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Innovative Functional Textiles and Their Applications
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Innovative Functional Textiles and Their Applications

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 4621

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Meredith McQuerry

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, Florida State University, 644 W Call St, 236 Shaw Bldg, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
Interests: clothing comfort physiology; personal protective clothing; quality assurance; textile testing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Functional and performance-based textiles must serve a multitude of purposes, from thermal and chemical protection to enhancing physiological comfort and ergonomic mobility. At the root of functional clothing design is the optimal balance of these often competing user needs, which must be considered both individually and holistically for the impact that each has on the wearer. New fiber, yarn, and fabric technologies are developed every day, with numerous protective clothing and performance apparel applications. From tactial athletes and first responders, such as firefighters and law enforcement, to military personnel and healthcare workers, the demand for a better balance between protection and comfort in functional textiles and apparel has never been greater. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted these needs due to the increase in the use of reusable PPE, which often faces criticism from a breathability and comfort perspective. In many industrial occupations, such as construction, mining, agriculture, and welding, personal protective clothing (PPC) is often under-considered, especially in terms of reducing the onset of heat-related illnesses and heat stress.

Another example of the need for innovative functional textile research is in the fire service. With the mandated removal of per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) from structural firefighting turnout gear, alternative polyurethane (PU) membranes have been adopted. Consequently, this multi-layer protective clothing system's breathability and capacity for heat loss have been drastically reduced. Much research is needed in this area, as this material change further increases firefighters’ risk of overexertion and cardiovascular strain, which are currently the most prevalent causes of firefighter fatalities. Both passive and active design modifications, as well as wearable technology solutions, exist from the fiber to the garment level, with the potential to either directly or indirectly alleviate the often unintended consequences of making initial material or design changes to complex protective clothing systems.

Therefore, this Special Issue on “Innovative Functional Textiles and Their Applications” welcomes articles that investigate novel textile technologies in numerous functional and protective apparel applications. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The impact of fluorine-free finishes on the performance and durability of functional apparel;
  • Innovative wearble systems for biophysical and/or exposure monitoring;
  • Assessments of material and design modifications for improved ergonomic mobility;
  • Personal protective clothing and equipment’s challenges and performance in the healthcare industry;
  • The affect of various types of functional performance apparel on human performance;
  • Assessments of the care and maintenance of novel finishes over the useful life of products;
  • Novel findings related to developed methodologies used to assess innovative textile functionalities;
  • The performance of innovative functional textiles in numerous apparel applications;
  • The application of innovative textiles in PPE ensemble elements (gloves, boots, helmets, masks, etc.).

Dr. Meredith McQuerry
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • textiles
  • functional apparel
  • material
  • fabric
  • garment
  • protective clothing
  • personal protective equipment
  • wearable technology
  • comfort
  • mobility

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 3035 KiB  
Article
Effect of Hybrid Knitted Structure on Clothing Pressure
by Hoorieeh Abbasi Mahmoodabadi, Emiel DenHartog and Minyoung Suh
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020617 - 10 Jan 2025
Viewed by 719
Abstract
This study presents new, knitted fabrics that combine woven and knitted structures to better control compression garments. This can be achieved by incorporating inlay yarns that utilize a woven configuration within knitted fabrics. As a result, this structure enhances the fabric’s functionality. Central [...] Read more.
This study presents new, knitted fabrics that combine woven and knitted structures to better control compression garments. This can be achieved by incorporating inlay yarns that utilize a woven configuration within knitted fabrics. As a result, this structure enhances the fabric’s functionality. Central to the research is the development and evaluation of various prototypes of arm sleeves using nylon–spandex, specifically engineered to apply the desired pressure on arms. The sleeves were knitted using different base structures including single jersey, single pique, 1 × 1 mock rib, and 2 × 2 mock rib, with and without inlays. A commercial sleeve was added as a reference. According to the protocol, the applied pressure of each sleeve was measured at three different points on the dominant arm of 12 healthy females. Stretch properties of arm sleeves were examined using an elongation tester. The thickness and weight of fabrics were evaluated as well. Also, the results of surveys—featuring four questions about the ease of motion, softness, thermal sensation, and overall comfort—were statistically analyzed. The analysis showed that the commercial and 2 × 2 mock rib sleeves were the most comfortable, creating pleasant subjective wearing sensations. The findings showed that the fabric’s tensile properties were significantly changed by the inclusion of inlay yarns in the weft and warp directions. According to survey results, 1 × 1 mock rib and 1 × 1 mock rib with inlay negatively affected subjective wearing sensations, while exerting the highest pressure on the subject’s arm. This is associated with the fabric’s compressive structure which directly contributes to the increased thickness and weight of the fabric. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Functional Textiles and Their Applications)
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11 pages, 1231 KiB  
Article
Impact of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus on Air Gaps in Structural Firefighting Personal Protective Clothing
by Josephine Bolaji and Meredith McQuerry
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15010006 - 24 Dec 2024
Viewed by 663
Abstract
The self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is an integral part of the structural firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) ensemble. However, when donned, it adds significant weight and restriction, interfering with the fit of the turnout suit and the ventilation within the clothing system. This [...] Read more.
The self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is an integral part of the structural firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) ensemble. However, when donned, it adds significant weight and restriction, interfering with the fit of the turnout suit and the ventilation within the clothing system. This may result in a reduction of air gaps within the clothing microclimate, quickening the onset of heat strain. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the SCBA on air gaps in structural firefighting turnout suits. Nine active-duty male firefighter participants were scanned in a three-dimensional body scanner in four garment configurations (compression, base layers, turnout suit, and turnout with SCBA). Torso volume, surface area, and air gaps were calculated alongside ease measurements. Findings demonstrated a 59% increase in torso volume when donning the turnout suit over base layers compared to a 1.2% reduction in torso volume when donning the SCBA. The change in torso air gap volume and distance were also found to be negligible when donning the SCBA. This study lays the foundation for full systems ensemble research needed to better understand how the design, weight, and fit of the SCBA impacts the thermal comfort, mobility, and protection of structural firefighters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Functional Textiles and Their Applications)
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17 pages, 13829 KiB  
Article
Advanced Virtual Fit Technology for Precision Pressure Application in Medical Compression Waistbands
by Seonyoung Youn, Sheng Zhan and Kavita Mathur
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(22), 10697; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142210697 - 19 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1086
Abstract
The design of medical-grade compression garments is essential for therapeutic efficacy, requiring precise pressure distribution on specific body areas. This study evaluates the effectiveness of virtual fit technology, focusing on CLO3D, in designing these garments. Simulated strain and pressure values from CLO3D were [...] Read more.
The design of medical-grade compression garments is essential for therapeutic efficacy, requiring precise pressure distribution on specific body areas. This study evaluates the effectiveness of virtual fit technology, focusing on CLO3D, in designing these garments. Simulated strain and pressure values from CLO3D were compared to experimental measurements, alongside the development of a CP model using CLO3D’s digitized stretch stiffness (Youn’s CP model). Using a 3D-scanned manikin, the mechanical behavior of eight knit fabrics, including composite structures, was assessed under strain of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. The results showed that CLO3D’s built-in pressure simulation overestimated the pressure, especially in plaited fabrics such as SJP and INTP, with discrepancies of up to 10 kPa at strain levels above 15%. In contrast, the experimental pressure measurements using the Kikuhime and PPS sensors varied within 0.13 to 2.59 kPa. Youn’s CP model provided a closer fit to the experimental data, with deviations limited to within 1.9 kPa. This finding highlights the limitations of CLO3D for precision-required applications and underscores the need for more advanced, customized algorithms in virtual fit technology to ensure reliable compression garment design, particularly in medical contexts, where precise pressure control is critical for patient outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Functional Textiles and Their Applications)
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16 pages, 5796 KiB  
Article
Thermochromic Yarns’ Application in Fever Detection for Young Children
by Sibei Xia, Chuanlan Liu, Yanbo Zhang and Bruce Cameron
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4604; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114604 - 27 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1491
Abstract
The existing literature emphasizes the significance of and needs for developing body temperature monitoring devices that can consistently and discreetly assess the temperatures of young children. Such products could offer a method to check children’s body temperature and alleviate parents’ concerns over fever. [...] Read more.
The existing literature emphasizes the significance of and needs for developing body temperature monitoring devices that can consistently and discreetly assess the temperatures of young children. Such products could offer a method to check children’s body temperature and alleviate parents’ concerns over fever. However, research gaps and challenges exist in preserving material flexibility, conducting tests in a controlled setting that mimics body temperature, and investigating consumer perceptions of this type of functional textile product. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate functional textiles using thermochromic yarns for young children’s body temperature detection, particularly focusing on testing prototypes in a controlled environment and empirically investigating target consumers’ perceptions of such products. Experimental prototype testing and a consumer survey were conducted in this study. The findings validate the practicality and market potential of such products. We also proposed alternative mediums for implementing the functional yarn and recommendations for developing these products based on target consumers’ concerns and suggestions. This research helped identify potential economic development possibilities for functional textiles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Functional Textiles and Their Applications)
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