Textiles

Digital Twin (DT) models are gaining attention as promising tools for improving efficiency, sustainability, and responsiveness in textile manufacturing. This paper provides a critical review of existing DT applications and outlines seven underexplored areas where such systems could offer tangible benefits. By linking DT models with real-time data, textile producers can optimise energy usage, reduce production errors, enhance machine reliability, and accelerate decision-making processes. Moreover, DTs offer long-term opportunities for smarter waste management, personalised production with lower return rates, and better workforce training. The paper concludes with stakeholder-specific recommendations, such as integrating digital product passports for recyclability, and calls for a cross-disciplinary approach to digital transformation in the sector. These findings offer practitioners a roadmap for adopting DT technologies not only as monitoring tools but as strategic enablers for circularity, agility, and competitiveness. Full article

The apparel industry is changing dynamically and quickly to manufacturing sustainable fashion products and the development of sustainable design strategies that minimize material consumption at the source. This study addresses a critical research gap by quantitatively evaluating the impact of fusing traditional South Asian garment construction (the kameez) with varied, Western-inspired sleeve geometries on key manufacturing metrics. Thirty-three distinct women’s garment styles, comprising three kameez types (simple, princess-cut, open-front) each paired with eleven different sleeve designs, were developed in the apparel industry to study the effect of fabric efficiency, wastage, and cost-effectiveness. The virtual patterns and markers were drafted and accomplished through Garment Gerber Technology (GGT) software to analyze fabric consumption, fabric efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. The results revealed that paneled kameez styles, such as the princess-cut and open-front, are significantly more material-efficient, achieving average fabric efficiencies of up to 83.95%, compared to the monolithic simple kameez, which averaged only 75.68%. Among sleeve types, multi-constructions like the slit sleeve and cuff sleeve proved most efficient (achieving up to 86.91% efficiency), while voluminous, single-piece designs like the umbrella sleeve consumed the most fabric and were the least efficient. Open-front kameez slit sleeves (OFSL3), simple kameez slit sleeves (SSL3), and princess-cut kameez slit sleeves (PCSL3), were better and more sustainable selections since they were most efficient in fabric efficiency (i.e., 86.91%, 86.17%, and 86.09%). Furthermore, the simple kameez style has the highest fabric wastage (above 22%), while the princess kameez style has the least (below 19%). The simple kameez slit sleeves design (SSL3) has the minimum wastage, while the simple kameez umbrella sleeves design (SSL4) has the maximum wastage. From a cost perspective, the open-front kameez slit sleeve (OFSL1) was identified as the most economical design, whereas the simple kameez with an umbrella sleeve (SSL4) was the most expensive. Statistical analysis confirmed that the differences between kameez styles were significant (p < 0.05). Thus, adoption of specific, sustainable, deliberate design choices and incorporating paneling into the garment body and utilizing multi-piece sleeve constructions offer a quantifiable and strategic approach for manufacturers to reduce material waste, optimize fabric utilization, and improve production cost-effectiveness. Full article

Distressed fabric is a popular fashion trend that adds a distinct visual appeal to garments. Distressing involves acid washing with pumice stones containing potassium permanganate. This approach is inappropriate for knitted textiles, which can generate holes and reduce quality. This project seeks to create an Elasto Ball (EB) as an alternative to pumice stones in the acid-washing procedure of knitted materials. The Elasto Ball consists of natural rubber foam filled with silica and a silica–lignin hybrid derived from rice husks. The efficacy of the filler is enhanced during the manufacturing of Elasto Ball by employing the NXT silane coupling agent throughout the silanization process. The silanized elasto ball exhibits thermal stability up to 400 °C and a porosity of up to 5%. In garment washing assessments, the Elasto Ball can diminish the fabric’s color by 40–50% without causing damage. The findings of this study indicate that Elasto Ball can function as an efficient, eco-friendly substitute for washing balls in garment washing procedures. Full article

This paper presents an innovative protocol for fabric functionalization using Tormentillae rhizoma extract, the chemical composition of which was proved via LC/MS analysis. The extract demonstrated antioxidant activity > 99%, and antibacterial efficacy against E. coli and S. aureus > 99%. Cotton, wool, polyamide, and cellulose acetate were functionalized with the prepared extract, all showing > 90% antioxidant activity. Functionalized cotton, wool, and polyamide exhibited > 99% antibacterial activity against both bacteria. Based on these findings and the fabrics’ ability to release bioactive compounds, functionalized cotton and polyamide fabrics having excellent bioactivity but a lower ability to release bioactive compounds can serve as protective fabrics for people with sensitive skin prone to wounds, and various products for hospitals. Functionalized wool was identified as the most suitable wound dressing for in vivo preclinical investigation on Wistar albino rats. The obtained results showcased a wound-healing rate of 95.54%, and hydroxyproline content of 8.08 µg/mg dry tissue for rats treated with functionalized wool. Compared to negative, positive, and a group of rats treated with non-functionalized wool, those treated with functionalized wool demonstrated elevated values of tissue redox state parameters, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and a notable reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value. Analysis of the blood samples of rats treated with functionalized wool indicated increased levels of antioxidant defense system parameters (SOD and CAT) and decreased pro-oxidative markers superoxide (O₂⁻) and TBARS. Further clinical trials are needed to validate these findings. Full article

The garment manufacturing industry, being labor-intensive, has long faced challenges in automating the sewing process due to the flexibility and deformability of fabrics. This study proposes a novel strategy for automated sewing by integrating soft fingers and machine vision technology. Firstly, leveraging the flexibility and adjustability of soft fingers, combined with the motion characteristics of the sewing machine, a sewing model was established to achieve coordinated operation between the soft fingers and the sewing machine. Experimental results indicate that the fabric feeding speed and waiting time of the soft fingers are significantly correlated with the sewing speed and stitch density of the sewing machine, but not with the fabric properties. Secondly, machine vision technology was employed to inspect the quality of the sewn fabrics, achieving a classification accuracy of 97.84%. This study not only provides theoretical and technical support for the intelligent upgrading of the garment manufacturing industry but also lays the foundation for the automation of complex sewing processes such as quilting. Future research will further optimize the system’s performance and expand its applications in more complex sewing tasks. Full article

As the importance of sustainability and performance increases, new developments in the manufacturing of fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPC) are requested. Ultraviolet (UV) curing offers a faster, more economical, and eco-friendlier alternative to conventionally used thermal curing methods, e.g., autoclave curing, but according to extant research, also presents some shortcomings, such as limitations to thin FRPCs and transparent glass fibers (GFs). This study analyses the UV light transmission in different thermoset FRPCs by irradiating various fiber samples on one side, while a sensor on the opposite side measures the transmitted irradiance. The materials investigated include unidirectional (UD) carbon fibers (CF), UD flax fibers (FF), and six GF fabrics with different ply structures. The fiber samples are tested in a dry, non-impregnated state and a resin-impregnated state using a UV-curable vinyl-ester-based resin. The results show that up to 16 plies of five GF fabrics are fully cured within the 20 s irradiation time and still exhibit a relatively high light transmission, revealing the potential of curing thick FRPCs with UV light. Furthermore, up to three plies of non-transparent FFs are cured, which is promising for the UV curing of natural fibers. Full article

Water scarcity is an escalating global challenge, driven by climate change and population growth. With only 2.5% of Earth’s freshwater readily accessible, there is an urgent need to explore sustainable alternatives. Textile-based fog collectors are advanced tools which have shown great potential and have gained remarkable attention across the world. This review critically evaluates emerging technologies for freshwater generation, including desalination (thermal and reverse osmosis (RO)), fog and dew harvesting, atmospheric water extraction, greywater reuse, and solar desalination systems, e.g., WaterSeer and Desolenator. Key performance metrics, e.g., water yield, energy input, and water collection efficiency, are summarized. For instance, textile-based fog harvesting devices can yield up to 103 mL/min/m², and modern desalination systems offer 40–60% water recovery. This work provides a comparative framework to guide future implementation of water-scarcity solutions, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Full article

Detecting chemical residues on surfaces is critical in environmental monitoring, industrial hygiene, public health, and incident management after chemical releases. Compounds such as acrylonitrile (ACN) and tetraethylguanidine (TEG), widely used in chemical processes, can pose risks upon residual exposure. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI), a high-resolution, non-destructive method, offers a secure and effective solution to identify and spatially map chemical contaminants based on spectral signatures. In this study, we present an HSI-based framework to detect and differentiate ACN and TEG residues on textile surfaces. High-resolution spectral data were collected from three representative textiles using a hyperspectral camera operating in the short-wave infrared range. The spectral datasets were processed using standard normal variate transformation, Savitzky–Golay filtering, and principal component analysis to enhance contrast and identify material-specific features. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach in resolving spectral differences corresponding to distinct chemical residues and concentrations but also provide a practical and scalable method for detecting chemical contaminants in consumer and industrial textile materials, supporting reliable residue assessment and holding promise for broader applications in safety-critical fields. Full article

The fast fashion industry has significantly increased global textile demand, driving a surge in fiber production. However, only a minimal portion of this fiber comes from recycled sources. In the United States alone, a vast amount of textile waste is generated annually, with over half ending up in landfills, contributing to environmental degradation and global warming. These developments underscore the urgent need for scalable and efficient textile recycling solutions to address both economic and ecological challenges in the fashion industry. Among recycling methods, mechanical recycling stands out for its low cost and simplicity, making it suitable for processing various types of textile waste. This article reviews current knowledge, identifies key research gaps, and provides direction for future studies in mechanical textile recycling. Despite progress, significant challenges remain in improving the quality and efficiency of recycled fiber. This study shows the importance of advancing pretreatment methods and sorting technologies, and highlights understanding regarding shredding, opening processes, and fabric structural properties. Full article

This study presents the influence of the type of weave and relative fabric density on surface roughness and the coefficient of friction in raw cotton woven fabrics. Relative fabric density, which represents how full a fabric is compared to the maximum packing density allowed by its weave, provides a more accurate basis for comparison than absolute fabric density. Analysis revealed that both the type of weave and relative fabric density have a statistically significant effect on surface roughness, while neither factor significantly impacts the coefficient of friction. Notably, increasing relative fabric density consistently reduces surface roughness in plain, 2/2 twill, and, to some extent, 5-end satin fabrics, with plain fabrics showing the highest roughness overall. At high densities, 2/2 twill fabrics exhibit greater structural stability, yielding smoother surfaces than 5-end satin fabrics, reversing trends detected at lower densities. Furthermore, the relationship between surface roughness and friction was decoupled in plain and 2/2 twill fabrics—specifically, increased density leads to smoother surfaces and higher friction. 5-end satin fabrics were unique in showing a simultaneous reduction in both surface-mechanical properties as fabric density increased. These findings highlight that relative fabric density is a critical parameter for engineering fabrics with tailored performance properties. Full article

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is an aliphatic polyester considered a “green” material due to its natural-based origin and biodegradable properties. This is why PLA fibres may be compared with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibres in an effort to partially replace the latter in industrial production. The purpose of this study is to investigate the dyeability of poly(lactic acid) fibres using six (6) commercially available disperse dyes with different energy levels, molecular weights and chemical structures, namely Disperse Red 59 (Serisol Fast Pink RFL), Disperse Red 60 (Serilene Red 2BL), Disperse Red 92 (Serilene Red TBLS), Disperse Orange 31 (Serisol Br Orange RGL), Disperse Yellow 54 (Serilene Yellow 3GL) and Disperse Blue 79 (Serilene Navy Blue GRLS). The dyeing characteristics, such as dye exhaustion, colour strength (K/S value), colorimetric values, wash fastness, light fastness and sublimation fastness of dyed fibres, were examined at dyeing temperatures of 110 and 130 °C, while the presence of carrier agent was also investigated. The dye exhaustion values of PLA fibres were found to be lower than those of PET fabrics; however, K/S values were higher than those of the corresponding PET fabrics in some cases. Dyed PLA fibres illustrated good colour fastness, light fastness and sublimation fastness properties, comparable to similarly dyed PET fibres. Full article

Cardiovascular diseases pose a significant global health burden, driving the need for artificial vascular grafts to address limitations of autologous and allogeneic vessels. This review examines the integration of fiber materials and textile technologies in vascular tissue engineering, focusing on structural mimicry and functional regeneration of native blood vessels. Traditional textile techniques (weaving, knitting, and braiding) and advanced methods (electrospinning, melt electrowriting, wet spinning, and gel spinning) enable the fabrication of fibrous scaffolds with hierarchical architectures resembling the extracellular matrix. The convergence of textile technology and fiber materials holds promise for next-generation grafts that integrate seamlessly with host tissue, addressing unmet clinical needs in vascular tissue regeneration. Full article

This study investigates Fenton-based processes for textile dye degradation, focusing on Direct Red 28 (DR28), Reactive Blue 19 (RB19), and Reactive Black 5 (RBk5). Results reveal varying effectiveness of catalyst–radical combinations, with copper and peroxydisulfate consistently performing well, especially on RBk5 with 100% and 98.5% decolorization and total organic carbon (TOC) reduction, respectively. Iron faces limitations with DR28 due to sediment formation, resulting in 3.5% and 52.7% TOC removal when paired with hydroxyl and peroxydisulfate radicals, correspondingly. Unexpectedly, cobalt shows notable capabilities with RBk5, reaching 87.2% TOC removal, but performs poorly on the other two dyes, with less than 20% TOC removal when paired with hydroxyl radicals. Cost analysis highlights the cost-effectiveness of the standard photo-Fenton process for easy-to-degrade dyes with a cost of $0.174/g TOC removed, while copper emerges as a viable option for recalcitrant dyes, costing $0.371/g TOC removed. Overall, this research enhances understanding of catalyst–radical interactions on various dyes, a topic that is scarcely discussed in other research, and expands upon it by using techno-economic analysis for Fenton-based technologies for textile wastewater treatment, as a consideration for technology selection in actual application. Full article

Water contamination from textile dyes is a major environmental hazard. This is due to the textile industry serving among the biggest manufacturers, thus the extensive usage of these dyes. Several methods for the treatment of these pollutants have been used; however, they have limitations in terms of cost, forming secondary pollution, and effectiveness. Metal oxides such as tin oxide (SnO₂) have been identified as potential photocatalysts for the degradation of these dyes. The potential of SnO₂-based photocatalysts, especially those made using green techniques, has been at the forefront of current research. The physical and optical properties, green synthesis techniques, and photocatalytic uses of SnO₂ NPs are examined. Furthermore, methods to improve photocatalytic effectiveness through the formation of heterostructures are also explored. Lastly, the conclusion and future perspectives of these materials as suitable candidates for water treatment are highlighted. Full article

The advancement of wearable technologies has resulted in significant interest in GNSS-integrated textile antenna development. Although existing literature surveys predominantly concentrate on flexible non-textile antenna systems operating within UHF and 5G frequency spectra, systematic investigations of textile-based antenna configurations in the 1–2 GHz GNSS band have been relatively scarce. Contemporary GNSS textile antenna architectures primarily target GPS frequency coverage, while the global proliferation of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) infrastructure necessitates urgent development of BDS-compatible textile antenna solutions. This review methodically examines the structural configurations and radiation characteristics of 1–2 GHz textile antennas, bandwidth enhancement techniques, miniaturization methodologies, and gain optimization approaches, along with material selection criteria and manufacturing processes. Technical challenges persist in simultaneously achieving broadband operation, compact dimensions, and elevated gain performance. Primary manufacturing approaches encompassing laminated fabric assemblies, printed electronics, and embroidered conductive patterns are analyzed, while existing methodologies exhibit limited capacity for seamless garment integration. Despite remarkable progress in conductive material engineering, dielectric property modification studies demonstrate insufficient theoretical depth. Comprehensive mitigation strategies for multifaceted operational environments involving human proximity effects, mechanical deformation, and variable meteorological conditions remain notably underdeveloped. This comprehensive analysis aims to establish a foundational framework for next-generation BDS-oriented textile antenna development. Full article

This study presents a novel drop-off strategy for automated fabric handling in intelligent apparel manufacturing, addressing the critical challenge of drift-free placement of lightweight, flexible textiles. A pneumatically driven retractable plate is introduced as an auxiliary device, along with machine vision technology, to eliminate drop-off deviations inherent in traditional soft grippers. By synchronizing the retraction motion of the plate with soft gripper release, the fabric is transferred onto the target surface without free-fall drift, achieving sub-0.5 mm alignment accuracy across 15 fabric types. Machine vision-based inspection validates drop-off quality in real time. This work offers a low-cost, drift-free drop-off solution for pre-sewing automation. Full article

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) represents significant risks to both textile durability and human health. Natural dyes are gaining attention as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic UV-blocking agents, offering aesthetic and functional benefits. This study explores the UV-protective properties of 100% cotton knit fabrics dyed with natural dyes—indigo, weld, and madder—using different mordanting processes, including materials with mordant abilities such as alum, pomegranate peel, and tannin extracted from quebracho. Twenty samples were evaluated, including undyed, individually treated, and combined dye-mordant formulations. UV protection was assessed through spectral transmittance and Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) measurements before and after washing. The results showed that natural dyes significantly improved the UV resistance of cotton fabrics, particularly when combined with products like pomegranate and the tannin–alum mixture. Notably, some samples demonstrated improved UPF and became darker after washing, such as mordant combinations like tannin with alum. These findings suggest that natural dye, when combined with appropriate mordants, offers a sustainable and effective approach to producing UV-protective textiles. This is particularly valuable in children’s clothing, where chemical safety and sun protection are crucial. Future research should investigate the influence of pH on dye stability and UV-blocking performance to optimise formulations for industrial use and long-term functionality. Full article

This study investigates the production and characterization of basalt continuous fibers (BCFs) with varying oxide contents (including Na₂O, SiO₂, CaO, TiO₂, and Al₂O₃), derived from modified basalt bulk glasses. The fibers were created through a two-stage process that included the preparation of basalt glasses followed by fiber drawing. A key focus of the research was on evaluating the mechanical properties of BCF after low-temperature treatments. Tensile testing revealed that the maximum tensile strength of the fibers was 1915 MPa at room temperature, which decreased to 1714 MPa at −196 °C, representing a shift of −10.5%. The addition of sodium oxide not only broadened the fiber-forming temperature range but also increased the strength to 2351 MPa. However, significant reductions in strength were observed at cryogenic temperatures, particularly for the Na-rich sample, which experienced a decrease of 32.8%. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing oxide content and minimizing hydroxyl (OH) groups to enhance the performance of basalt fibers in low-temperature applications, positioning them as viable materials for use in extreme environments. Full article

This study presents an advanced framework for fabric texture classification by leveraging macro- and micro-texture extraction techniques integrated with deep learning architectures. Co-occurrence histograms, local binary patterns (LBPs), and albedo-dependent feature maps were employed to comprehensively capture the surface properties of fabrics. A late fusion approach was applied using four state-of-the-art convolutional neural networks (CNNs): InceptionV3, ResNet50_V2, DenseNet, and VGG-19. Excellent results were obtained, with the ResNet50_V2 achieving a precision of 0.929, recall of 0.914, and F1 score of 0.913. Notably, the integration of multimodal inputs allowed the models to effectively distinguish challenging fabric types, such as cotton–polyester and satin–silk pairs, which exhibit overlapping texture characteristics. This research not only enhances the accuracy of textile classification but also provides a robust methodology for material analysis, with significant implications for industrial applications in fashion, quality control, and robotics. Full article