Search Results (40)

The results of this study, which involved treating cotton fabrics with three fluorescent hyperbranched polymers modified with 1,8-naphthalamide (P1), acridine (P2), and dansyl (P3) groups, could have applications in the development of antimicrobial textiles with self-disinfecting ability. The polymers, dissolved in DMF/water solution, were deposited on the cotton fabric using the exhaustion method. The fabrics were thoroughly analyzed by reflection spectra, CIEL*a*b* coordinates, and color difference (∆E). The release of the polymers from the cotton surface was studied in a phosphate buffer with pH = 7.4 and an acetate buffer with pH = 4.5 at 37 °C for 10 h. It is shown that at pH = 7.4, the release of the three polymers occurs slowly (about 4–5%). In contrast, in an acidic medium, due to protonation of the tertiary amino group of 1,8-naphthalimide, P1 passes significantly more readily into the aqueous solution (35%). The possibility of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generation by the polymers and the cotton fabrics treated with them under sunlight irradiation was followed using an iodometric method. The microbiological activity was investigated against Gram-positive Bacillus cereus and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa as model bacterial strains in the dark and after irradiation with sunlight. The antimicrobial activity of the polymers increased after light irradiation, as ¹O₂ attacks and destroys the bacterial cell membrane. Scanning electron microscopy showed that a stable bacterial biofilm had formed on the untreated cotton surface, but treatment with hyperbranched polymers prevented its formation. However, many bacteria were still observed on the fiber surface when the microbial test was performed in the dark, whereas only a few single bacteria were noticed after the illumination. A virucidal effect against respiratory viruses HRSV-2 and AAdV-5 was observed only after irradiation with sunlight. Full article

This study introduces an experimental method for evaluating the reflectivity of flexible textile materials under controlled lighting conditions. The proposed methodology employs a light booth and four standard illuminants (D65, TL84, Incandescent light A, and Department store light CWF), as well as a fixed-position lux meter to assess the reflective properties of textile samples with different knitted macrostructures. Each sample is measured against a black background, and reflectance is quantified as a ratio between the light intensity measured with and without the sample in place. The approach is especially relevant for the textile industry, as it provides valuable insights into the development of sustainable reflective materials for protective clothing and wearable technologies. By offering a repeatable, low-cost measurement technique, this method advances textile metrology, contributing to the optimization of material selection based on reflectivity needs and ensuring reliability across different lighting environments. This research supports the creation of more efficient, sustainable, and adaptive textiles. Full article

Accurate detection of textile composition is a major challenge for textile reuse/recycling. This paper investigates the feasibility of identification of textile materials using a Near Infra-Red (NIR) camera. A transportable metric has been defined which could be capable of identification and distinction between cotton and polyester. The NIR camera provides a single data value in the form of the “intensity” of the exposed light at each pixel across its 2D pixel array. The feasibility of textile material identification was investigated using a combination of various statistical methods to evaluate the output images from the NIR camera when a bandpass filter was attached to the camera’s lens. A repeatable and stable metric was identified and was shown to be independent of both the camera’s exposure setting and the physical illumination spread over the textiles. The average value of the identified metric for the most suitable bandpass filter was found to be 0.68 for cotton, with a maximum deviation of 2%, and 1.0 for polyester, with a maximum deviation of 1%. It was further shown that carbon black dye, a known challenge in the industry, was easily detectable by the system, and, using the proposed technique in this paper, areas that are not covered by carbon black dye can be identified and analysed. Full article

For the Norman kings of Sicily and the ecclesiastical authorities who ruled their dioceses, Byzantine art served as both a symbol of luxury and a model of prestige. Similarly to the mosaics of Palermo, Monreale, and Cefalú, as well as textiles and goldsmithing, the manuscripts preserved in the National Library of Madrid stand as prime examples of the fascination that the dignitaries of the Kingdom of Sicily had for Byzantine esthetics. Among these manuscripts, the Sacramentary of Messina (Madrid, BNE Ms. 52) is perhaps the most striking. This Latin sacramentary, comprising 303 folios, features illuminated initials, a calendar with depictions of classical topics, such as the Spinario and a compelling depiction of August inspired by the Byzantine Koimesis, the months and zodiac, and two full-page illustrations depicting the Virgin Glykophilousa, the Crucifixion, and the Deesis. This study has a dual focus. First, it aims to analyze the iconographic peculiarities of the monthly images in this Latin calendar. Second, it seeks to provide new insights into the manuscript’s patronage and its place of origin. In this context, one of the most striking and significant aspects of the sacramentary’s iconography is the prominent role of the Virgin, a theme that will also be examined in this study. Archbishop Richard Palmer emerges as the leading candidate to have been the driving force in the patronage of the manuscript to the Royal scriptoria of Palermo. Full article

Air pollution from volatile organic compounds poses significant environmental and public health issues due to their toxicity and persistence in the environment. In this context, this experimental study explored photocatalytic degradation as a promising approach for the degradation of two polluting fatty acids, butyraldehyde (BUTY) and isovaleraldehyde, utilizing a TiO₂ photocatalyst-supported nonluminous textile within a continuous planar reactor. The impact of varying airflow rates (2 to 6 m³/h), initial pollutant concentrations (10 to 60 mg/m³), and air relative humidity (5 to 90%) on oxidation performance and removal efficiency were systematically investigated. The following optimal conditions were identified: an inlet concentration of 10 mg/m³, an airflow rate of 2 m³/h, a catalyst mass of 25 g/m², a UV intensity of 2 W/m², and 50% RH. The luminous textile photocatalytic degradation exhibited notable effectiveness for BUTY removal. To enhance our understanding, a mass transfer model using the Langmuir–Hinshelwood approach as a kinetic model was developed. This modeling approach allowed us to determine kinetic adsorption and degradation constants, reasonably agreeing with the experimental data. This study provides valuable insights into applying nonluminous textile-supported TiO₂ photocatalysts for environmental pollutant removal in continuous planar reactors. Full article

Ultraviolet (UV) hyperspectral imaging shows significant promise for the classification and quality assessment of raw cotton, a key material in the textile industry. This study evaluates the efficacy of UV hyperspectral imaging (225–408 nm) using two different light sources: xenon arc (XBO) and deuterium lamps, in comparison to NIR hyperspectral imaging. The aim is to determine which light source provides better differentiation between cotton types in UV hyperspectral imaging, as each interacts differently with the materials, potentially affecting imaging quality and classification accuracy. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (QDA) were employed to differentiate between various cotton types and hemp plant. PCA for the XBO illumination revealed that the first three principal components (PCs) accounted for 94.8% of the total variance: PC1 (78.4%) and PC2 (11.6%) clustered the samples into four main groups—hemp (HP), recycled cotton (RcC), and organic cotton (OC) from the other cotton samples—while PC3 (6%) further separated RcC. When using the deuterium light source, the first three PCs explained 89.4% of the variance, effectively distinguishing sample types such as HP, RcC, and OC from the remaining samples, with PC3 clearly separating RcC. When combining the PCA scores with QDA, the classification accuracy reached 76.1% for the XBO light source and 85.1% for the deuterium light source. Furthermore, a deep learning technique called a fully connected neural network for classification was applied. The classification accuracy for the XBO and deuterium light sources reached 83.6% and 90.1%, respectively. The results highlight the ability of this method to differentiate conventional and organic cotton, as well as hemp, and to identify distinct types of recycled cotton, suggesting varying recycling processes and possible common origins with raw cotton. These findings underscore the potential of UV hyperspectral imaging, coupled with chemometric models, as a powerful tool for enhancing cotton classification accuracy in the textile industry. Full article

The use of cyclodextrins in textiles for the development of biofunctional fabrics represents an interesting alternative for the advancement of dental, medical, and hospital materials. Cyclodextrins can interact with the chemical groups present in cotton fibers, leading to the formation of a nanostructured surface with specific functional properties, including antibacterial activity. Although there are numerous antibacterial textile finishes, the use of methylene blue as a cyclodextrin host molecule for photodynamic applications in textile materials remains to be investigated. This is because methylene blue is a photosensitive dye capable of generating singlet oxygen (¹O₂) when illuminated, which inactivates the pathogenic microorganisms that may be present in wounds. The objective of this study was to develop a biofunctionalized and photoactivatable cotton fabric with antimicrobial properties for use in the cosmetic or medical industries. The materials obtained were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR), the determination of cotton fabric functionalization dyeing variables, colorimetry, UV-VIS spectrophotometry, degradation of 9,10-anthracenediyl-bis(methylene)dimalonic acid (ABDA), photodegradation tests, and microbiological analysis. The results showed that the textile was functionalized with β-cyclodextrin, mainly evidenced by the appearance of the band at 1730 cm⁻¹, indicating the formation of the ester group. Thus, when exposed to light, the non-functionalized material showed greater photobleaching, about 60%, compared to the material treated with cyclodextrin. This result was also reflected in the ABDA degradation kinetics, with the treated material showing 592.00% (first phase) and 966.20% (second phase) higher degradation than the untreated sample. Finally, the photodynamic activity was determined based on the antimicrobial properties of the textile, showing a reduction of more than 99% without exposure to light and 100% when exposed to light. It is believed that this study could open avenues for future research and the development of antimicrobial fabrics, as well as demonstrate the efficiency of the treatment with cyclodextrin in relation to photobleaching. Full article

The Japanese textile tradition is renowned for its intricate designs achieved through a variety of dyeing techniques, including kasuri, shibori, and paste-resist dyeing. These techniques are often combined within a single textile, resulting in exceptionally elaborate creations. Our paper delves into the technical aspects and complexities of these methods, highlighting the dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation in Japanese textile production. Our scientific endeavour focused on some textiles dating between the 19th and 20th centuries and belonging to the Montgomery Collection of Japanese folk art. Employing non-invasive techniques such as visible reflectance spectroscopy and ER-FTIR spectroscopy, we uncovered key insights into the materials and methods utilized in the creation of these textiles. Our analysis revealed a diverse array of pigments and dyes, including plant-derived, inorganic, and synthetic variants. These findings illuminate the cultural syncretism between traditional Japanese practices and the adoption of new materials from the West, underscoring the dynamic nature of textile production in Japan. Furthermore, ER-FTIR spectroscopy elucidated the predominant use of cotton as the primary fibre in the textiles, aligning with historical records of Japan’s role as a major producer of cotton yarn. Analysis of white areas within the textiles revealed evidence of resist-paste dyeing techniques, particularly tsutsugaki and katazome, through the absence of dye penetration and the characteristic appearance of white lines. Confirmation of indigo dyeing techniques (aizome) was achieved through ER-FTIR spectroscopy, providing reliable identification of indigo and Prussian blue in various shades of blue present in the textiles. Additionally, the detection of Western-derived dyeing method (utsushi-yūzen) and free-hand painting (kaki-e), offers insights into the diversity of dyeing practices employed by Japanese artisans. The presence of proteinaceous materials and synthetic dyes observed in some textiles has implications for conservation practices, suggesting the need for tailored approaches to ensure the preservation of these culturally significant artifacts. Overall, these scientific results shed new light on the materials, techniques, and cultural contexts underlying Japanese textile production, advancing our understanding of this rich artistic heritage and informing future research endeavours in textile science and conservation. Full article

Electroluminescence (EL) is an innovative technology in the lighting area. EL devices’ main structure consists of a phosphor layer sandwiched between two electrodes. In this work, several alternating-current EL devices were developed by applying a set of sequential layers with combinations of in-house prepared inks and a commercially available ink as the phosphor layer. A flexible polyester textile substrate was functionalized with the inks by spray coating, after knife coating an interfacial layer directly on the surface. A thorough study was carried out on the phosphor layer composition to optimize the EL device performance, more precisely, illuminance intensity and illuminance homogeneity. The developed phosphor layer was composed of zinc sulfide doped with copper (between 30.0 and 38.1 wt%) and diluted by using a diluent at different concentrations (from 28.0 to 35.5 wt%). The best peak illuminance intensity of 61 lux was obtained when the phosphor ink presented a 35.4% ZnS:Cu ratio and was diluted with 33.0% diluent. This study aimed to determine the best formulation of the phosphor layer, which can be highly useful for further developments of EL devices, taking into account different applications in the market. Full article

Porosity, the measure of the open spaces within a fabric structure, is a decisive factor in the performance of textiles. It influences breathability, permeability to liquids or gases, and suitability for various industries such as apparel, medical, and technical textiles. This study compares classical porosity calculation methods with non-destructive image analysis for 24 woven fabric samples that differ in density and weave pattern. Factors such as fabric density, weave pattern, illumination conditions, magnification, and the influence of the Otsu and Yen threshold algorithms were considered. The multifactor ANOVA statistical analysis shows that fabric density and weave pattern significantly influence porosity, with illumination playing an important role, while the threshold algorithm has a minor influence. A strong correlation is found between the actual fabric porosity and the results of the image analysis, except for double-sided illumination (reflective and transmissive), where the correlation is weakest. This comprehensive investigation provides valuable insights into the reliability of different porosity assessment approaches, which is essential for applications in various textile industries. Full article

Poly(styrene-methyl methacrylate-acrylic acid) photonic crystals (PCs), with five different sizes (170, 190, 210, 230 and 250 nm), were applied onto three plain fabrics, namely polyamide, polyester and cotton. The PC-coated fabrics were analyzed using scanning electronic microscopy and two UV/Vis reflectance spectrophotometric techniques (integrating sphere and scatterometry) to evaluate the PCs’ self-assembly along with the obtained spectral and colors characteristics. Results showed that surface roughness of the fabrics had a major influence on the color produced by PCs. Polyamide-coated fabrics were the only samples having an iridescent effect, producing more vivid and brilliant colors than polyester and cotton samples. It was observed that as the angle of incident light increases, a hypsochromic shift in the reflection peak occurs along with the formation of new reflection peaks. Furthermore, color behavior simulations were performed with an illuminant A light source on polyamide samples. The illuminant A simulation showed greener and yellower structural colors than those illuminated with D50. The polyester and cotton samples were analyzed using scatterometry to check for iridescence, which was unseen upon ocular inspection and then proven to be present in these samples. This work allowed a better comprehension of how structural colors and their iridescence are affected by the textile substrate morphology and fiber type. Full article

The growing worldwide problem of wastewater management needs sustainable methods for conserving water supplies while addressing environmental and economic considerations. With the depletion of freshwater supplies, wastewater treatment has become critical. An effective solution is needed to efficiently treat the organic contaminants departing from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Photocatalysis appears to be a viable method for eliminating these recalcitrant micropollutants. This study is focused on the degradation of Reactive Black 5 (RB5), a typical contaminant from textile waste, using a photocatalytic method. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) was deposited on a novel luminous fabric and illuminated using a light-emitting diode (LED). The pollutant degrading efficiency was evaluated for two different light sources: (i) a UV lamp as an external light source and (ii) a cold LED. Interestingly, the LED UV source design showed more promising results after thorough testing at various light levels. In fact, we note a 50% increase in mineralization rate when we triple the number of luminous tissues in the same volume of reactor, which showed a clear improvement with an increase in compactness. Full article

Silk fiber, recognized as a versatile bioresource, holds wide-ranging significance in agriculture and the textile industry. During the breeding of silkworms to yield new varieties, optical sensing techniques have been employed to distinguish the colors of silk cocoons, aiming to assess their improved suitability across diverse industries. Despite visual comparison retaining its primary role in differentiating colors among a range of silk fibers, the presence of uneven surface texture leads to color distortion and inconsistent color perception at varying viewing angles. As a result, these distorted and inconsistent visual assessments contribute to unnecessary fiber wastage within the textile industry. To solve these issues, we have devised an optical system employing an integrating sphere to deliver consistent and uniform illumination from all orientations. Utilizing a ColorChecker, we calibrated the RGB values of silk cocoon images taken within the integrating sphere setup. This process accurately extracts the authentic RGB values of the silk cocoons. Our study not only helps in unraveling the intricate color of silk cocoons but also presents a unique approach applicable to various specimens with uneven surface textures. Full article

Water pollution has emerged as a major global environmental crisis due to the massive contamination of water resources by the textile dyeing industry, organic waste, and agricultural residue. Since water is fundamental to life, this grave disregard puts lives at risk, making the protection of water resources a serious issue today. Recent research has shown great interest in improving the photocatalytic performance of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) for wastewater treatment. However, the photocatalytic removal activity of pure g-C₃N₄ is poor, owing to its minimal surface area, fast recombination of photo-generated electron–hole pairs, and poor light absorption. Recently, titanate perovskites (TNPs) have attracted significant attention in both environmental remediation and energy conversion due to their exceptional structural, optical, physiochemical, electrical, and thermal properties. Accordingly, TNPs can initiate a variety of surface catalytic reactions and are regarded as an emerging category of photocatalysts for sustainability and energy-related industries when exposed to illumination. Therefore, in this review article, we critically discuss the recent developments of extensively developed g-C₃N₄/TNPs that demonstrate photocatalytic applications for wastewater treatment. The different synthetic approaches and the chemical composition of g-C₃N₄/TNP composites are presented. Additionally, this review highlights the global research trends related to these materials. Furthermore, this review provides insight into the various photocatalytic mechanisms, including their potential impact and significance. Also, the challenges faced by such materials and their future scope are discussed. Full article

Instantaneous heart rate (IHR) has been investigated for sleep applications, such as sleep apnea detection and sleep staging. To ensure the comfort of the patient during sleep, it is desirable for IHR to be measured in a contact-free fashion. In this work, we use speckle vibrometry (SV) to perform on-skin and on-textile IHR monitoring in a sleep setting. Minute motions on the laser-illuminated surface can be captured by a defocused camera, enabling the detection of cardiac motions even on textiles. We investigate supine, lateral, and prone sleeping positions. Based on Bland–Altman analysis between SV cardiac measurements and electrocardiogram (ECG), with respect to each position, we achieve the best limits of agreement with ECG values of [−8.65, 7.79] bpm, [−9.79, 9.25] bpm, and [−10.81, 10.23] bpm, respectively. The results indicate the potential of using speckle vibrometry as a contact-free monitoring method for instantaneous heart rate in a setting where the participant is allowed to rest in a spontaneous position while covered by textile layers. Full article