Our focus
The key research areas of the Sustainable & Functional Textiles Research Group include:
Sustainable Textiles
This line of research focuses on studying the opportunities and challenges for a circular and more sustainable textile industry. Our Circular Textile Lab enables rapid prototyping of circular textiles, using both recycled and virgin materials. We carry out a wide range of projects relating to the circular textile value chain in close collaboration with industry partners. For instance, the use of spectroscopic analytical tools for sorting textiles, optimising chemical and mechanical recycling processes and investigating different applications of recycled fibres in yarns and fabrics.
Functional Textiles
Functional textiles are having a major impact in a wide range of sectors: from fashion to technical applications. In healthcare, they are paving the way for smart clothing that can monitor vital signs, accelerate wound healing and provide therapeutic benefits. The integration of smart materials in textiles is bringing a new level of interaction between textiles and the environment, leading to improved user experiences and new applications.