Search Results (853)

To overcome the limitations imposed by the intermittent nature of sunlight in photocatalytic applications, this research constructs a round-the-clock purification system. We integrated an optimized S-scheme CoFe₂O₄/BiVO₄ (CFO/BV) heterojunction (synthesized via ultrasonic self-assembly at a 0.5:0.5 ratio) with a thermal energy storage (TES) unit consisting of SiO₂-encapsulated Na₂SO₄·10H₂O phase change materials (PCMs). Comprehensive characterization techniques, including XRD, HRTEM, UV-Vis DRS, EPR, and DSC, confirmed the successful formation of the interface, a broadened visible-light response (λ > 650 nm), efficient radical production, and a high latent heat storage capacity (>200 J/g). Under simulated solar irradiation, the composite exhibited superior performance, degrading 98% of the Rhodamine B within 6 h (k = 0.00994 min⁻¹), significantly surpassing single-component counterparts. More importantly, during the subsequent 12 h dark period, the heat released from the PCM maintained the reaction temperature above 35 °C, driving a 64% degradation efficiency via a thermocatalytic pathway. The system demonstrated robust stability (>90% efficiency after five cycles), excellent magnetic recoverability (98%), and high tolerance to saline textile wastewater (<10% activity loss). Furthermore, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) indicated a 40% reduction in energy consumption compared to conventional UV/TiO₂ processes, highlighting a sustainable strategy for continuous wastewater remediation through synergistic photocatalysis and thermocatalysis. Full article

The global textile industry, challenged by resource depletion and environmental pollution, urgently requires a shift toward a circular economy. However, recycling efforts remain limited, focusing mainly on conventional fibers and neglecting high-performance materials like aramid. This study addresses the recycling of used firefighting protective clothing-an aramid-rich, high-turnover waste stream typically landfilled or incinerated. Life cycle assessment reveals the significant carbon footprint of its production and disposal, underscoring the need for circular strategies. A systematic recycling framework is established, integrating collection logistics and redesign principles. A graded “three-tier” approach is proposed, enabling direct reuse, yarn regeneration, and non-woven production based on material conditions. High-value products were developed by incorporating firefighting heritage and intangible cultural crafts into the design, supported by digital product passports for traceability. These strategies enhanced market acceptance and emotional value. The work provides a scalable circular solution for high-performance textiles, aiming to extend material life, reduce carbon emissions, and advance sustainable textile management through a novel combination of technical recycling and cultural value addition. Full article

The identification/classification of textile fibres is essential in manufacturing, forensic science, cultural heritage preservation, and recycling. Conventional methods, including solubility tests, optical microscopy, and chromatographic techniques, are often destructive, labour-intensive, and limited in scope. Vibrational spectroscopy, particularly near-infrared (NIR), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy, has emerged as a rapid, non-destructive, and accurate alternative for fibre analysis. However, multi-composition textiles, dyes, finishing agents, and ageing effects frequently cause overlapping spectral features, hampering direct interpretation. This review examines the combined use of vibrational spectroscopy and chemometrics for textile fibre discrimination. It critically evaluates the performance of different spectroscopic techniques in classifying natural, synthetic, and blended fibres. The role of multivariate analysis methods, such as PCA, PLS, LDA, SIMCA, and machine learning algorithms, in improving spectral interpretation and classification accuracy is highlighted. Key factors affecting model robustness, including spectral pre-processing, sample heterogeneity, moisture, and colour, are also discussed. The integration of spectroscopy with chemometrics provides a robust, scalable, and sustainable solution for fibre identification, supporting quality control, fraud detection, and circular economy initiatives. This approach demonstrates significant potential for both research and industrial applications. Full article

Textile materials represent a versatile class of engineering substrates widely used in apparel, domestic products, and medical protective systems. Despite their extensive application, large-scale textile production has seen limited integration of fundamentally new functionalization strategies. In recent years, however, advances in materials science have enabled the development of textiles with tailored electrical, adaptive, and biological functionalities. This review summarizes recent progress in the functionalization of textile materials with a focus on approaches relevant to engineering and industrial implementation. Particular attention is given to conductive textiles designed for operation under extreme environmental conditions, including low-temperature climates. Methods for integrating electrically conductive elements into fibrous structures are discussed, highlighting their potential for sensing, thermal regulation, and energy-related applications such as powering portable electronic devices. Inkjet printing is presented as a scalable technique for high-resolution deposition of conductive patterns while preserving the mechanical integrity and aesthetic properties of textile substrates. In addition, adaptive and stimuli-responsive textile systems are reviewed, including materials capable of responding to thermal, optical, or chemical stimuli, with applications in camouflage, wearable systems, and multifunctional surfaces. The review further addresses the development of bioactive textiles, emphasizing antibacterial functionalization using organic and inorganic agents to mitigate the spread of pathogenic microorganisms. The relevance of such materials has been underscored by recent global viral outbreaks. Overall, this work aims to provide a materials science perspective on emerging textile functionalization strategies and to facilitate the transition of these technologies from laboratory-scale research to practical engineering applications. Full article

This study investigates the development of workwear designed to withstand harsh conditions and support physically demanding tasks. Its central aim is to create garments that enhance workers’ comfort and mobility by optimizing ergonomic and anthropometric factors. First of all, expert surveys were collected, and the importance of posture adaptability and material comfort was highlighted. To investigate realistic body–garment interactions, the 3D body scans of the upper body from 34 participants in common working poses were captured. These scans revealed the zones of high deformation, guiding the placement of elastic inserts to improve flexibility in targeted areas. The redesigned garments underwent a two-stage evaluation process. First, Clo3D virtual fittings provided qualitative insights into overall jacket fit and movement behavior. Next, stress and strain mapping offered quantitative validation, showing that fabric stress levels remained below 120 kPa, providing evidence that the added elasticity effectively reduced mechanical load and improved wearability. Expert reviewers confirmed the enhanced fit and functional performance. Overall, the study demonstrates an integrated design strategy that unites textile behavior, body dimensions and biomechanics. This approach not only improves workwear but also offers a transferable framework for developing specialized clothing across other physically intensive professions. Full article

Nowadays, synthetic textiles, widely used on the market and largely composed of polyester (polyethylene terephthalate, PET), release microplastic fiber fragments (MPFFs) into the environment, inducing repercussions on ecosystems and health. Reducing these emissions by understanding manufacturing’s influence on MPFF release represents an important challenge for sustainable textile manufacturing and eco-design. This study aims to identify key weaving process factors influencing MPFF release during the first wash, which ends up in wastewater. Employing a Taguchi design of experiments, 18 fabrics were produced on industrial machines from polyester filaments, with different warp and weft densities, weaving patterns, and production speeds. Following identical black dyeing and finishing treatments, the range of the average quantity of MPFF released per fabric varies from 221 mg/kg to 753 mg/kg with an overall mean value of 451 mg/kg across all trials. Among the investigated parameters, warp yarn density and weaving pattern emerged as the most influential factors, accounting for the largest variations in MPFF release. Increasing warp density from 40 to 60 yarns/cm resulted in a substantial increase in MPFF emission, while the 3/1 sateen weave exhibited significantly lower MPFF release compared to plain and ottoman weaves. In contrast, weft density and weft insertion speed showed limited influence relative to experimental variability. No clear correlation was observed between the number of filaments in the weft yarn and MPFF release. These results show that the higher the surface mass, the cover factor, and the drape coefficient, the higher the release of MPFFs. This study shows that it is possible to limit the amount of microfibers generated by textiles by controlling the design and production of fabrics. The results support the integration of microplastic mitigation criteria into sustainable textile engineering and industrial eco-design frameworks. Nevertheless, the complexity of the release mechanisms and potential interactions between factors highlights the importance of conducting further research to determine the specific fabric characteristics that influence MPFF release. Full article

Conductive thread is an integral aspect of smart textiles in the domain of electronic textiles (e-textiles). This study unveils the development of twelve distinct variants of conductive threads using the twisting method: the fusion of copper filament with cotton and polyester threads. The threads are coated with a carbon paste solution enriched with dissolved sea salt. The carbon paste is obtained from non-functional dry cell batteries, conventionally categorized as hazardous electronic waste (e-waste), which underscores an economically viable and environmentally sustainable approach. Experiments proved that each variant demonstrates minimal electrical resistance. The lowest resistance, 0.0164 ± 0.0001 Ω/cm, was achieved by Carbon-Coated Cotton Twisted Copper Thread-II. Comparative evaluation with commercially available conductive threads, including Bekaert Bekinox^® VN type (12/1x275/100z), indicated comparable or moderately lower resistance values for the developed copper-based threads. Mechanical–electrical stability under bending, twisting, and wash–dry cycles confirmed consistent conductive performance with minimal resistance variation. Practical demonstrations further validated the integration of the threads into fabric-based flexible circuits and wearable electronic systems. These findings demonstrate that twisted copper-based conductive threads derived from sustainable coating materials provide a promising alternative for smart textile and wearable electronic applications. Future research should focus on scalable fabrication, enhanced coating fixation, and long-term durability assessment. Full article

Textile wastewater contains recalcitrant azo dyes and auxiliary chemicals that are resistant to conventional biological treatment, resulting in persistent organic pollution in aquatic ecosystems. While supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) achieves superior chromophore mineralization, its high energy requirements limit industrial scalability. Conversely, biomass-derived activated carbon (BAC) offers a low-cost adsorption solution, but it rapidly becomes saturated with toxic oxidation intermediates. Notably, the literature lacks systematic analyses of hybrid SCWO-BAC systems with integrated thermal energy, which represents a crucial gap in assessing their economic feasibility. This review employed a systematic methodology, selecting studies relevant to the topic from peer-reviewed publications and databases, including Scopus, SciELO, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, for critical synthesis. Using SCWO as a pretreatment (which significantly reduces COD load), followed by BAC polishing, results in superior detoxification compared to individual processes. However, three barriers hinder scale-up: (i) chloride ion corrosion in real effluents; (ii) irreversible collapse of BAC pores after multiple regeneration cycles; and (iii) absence of standardized ecotoxicity data for hybrid-treated streams. This work outlines a technological roadmap for integrated supercritical water oxidation and biological activated carbon (SCWO-BAC) systems, targeting economically viable operational parameters for industrial-scale implementation. Full article

The digital transformation of the textile industry poses unique challenges due to its labor-intensive processes, complex global supply chains, and coexistence of traditional methods and emerging technologies. Despite the urgency of this transition, existing digital maturity models lack sector-specific frameworks and often fail to integrate multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodologies for quantitative performance assessment. This study addresses these gaps by proposing a novel digital maturity model tailored specifically to the textile sector. The research employs an integrated decision-making framework using the Method Based on the Removal Effects of Criteria (MEREC) to determine objective criterion weights and the Operational Competitiveness Rating Analysis (OCRA) method to rank firm-level digital maturity performance. The findings indicate that Strategy is the most influential dimension, whereas Technology receives the lowest weight. At the sub-criterion level, Management Support, Market Analysis, and Vision and Strategic Awareness are the most critical factors, while Technology Usage Competency is less influential. The performance evaluation shows that Company A3 achieves the highest level of digital maturity, whereas Company A2 ranks lowest. The robustness of the proposed framework is comprehensively validated through a scenario-based sensitivity analysis and a comparative evaluation using the Additive Ratio Assessment System (ARAS) method. Overall, the results suggest that successful digital transformation in the textile sector depends primarily on strategic vision and managerial support rather than on technological infrastructure alone. Full article

This study investigates pure and Ag-doped SrMoO₄ powders (Sr_1−xAg_xMoO₄, x = 0, 0.01, 0.07), focusing on structural, optical, and functional properties. We evaluate its photocatalytic performance, capacitance response in lactate solution and water, and antimicrobial activity in textiles. The diffraction patterns could be indexed to the pure tetragonal phase SrMoO₄. The doping of SrMoO₄ with Ag⁺ ions affects the morphology and particle size of the samples designed by co-precipitation. SrMoO₄ pure and Ag⁺-doped samples exhibited promising results in detecting water and lactate solutions, as well as photocatalysis. Pure SrMoO₄ was more efficient in the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) than the sample doped with Ag⁺. Among the bactericidal test results, sample SMO:0.01-P4, without light, in S. aureus, and SMO:0.07-P3, with light in E. coli, showed a slight distance from the inhibition halo. These results suggest that the treated textile may possess a characteristic bactericidal capacity that deserves further exploration. This comprehensive analysis offers insights into the structure–function relationship of SrMoO₄:Ag and advances the development of multifunctional materials. Full article

This study presents the development of a three-dimensional (3D) filament assembly model for predicting the air permeability of woven fabrics composed of spun yarns. To address the limitations of conventional single-line yarn models, the proposed framework incorporates fiber-level geometric representations using non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) and simulates multiple weave patterns—including plain, basket, twill, and rib—under various set density configurations. Each yarn was modeled with accurate filament distribution and cross-sectional layering, enabling the construction of realistic unit-cell-based CAD geometries. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed using the k-ε turbulence model in SolidWorks Flow Simulation and validated against experimental measurements conducted under ISO 9237:1995 conditions. The filament assembly model achieved high predictive accuracy, exhibiting a lower of percentage prediction errors than the single-line yarn path model, thereby more effectively capturing airflow behavior through inter-yarn and intra-yarn pores. These findings highlight the capability of integrated CAD/CFD methodologies for virtual prototyping of breathable textiles and provide a robust foundation for high-precision performance prediction in functional and technical fabric design. Full article

The rapid growth of synthetic textile production has intensified the release of micro- and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) into aquatic environments, primarily through industrial effluents and domestic laundering. Textile-derived microplastics, especially polyester fibers and polymeric coating fragments, constitute a significant fraction of plastic contamination in wastewater systems. Although wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can remove a large proportion of MPs, substantial quantities accumulate in sewage sludge, raising concerns about long-term environmental persistence and secondary release pathways. This review critically examines the sources, classification, and release mechanisms of textile-based micro- and nanoplastics, including fibrous debris and coating-derived fragments. Then it focuses on current identification and removal technologies, such as sedimentation, coagulation/flocculation, electrocoagulation, flotation, membrane filtration, adsorption, and biodegradation, and on the emerging strategy of converting recovered microplastics into value-added porous carbon materials via hydrothermal treatment and pyrolysis. Carbonized microplastics exhibit high surface area and adsorption capacity for dyes, heavy metals, and organic pollutants, offering a circular approach that simultaneously mitigates plastic pollution and enhances wastewater treatment efficiency. By integrating source control, optimized removal technologies, and carbonization-based valorization, this review proposes a dual-benefit framework that transforms textile-derived microplastic waste from an environmental liability into a functional resource for sustainable water purification. Full article

Extracting standardized digital design patterns from real knitted fabric images is critical for textile reverse engineering and digital archiving. Unlike smooth graphics, knitted fabrics exhibit high-frequency textures from yarn loop interlacing, introducing significant grayscale variations within same-color regions. Existing algorithms struggle to distinguish these from pattern edges, causing color quantization and segmentation failures. To suppress yarn texture while preserving edges between color blocks, we propose an adaptive pattern extraction method using Bayesian-optimized bilateral filtering. The primary contribution lies in providing a domain-specific, application-focused integrated framework. Specifically, (1) a knitting-texture-aware multidimensional evaluation parameter is constructed by integrating physical-cause-based texture features (gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) contrast, homogeneity, and Laplacian variance) with perception-based edge preservation metrics (the Sobel operator and the structural similarity index (SSIM)), enabling accurate discrimination between yarn-level texture noise and pattern-level color block boundaries—a distinction that generic image quality metrics cannot make. (2) Then, this domain-specific objective function is embedded within a Bayesian optimization framework to achieve automatic, zero-shot, per-image parameter adaptation across different knitting processes, without requiring any external training data. K-means color quantization maps in continuous tones to discrete classes, generating standardized patterns meeting knitting requirements. Experiments on 316 samples covering six processes show our method outperforms standard denoising and advanced algorithms like relative total variation (RTV), achieving an average SSIM of 0.83 and PSNR of 26.92 dB, reducing processing time from 15–30 min to 21 s per image, providing efficient automation for knitted Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems. Full article

Textile-to-textile recycling is increasingly recognised as essential to reduce the environmental footprint of the textile sector, yet fibre-to-fibre routes remain constrained by complex composition of fibre blends, chemical finishes and the degradation of fibre quality during repeated processing. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recycling strategies for major textile fibres, cotton, polyester, viscose, polyamide, and wool, from a fibre-level perspective, highlighting the relationships between fibre chemistry, structure, and recyclability. Mechanical, chemical, and biological recycling routes are analysed with a particular focus on fibre integrity, yarn and fabric performance, and their suitability for industrial textile applications rather than solely on waste management aspects. The review also examines industrial initiatives and emerging technologies driving the transition towards circular textile systems, critically identifying key barriers such as feedstock heterogeneity, fibre blending, and downcycling. Building on existing review articles on textile recycling, this work synthesises current knowledge on fibre-to-fibre routes, compares different process options in terms of recycled-fibre quality and scalability, and highlights remaining technological and implementation gaps. To advance textile circularity, integrated recycling frameworks are proposed that align material design, process optimisation, and policy instruments. This work contributes a cross-disciplinary understanding of how fibre-level innovation can enable resource-efficient, closed-loop textile production, offering a roadmap for future sustainable materials engineering in industrial textile systems. Full article

The transition to circular models in fashion and textiles requires changes that go beyond technical innovation. The literature recognises that systemic change depends on the transformation of shared meanings around consumption and production, and that spaces for co-design and collaborative learning are crucial to generating this transformation. This article documents how Living Labs operate in this capacity, analysing the Madeback Circular Fashion Festival (May–November 2025), a pilot project of the Fashion & Textile Living Lab at the Politecnico di Milano. The study employs the Living Lab Integrative Process (LLIP) as both a design framework and an analytical lens. Adopting a qualitative and participatory method, the study documents how the three spaces of the LLIP—Problem Space, Solution Space and Implementation Space—simultaneously structured both design innovation and empirical analysis. The results point to three main contributions: (i) Living Labs can function as cultural infrastructures in which performative and narrative dimensions may contribute to the gradual normalisation of alternative practices; (ii) the Quadruple Helix operates as a living process characterised by distributed intentionality and emerging trust; and (iii) transformative learning appears through the co-production of knowledge in embodied and relational practices. The article identifies contextual factors that enabled the project—from its location in a design university to its multi-year funding—and the related constraints on transferability, concluding that Living Labs are promising infrastructures for sustainable transitions when they consciously integrate performative, cultural and relational dimensions. Full article