As Editors, we found it a special occasion and an honour to participate in a publishing project. We present a Special Issue of “Fibres and Textiles: Innovation, Engineering and Sustainability—In Memory of Professor Izabella Krucińska (1953–2023)”, established to celebrate the scientific legacy of an outstanding researcher whose work significantly shaped the development of modern textile and fibre engineering. Professor Izabella Krucińska was someone that we both had the honour of working with for many years. For about 10 years, Professor Leszek A. Dobrzański was the Chairman of Working Group No. 8 of the National Smart Specialisation “Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology” of the Ministry of Development and Technology in Poland, where Professor Izabella Krucińska served as Deputy Chairman until her passing. Moreover, Doctor Ewelina Pabjańczyk-Wlazło works at the Institute of Textiles of the Faculty of Textiles and Design of the Lodz University of Technology in Łódź, Poland, whose Director, until her last days of life, was Professor Izabella Krucińska, who was also her mentor. We both have personal reasons to take this opportunity to commemorate her outstanding achievements. The scientific papers in this Special Issue were intended to provide a forum for showcasing the latest developments in fibres, textiles, advanced materials, and sustainable engineering solutions that continue to drive innovation in this field. We had the honour of preparing this Special Issue for printing.
Professor Izabella Krucińska was widely recognized as one of the leading figures in textile science and engineering. Throughout her distinguished academic career, she contributed substantially to the advancement of fibre technologies, textile metrology, nonwoven structures, nanofibrous materials, and functional textiles. As Director of the Institute of Textile Research at Lodz University of Technology, she successfully combined scientific excellence with visionary leadership, fostering interdisciplinary research and international collaboration. Her contributions resulted in numerous scientific publications, patents, and innovative technological solutions that found practical applications in industry and society. Equally important was her role as a mentor, educator, and advocate for scientific development, inspiring generations of researchers both in Poland and abroad.
Professor Krucińska’s scientific achievements extended far beyond conventional textile engineering and encompassed pioneering developments in advanced fibrous materials and smart textile systems. Her research played a significant role in the emergence of modern functional textiles, particularly in the areas of nanofibrous structures, conductive and sensor-integrated textiles, protective clothing, textronics, biomedical textiles, and multifunctional nonwoven materials, which are currently undergoing rapid development [1,2,3,4]. She authored and co-authored more than 200 scientific publications, supervised numerous doctoral dissertations, and contributed to the development of patented technologies that successfully bridged the gap between fundamental research and industrial implementation. Her work on textile sensors for monitoring physiological parameters, graphene- and carbon nanotube-modified textile materials, as well as innovative fibrous structures for medical, environmental, and protective applications, opened new avenues for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of materials science, electronics, and textile engineering.
The impact of Professor Krucińska’s work has been recognized through numerous national and international distinctions. Under her leadership, research teams have received prestigious awards at international invention exhibitions, including accolades presented in Geneva and Paris, and several developed technologies have achieved successful commercialization. She was awarded the Gold Medal of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and became an Honorary Fellow of The Textile Institute, one of the highest distinctions in the international textile community. Her scientific achievements contributed significantly to strengthening the global visibility of Polish textile research. In recognition of her scholarly influence, she was listed among the world’s most impactful scientists in international citation-based rankings. Beyond her scientific accomplishments, she was a respected academic leader whose dedication to interdisciplinary cooperation, innovation, and education left a lasting legacy within both academia and industry.
The thematic scope of this Special Issue reflects the broad spectrum of scientific challenges that characterized Professor Krucińska’s research interests. This Special Issue welcomed contributions related to fibre science, textile engineering, advanced manufacturing technologies, textile composites, sustainable materials, technical textiles, nanotechnology, circular economy approaches, and environmentally responsible production processes. These themes represent key directions in the ongoing transformation of the textile sector toward greater functionality, resource efficiency, and sustainability [5,6].
The final collection comprises eight peer-reviewed research articles by authors from different scientific communities and engineering disciplines. Together, these studies illustrate the dynamic and multidisciplinary nature of contemporary fibre and textile research.
Several contributions focus on the design, characterization, and performance assessment of fibre-reinforced composite materials. The studies address issues related to mechanical durability, fatigue behaviour, and environmental aging, providing valuable knowledge concerning the long-term reliability of advanced composite systems intended for demanding engineering applications. Such investigations are essential for expanding the use of fibre-based materials in transportation, construction, aerospace, and other high-performance sectors.
Another group of papers explore the growing importance of sustainable and bio-based materials. Research on natural fibre-reinforced composites demonstrates the potential of renewable resources to replace conventional materials while maintaining desirable mechanical and functional properties. These studies contribute to ongoing efforts aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of engineering materials and promoting circular approaches within manufacturing systems.
This Special Issue also highlights innovations in functional and technical textiles. Contributions in this area investigate advanced textile structures and surface modification techniques designed to improve thermal resistance, durability, and performance under challenging operating conditions. Such developments reflect the increasing demand for multifunctional textile products capable of meeting stringent safety and operational requirements [7].
Environmental sustainability constitutes another important theme represented in the collection. Several studies address novel processing technologies and manufacturing strategies intended to reduce resource consumption and improve process efficiency. These investigations support the broader transition of the textile industry toward cleaner production methods and more sustainable value chains [8].
Taken together, the eight articles published in this Special Issue demonstrate how modern textile engineering integrates materials science, manufacturing technologies, environmental responsibility, and application-oriented innovation. The diversity of topics reflects both the complexity of current scientific challenges and the opportunities emerging from interdisciplinary collaboration.
Importantly, the themes addressed in this collection closely resonate with the scientific vision promoted throughout Professor Krucińska’s career. Her research consistently emphasized the importance of combining fundamental scientific understanding with practical technological implementation while addressing societal and environmental needs. The works presented herein continue this tradition by offering innovative solutions that contribute to the development of sustainable and high-performance fibrous materials and textile products.
The final collection comprises eight peer-reviewed research articles that collectively demonstrate the diversity, interdisciplinarity, and innovation characterizing contemporary fibre and textile engineering.
Narongdej et al. [9] investigated the hygrothermal aging behaviour of glass fibre-reinforced benzoxazine composites, addressing the effects of elevated temperature and moisture on the long-term performance of structural composite materials. Their findings contribute to a better understanding of durability-related mechanisms that are critical for the safe application of fibre-reinforced composites in demanding environmental conditions.
Militký et al. [10] examined the shock thermal resistance of parachute fabrics manufactured from polyester and polyamide materials. Their study provides valuable insights into the thermal stability and performance limitations of technical textiles exposed to rapid temperature changes and extreme operating environments.
Krishnappa et al. [11] focused on the mechanical and tribological properties of composites reinforced with untreated and alkali-treated Sida acuta fibres. The results demonstrate that the chemical modification of natural fibres can significantly improve composite performance, supporting the broader utilization of renewable resources in engineering applications.
Díaz-Rodríguez et al. [12] explored the fatigue endurance of continuous fibre-reinforced polymer composites produced through additive manufacturing technologies. By evaluating the high-cycle fatigue behaviour of carbon- and Kevlar-reinforced structures fabricated using material extrusion techniques, the authors provided important knowledge for the design of reliable 3D-printed composite components.
Tsukasa et al. [13] presented an innovative approach to cotton yarn sizing and desizing using supercritical carbon dioxide as a processing medium. The proposed technology offers a promising sustainable alternative to conventional water-intensive textile finishing processes and illustrates the potential of environmentally responsible manufacturing strategies.
Sandoval Niño et al. [14] investigated hybrid polyurethane composites reinforced with giant reed (Arundo donax) fibres and recycled post-industrial polyurethane waste. Their work demonstrated the feasibility of combining natural reinforcements with recycled materials to develop composites exhibiting favourable mechanical and thermal properties while supporting circular economy principles.
Gzyra-Jagieła et al. [15] reported the development of biodegradable spun-bonded nonwovens modified with polyphenol-rich berry extracts. Their study successfully combined sustainability and functionality, demonstrating how naturally derived bioactive compounds can be incorporated into textile structures to create environmentally friendly materials with enhanced performance characteristics.
Tuzel and Rochefort [16] addressed the challenge of menstrual hygiene waste through the development of a sustainable feminine hygiene pad utilizing Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) as an absorbent core material. This innovative study exemplifies how invasive plant species can be transformed into value-added products, simultaneously addressing environmental concerns and promoting sustainable material utilization.
Taken together, these contributions illustrate the breadth of current research in fibres and textiles, ranging from advanced composite materials and additive manufacturing to sustainable processing technologies, bio-based materials, functional nonwovens, and environmentally conscious product development. The diversity of topics represented in this Special Issue reflects both the multidimensional nature of modern textile engineering and the scientific vision promoted throughout Professor Krucińska’s distinguished career.
As Guest Editors, we express our sincere appreciation to all authors for their valuable contributions, to the reviewers for their insightful comments and dedication to maintaining scientific quality, and to the editorial team of Eng for their professional support throughout the publication process. We hope that this Special Issue serves not only as a source of scientific knowledge but also as a tribute to the lasting impact of Professor Izabella Krucińska on textile science, engineering, and education.
Her scientific achievements, leadership, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire the international textile research community. We trust that the studies gathered in this Special Issue represent a fitting acknowledgment of her remarkable legacy and a meaningful contribution to the future development of fibre and textile engineering.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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