiles and to the need of a three- dimensional coating process. Continue reading Photovoltaics go Textile: Fundamental Considerations and Materials Aspects to Realize Dye-sensitized Solar Cells on Textile Electrodes →

Prof. Yi Li
Institute of Textiles and Clothing,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Horn, Kowloon,
Hong Kong, China

Abstract

With the increasing of aging population in the world, healthcare and biomedical functions of textiles become more and more important. To meet the increasing demand in the society, textile biomedical engineering (TBE) aims to develop a holistic and integrative approach of designing and engineering devices to meet the biomedical and healthcare needs by providing various functions such as drug delivery, tissue engineering and artificial implants, temperature and pressure therapy, bioelectric/magnetic detection and stimulation for the health and recovery of human body. TBE is experimental in nature and needs extensive multi-disciplinary collaborations among the experts in medical professionals, physiologists and designers, scientists and engineers in textile and clothing industry. Design and engineer of textiles for biomedical applications involve the integration of the fundamental research in physical, chemical, mathematical, and computational sciences with the development of engineering principles with sound understanding on the relationship between clothing and human biology, medicine, behavior and health. Fundamental concepts need to be advanced together with creating new knowledge from molecules to body-textile systems, and developing innovative materials, devices, and apparel products for healthy lifestyles with the functions of comfort, protection, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and healthcare. Continue reading Textile Biomedical Engineering →

Prof. dr. Marian G. McCord
Director of Global Health Initiatives
Associate Professor
Textile Engineering, Chemistry, and Science Biomedical Engineering

Abstract

Novel nanofiber-enhanced textiles have been developed through electrospinning and plasma processing. The novel bioactive nanofibers feature multiple functionalities including: i) high barrier efficiency; ii) excellent detoxifying efficiency against toxic chemicals; and iii) antimicrobial activity against gram (+) and gram (-) microorganisms. The nanofibers were deposited on textile substrates to form novel layered composite systems. The adhesion between nanofiber layer and substrate textiles can be remarkably increased by both conventional and hybrid plasma treatment. The plasma-treated nanofibers showed excellent performance and durability in a peeling test, a Gelbo Flex test and an abrasion test. The nanofiber-enhanced textiles have shown promise for use in protective clothing and wound dressings. Continue reading Nanofiber – Enhanced TexTILEs for Health and Protection →

Prof. Xungai Wang
Australian Future Fibres Research & Innovation Centre (AFFRIC)
Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM)
Deakin University, Geelong, Australia

Abstract

In this presentation, I have presented an overview of recent developments in fibre related research in Australia. This includes fabrication of fibrous materials in multiple dimensions, including zero dimension ultrafine powders, one dimension nanofibres and yarns, and three dimension fibrous structures. I will introduce the new Australian Future Fibres Research and Innovation Centre (AFFRIC) and the associated Australian Carbon Fibre Research Facility (ACFRF). Continue reading Recent Developments in Fibre Materials Research in Australia →

T.K. GHOSH, L. EADIE
College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

The natural world around us provides excellent examples of functional systems built with a handful of materials. Throughout the millennia, nature has evolved to adapt and develop highly sophisticated methods to solve problems. The solutions found in nature include superhydrophobicity, self cleaning, self repair, energy conservation, drag reduction, dry adhesion, adaptive growth, and so on. There are numerous examples of functional surfaces, fibrous structures, structural colours, self-healing, thermal insulation, etc., that offer important lessons for the textile products of the future. This paper provides a general overview of the potential of bio-inspired textile structures by highlighting a few specific examples of pertinent, inherently sustainable biological systems. Continue reading Biomimicry in Textiles: Past, Present and Potential →

The 4th International Conference “Smart Materials, Structures and Systems” was held in Montecatini  Terme, Tuscany, Italy, from June 10 to 14, 2012. The conference – that followed the ones previously held in Acireale, Sicily, Italy – was organized as a “junior” edition of the recognized CIMTEC series of international meetings which have been established as from the end of sixties. Continue reading The 4th International Conference “Smart Materials, Structures and Systems” →

Prof. Subhash Anand
MBE; Comp. Tl; C.Text. FTI
Professor of Technical Textiles,
Institute for Materials Research and Innovation, The University of Bolton, Bolton, UK

Abstract

Technical textiles market worldwide is forecast to grow by 4 per cent per annum between 2002 and 2010. As a result, by 2010 the technical textiles and industrial nonwovens sector will consume some 23.8 million tones of fibre – up from 16.7 million tones in 2000 and a value of US $ 90 billion – and have a value of US $ 126 billion. Knitted fabric production for technical textiles showed on overall growth of 34.5 per cent from 1995 to 2002 in Western Europe. Over the last decade knitted fabrics and products have been increasingly designed and developed for a very wide spectrum of technical applications, including automotive textiles, medical textiles, geotextiles, sportswear, safety and protective textiles and environmental protection textiles, just to name a few major growth areas of technical textiles. Warp and weft knitted spacer materials are being commercially developed for a very wide range of technical textile products, because of a number of unique design opportunities that they offer. Knitted spacer fabrics are a single
composite of at least three different substrates integrated together during the knitting process. Continue reading Knitted Three-Dimensional Structures for Technical Textiles Applications →