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This study aims to investigate the effect of alkalization and chemical coupling methods on the surface and adsorption properties of waste cotton and cotton/polyester yarns. The simple and cheap alkali treatment was performed using 10% and 18% NaOH solution, while the chemical coupling method involved combining cotton and cotton/polyester yarns and fly ash, using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and sodium alginate as binders. Morphological and surface characteristics of unmodified and modified cotton and cotton/polyester yarns were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, while adsorption properties were assessed by the removal of lead and cadmium ions from aqueous solution. It was found that chemical modification with 18% NaOH solution positively affected the adsorption properties of only cotton yarns, increasing the removal efficiency of lead ions up to 75%. On the other hand, modification with fly ash improves the adsorption properties of both, cotton and cotton/polyester yarns, increasing the efficiency in removing lead ions by using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and cadmium ions by using alginate as a binder. Using the chemical coupling method, effective adsorbents are obtained starting from waste yarn, which gives it added value, the amount of non-degradable waste material can be reduced and the criteria of a cleaner environment and circular economy can be met.

Cool-touch nylon multi-filament yarns with good heat transfer performance are widely used in the development of knitted fabrics for summer and sports clothing. However, the physical properties of cool-touch nylon fibres, and the effect of fineness and cross-section on comfort-related properties of their knitted fabrics are still not well understood. In this study, the physical properties of cool-touch nylon fibres and common nylon fibres, and comfort properties of knitted fabrics from both fibre types were measured and compared. It was found that cool-touch nylon fibres have better moisture absorption, but slightly lower crystallinity than common nylon fibres. Regarding the fibre fineness and cross-section of cool-touch nylon and common nylon, knitted fabrics showed a similar dependence on thermal comfort properties. Cool-touch nylon fabrics had increased wicking capacity, thermal transfer, and cooling properties, but poorer drying performance and moisture permeability compared to common nylon fabrics. It was concluded that using nylon multi-filament yarns made up of finer filaments and cool touch filaments is an effective way to develop thermal-wet comfort knitted fabrics for summer and sports clothing applications.

Postprint (published version)

Nonconductive commercial viscose yarns have been coated with a commercial conducting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) layer providing electrical conductivity which allowed a second coating of the electroactive conducting polymer polypyrrole through electropolymerization to develop textile yarns actuators. To simplify the PEDOT coating process and at the same time make this process more suitable for application in industry, a new coating method is developed and the properties of the PEDOT-PSS conducting layer is optimized, paying attention on its effect on the actuation performance. The effect of the concentration of an additive such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on actuation, and of PEDOT:PSS layers, is investigated. Results show that on improving this conducting layer, better performance than previously developed yarn-actuators is obtained, with strains up to 0.6%. This study provides a simple and efficient fabrication method toward soft, textile-based actuators for wearables and assistive devices with improved features., Funding agencies: The authors acknowledge the Erling-Persson Family Foundation,Promobilia Foundation (F17603), Union’s Horizon 2020 research andinnovation program under grant agreement no. 825232 “WEAFING”for their nancial support. E.W.H.J. acknowledges nancial support fromthe Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science onFunctional Materials at Linköping University (Faculty Grant SFO Mat LiUNo. 2009 00971). F.E-T. acknowledges Universidad Tecnica de Ambato(UTA-FCIAL-UODIDE-2018-0047-M) for the financial support.

Nonconductive commercial viscose yarns have been coated with a commercial conducting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) layer providing electrical conductivity which allowed a second coating of the electroactive conducting polymer polypyrrole through electropolymerization to develop textile yarns actuators. To simplify the PEDOT coating process and at the same time make this process more suitable for application in industry, a new coating method is developed and the properties of the PEDOT-PSS conducting layer is optimized, paying attention on its effect on the actuation performance. The effect of the concentration of an additive such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on actuation, and of PEDOT:PSS layers, is investigated. Results show that on improving this conducting layer, better performance than previously developed yarn-actuators is obtained, with strains up to 0.6%. This study provides a simple and efficient fabrication method toward soft, textile-based actuators for wearables and assistive devices with improved features., Funding agencies: The authors acknowledge the Erling-Persson Family Foundation,Promobilia Foundation (F17603), Union’s Horizon 2020 research andinnovation program under grant agreement no. 825232 “WEAFING”for their nancial support. E.W.H.J. acknowledges nancial support fromthe Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science onFunctional Materials at Linköping University (Faculty Grant SFO Mat LiUNo. 2009 00971). F.E-T. acknowledges Universidad Tecnica de Ambato(UTA-FCIAL-UODIDE-2018-0047-M) for the financial support.

Nonconductive commercial viscose yarns have been coated with a commercial conducting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) layer providing electrical conductivity which allowed a second coating of the electroactive conducting polymer polypyrrole through electropolymerization to develop textile yarns actuators. To simplify the PEDOT coating process and at the same time make this process more suitable for application in industry, a new coating method is developed and the properties of the PEDOT-PSS conducting layer is optimized, paying attention on its effect on the actuation performance. The effect of the concentration of an additive such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on actuation, and of PEDOT:PSS layers, is investigated. Results show that on improving this conducting layer, better performance than previously developed yarn-actuators is obtained, with strains up to 0.6%. This study provides a simple and efficient fabrication method toward soft, textile-based actuators for wearables and assistive devices with improved features., Funding agencies: The authors acknowledge the Erling-Persson Family Foundation,Promobilia Foundation (F17603), Union’s Horizon 2020 research andinnovation program under grant agreement no. 825232 “WEAFING”for their nancial support. E.W.H.J. acknowledges nancial support fromthe Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science onFunctional Materials at Linköping University (Faculty Grant SFO Mat LiUNo. 2009 00971). F.E-T. acknowledges Universidad Tecnica de Ambato(UTA-FCIAL-UODIDE-2018-0047-M) for the financial support.

Nonconductive commercial viscose yarns have been coated with a commercial conducting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) layer providing electrical conductivity which allowed a second coating of the electroactive conducting polymer polypyrrole through electropolymerization to develop textile yarns actuators. To simplify the PEDOT coating process and at the same time make this process more suitable for application in industry, a new coating method is developed and the properties of the PEDOT-PSS conducting layer is optimized, paying attention on its effect on the actuation performance. The effect of the concentration of an additive such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on actuation, and of PEDOT:PSS layers, is investigated. Results show that on improving this conducting layer, better performance than previously developed yarn-actuators is obtained, with strains up to 0.6%. This study provides a simple and efficient fabrication method toward soft, textile-based actuators for wearables and assistive devices with improved features., Funding agencies: The authors acknowledge the Erling-Persson Family Foundation,Promobilia Foundation (F17603), Union’s Horizon 2020 research andinnovation program under grant agreement no. 825232 “WEAFING”for their nancial support. E.W.H.J. acknowledges nancial support fromthe Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science onFunctional Materials at Linköping University (Faculty Grant SFO Mat LiUNo. 2009 00971). F.E-T. acknowledges Universidad Tecnica de Ambato(UTA-FCIAL-UODIDE-2018-0047-M) for the financial support.

Nonconductive commercial viscose yarns have been coated with a commercial conducting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) layer providing electrical conductivity which allowed a second coating of the electroactive conducting polymer polypyrrole through electropolymerization to develop textile yarns actuators. To simplify the PEDOT coating process and at the same time make this process more suitable for application in industry, a new coating method is developed and the properties of the PEDOT-PSS conducting layer is optimized, paying attention on its effect on the actuation performance. The effect of the concentration of an additive such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on actuation, and of PEDOT:PSS layers, is investigated. Results show that on improving this conducting layer, better performance than previously developed yarn-actuators is obtained, with strains up to 0.6%. This study provides a simple and efficient fabrication method toward soft, textile-based actuators for wearables and assistive devices with improved features., Funding agencies: The authors acknowledge the Erling-Persson Family Foundation,Promobilia Foundation (F17603), Union’s Horizon 2020 research andinnovation program under grant agreement no. 825232 “WEAFING”for their nancial support. E.W.H.J. acknowledges nancial support fromthe Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science onFunctional Materials at Linköping University (Faculty Grant SFO Mat LiUNo. 2009 00971). F.E-T. acknowledges Universidad Tecnica de Ambato(UTA-FCIAL-UODIDE-2018-0047-M) for the financial support.

Nonconductive commercial viscose yarns have been coated with a commercial conducting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) layer providing electrical conductivity which allowed a second coating of the electroactive conducting polymer polypyrrole through electropolymerization to develop textile yarns actuators. To simplify the PEDOT coating process and at the same time make this process more suitable for application in industry, a new coating method is developed and the properties of the PEDOT-PSS conducting layer is optimized, paying attention on its effect on the actuation performance. The effect of the concentration of an additive such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on actuation, and of PEDOT:PSS layers, is investigated. Results show that on improving this conducting layer, better performance than previously developed yarn-actuators is obtained, with strains up to 0.6%. This study provides a simple and efficient fabrication method toward soft, textile-based actuators for wearables and assistive devices with improved features., Funding agencies: The authors acknowledge the Erling-Persson Family Foundation,Promobilia Foundation (F17603), Union’s Horizon 2020 research andinnovation program under grant agreement no. 825232 “WEAFING”for their nancial support. E.W.H.J. acknowledges nancial support fromthe Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science onFunctional Materials at Linköping University (Faculty Grant SFO Mat LiUNo. 2009 00971). F.E-T. acknowledges Universidad Tecnica de Ambato(UTA-FCIAL-UODIDE-2018-0047-M) for the financial support.

In the actual globalized context in which the cross-fertilization among disciplines and different fields of project mixes together forms, systems and processes, Knitwear Design can make the difference in the production and in the consumption of the products. Actually they are real insights on the various issues that characterize this area; today designing in very specific areas such as Italian knitwear, made of artists, designers, spinners, companies, perpetually poised between tradition and manual industrial product, makes research a really complicated challenge. In contemporary scenarios knitwear design is a complex process, combining ancient techniques of traditional knowledge with experimentation and technological innovation. It’s a challenge that feeds the curiosity and the desire to seek more., No contexto globalizado de hoje, em que a fertilização cruzada entre diferentes disciplinas e áreas de projeto é misturada gerando formas, sistemas e processos, Design de tecidos pode fazer a diferença na produção e consumo de produtos. Na realidade, são ideias reais sobre várias questões que caracterizam esta área. Atualmente o projeto em áreas muito específicas, como ponto de design de tecido italiano por artistas, designers, spinners, empresas continuamente entre tradição e manual do produto industrial, torna a pesquisa um desafio realmente difícil. Em cenários de design contemporâneo, tricô é um processo complexo que combina técnicas tradicionais antigos de conhecimento através da experimentação e inovação tecnológica. É um desafio que alimenta a curiosidade e o desejo de procurar ainda mais., En el contexto globalizado actual en el que la fertilización cruzada entre disciplinas y diferentes campos de proyecto se mezcla generando formas, sistemas y procesos, el diseño de Tejidos de Punto puede marcar la diferencia en la producción y en el consumo de los productos. En realidad, son ideas reales sobre los diversos temas que caracterizan esta área. Actualmente el diseño en áreas muy específicas como diseño de tejido de punto italiano, realizado por artistas, diseñadores, hilanderos, empresas, continuamente entre la tradición y el producto manual industrial, hace de la investigación un desafío realmente complicado. En los escenarios contemporáneos el diseño de tejido de punto es un proceso complejo, que combina antiguas técnicas tradicionales de conocimiento con la experimentación y la innovación tecnológica. Es un desafío que alimenta la curiosidad y el deseo de buscar más.

Morssinkhof Rymoplast is een van de grootste recyclingbedrijven van plastics in Europa. De onderneming brengt verschillende kunststoffen terug tot flakes of granulaat. Ook probeert het bedrijf de productie van industriële garens op basis van rPET op gang te krijgen. 'Er liggen zeker kansen in hoogwaardige applicaties die meer op de B2C-markt zijn gericht.'

A new type of absorption-powered artificial muscle provides high performance without needing a temperature change. These muscles, comprising coiled carbon nanotube fibers infiltrated with silicone rubber, can contract up to 50% to generate up to 1.2 kJ kg−1. The drive mechanism for actuation is the rubber swelling during exposure to a nonpolar solvent. Theoretical energy efficiency conversion can be as high as 16%.

Highly twisted oriented polymer fibres and carbon nanotube yarns show large scale torsional actuation from volume expansion that can be induced, for example, thermally or by electrochemical charging. When formed into spring-like coils, the torsional actuation within the fibre or yarn generates powerful tensile actuation per muscle weight. For further development of these coil actuators and for the practical application of torsional actuators, it is important to standardise methods for characterising both the torsional stroke (rotation) and torque generated. By analogy with tensile actuators, we here introduce a method to measure both the free stroke and blocked torque in a one-end-tethered fibre. In addition, the torsional actuation can be measured when operating against an externally applied torque (isotonic) and actuation against a return spring fibre (variable torque). A theoretical treatment of torsional actuation was formulated using torsion mechanics and evaluated using a commercially available highly-oriented polyamide fibre. Good agreement between experimental measurements and calculated values was obtained. The analysis allows the prediction of torsional stroke under any external loading condition based on the fundamental characteristics of the actuator: free stroke and stiffness.

A new type of absorption-powered artificial muscle provides high performance without needing a temperature change. These muscles, comprising coiled carbon nanotube fibers infiltrated with silicone rubber, can contract up to 50% to generate up to 1.2 kJ kg−1. The drive mechanism for actuation is the rubber swelling during exposure to a nonpolar solvent. Theoretical energy efficiency conversion can be as high as 16%.

Highly twisted oriented polymer fibres and carbon nanotube yarns show large scale torsional actuation from volume expansion that can be induced, for example, thermally or by electrochemical charging. When formed into spring-like coils, the torsional actuation within the fibre or yarn generates powerful tensile actuation per muscle weight. For further development of these coil actuators and for the practical application of torsional actuators, it is important to standardise methods for characterising both the torsional stroke (rotation) and torque generated. By analogy with tensile actuators, we here introduce a method to measure both the free stroke and blocked torque in a one-end-tethered fibre. In addition, the torsional actuation can be measured when operating against an externally applied torque (isotonic) and actuation against a return spring fibre (variable torque). A theoretical treatment of torsional actuation was formulated using torsion mechanics and evaluated using a commercially available highly-oriented polyamide fibre. Good agreement between experimental measurements and calculated values was obtained. The analysis allows the prediction of torsional stroke under any external loading condition based on the fundamental characteristics of the actuator: free stroke and stiffness.

In this research, the effects of fibre, yarn and fabric parameters on the UV protective properties were studied, and the results were interpreted by various developed models. An optimised knitted fabric for a lightweight spring/summer application with high UV protection and good thermal comfort was proposed from this systematic investigation.

Recent developments in graphene oxide fibre (GO) processing include exciting demonstrations of hand woven textile structures. However, it is uncertain whether the fibres produced can meet the processing requirements of conventional textile manufacturing. This work reports for the first time the production of highly flexible and tough GO fibres that can be knitted using textile machinery. The GO fibres are made by using a dry-jet wet-spinning method, which allows drawing of the spinning solution (the GO dispersion) in several stages of the fibre spinning process. The coagulation composition and spinning conditions are evaluated in detail, which led to the production of densely packed fibres with near-circular cross-sections and highly ordered GO domains. The results are knittable GO fibres with Young's modulus of ~7.9 GPa, tensile strength of ~135.8 MPa, breaking strain of ~5.9%, and toughness of ~5.7 MJ m(-3). The combination of suitable spinning method, coagulation composition, and spinning conditions led to GO fibres with remarkable toughness; the key factor in their successful knitting. This work highlights important progress in realising the full potential of GO fibres as a new class of textile.

This study aimed to quantify the skin comfort and handle properties of a range of wool fabrics produced from ultrafine wool (13.7–15.1 µm) and in doing so determine if differences in fiber diameter and staple crimp frequency (5.3–7.1 crimps/cm) were important in these properties. The fabrics were evaluated using a range of subjective and objective measurement techniques, including the Wool ComfortMeter, the Wool HandleMeter and in wearer trials. This work indicated that single jersey fabrics made from ultrafine wool are approaching the limit of objective and subjective evaluation of next-to-skin comfort. The results from the Wool ComfortMeter, Wool HandleMeter and the wearer trial show that there were no significant effects that can be attributed to wool staple crimp (fiber curvature) in these ultrafine wool fabrics. The work also demonstrated a difference in the manufacturing response when knitted fabric made from wools of different fiber diameter (13.7–23.7 µm), and using yarns of the same count, resulted in a progressively higher fabric mass per unit area as mean fiber diameter was progressively reduced.

The demands for new configurations of electrochemical cells continue to grow and novel approaches are being enabled by the advent of new electromaterials and novel fabrication strategies. Wearable energy storage devices that can be seamlessly integrated into garments are a critical component of the wearable electronics genre. Recently, flexible yarn supercapacitors have attracted significant attention due to their ability to be integrated into fabrics, or stitched into existing textiles. Large-scale production of yarn supercapacitors using conventional manufacturing processes, however, is still a challenge. Here, we introduce the use of braiding technology to achieve a predetermined arrangement of fibre electrodes, the basis of a mass fabrication protocol to produce specific electrochemical cells: wearable supercapacitors. The resultant supercapacitors show a high capacitance of 1.71 mF cm- 1. The structure is highly flexible with a 25% capacitance loss recorded after 1000 bending cycles.

Highly twisted oriented polymer fibres and carbon nanotube yarns show large scale torsional actuation from volume expansion that can be induced, for example, thermally or by electrochemical charging. When formed into spring-like coils, the torsional actuation within the fibre or yarn generates powerful tensile actuation per muscle weight. For further development of these coil actuators and for the practical application of torsional actuators, it is important to standardise methods for characterising both the torsional stroke (rotation) and torque generated. By analogy with tensile actuators, we here introduce a method to measure both the free stroke and blocked torque in a one-end-tethered fibre. In addition, the torsional actuation can be measured when operating against an externally applied torque (isotonic) and actuation against a return spring fibre (variable torque). A theoretical treatment of torsional actuation was formulated using torsion mechanics and evaluated using a commercially available highly-oriented polyamide fibre. Good agreement between experimental measurements and calculated values was obtained. The analysis allows the prediction of torsional stroke under any external loading condition based on the fundamental characteristics of the actuator: free stroke and stiffness.

The demands for new configurations of electrochemical cells continue to grow and novel approaches are being enabled by the advent of new electromaterials and novel fabrication strategies. Wearable energy storage devices that can be seamlessly integrated into garments are a critical component of the wearable electronics genre. Recently, flexible yarn supercapacitors have attracted significant attention due to their ability to be integrated into fabrics, or stitched into existing textiles. Large-scale production of yarn supercapacitors using conventional manufacturing processes, however, is still a challenge. Here, we introduce the use of braiding technology to achieve a predetermined arrangement of fibre electrodes, the basis of a mass fabrication protocol to produce specific electrochemical cells: wearable supercapacitors. The resultant supercapacitors show a high capacitance of 1.71 mF cm- 1. The structure is highly flexible with a 25% capacitance loss recorded after 1000 bending cycles.

Highly twisted oriented polymer fibres and carbon nanotube yarns show large scale torsional actuation from volume expansion that can be induced, for example, thermally or by electrochemical charging. When formed into spring-like coils, the torsional actuation within the fibre or yarn generates powerful tensile actuation per muscle weight. For further development of these coil actuators and for the practical application of torsional actuators, it is important to standardise methods for characterising both the torsional stroke (rotation) and torque generated. By analogy with tensile actuators, we here introduce a method to measure both the free stroke and blocked torque in a one-end-tethered fibre. In addition, the torsional actuation can be measured when operating against an externally applied torque (isotonic) and actuation against a return spring fibre (variable torque). A theoretical treatment of torsional actuation was formulated using torsion mechanics and evaluated using a commercially available highly-oriented polyamide fibre. Good agreement between experimental measurements and calculated values was obtained. The analysis allows the prediction of torsional stroke under any external loading condition based on the fundamental characteristics of the actuator: free stroke and stiffness.

A new type of absorption-powered artificial muscle provides high performance without needing a temperature change. These muscles, comprising coiled carbon nanotube fibers infiltrated with silicone rubber, can contract up to 50% to generate up to 1.2 kJ kg−1. The drive mechanism for actuation is the rubber swelling during exposure to a nonpolar solvent. Theoretical energy efficiency conversion can be as high as 16%.

Highly twisted oriented polymer fibres and carbon nanotube yarns show large scale torsional actuation from volume expansion that can be induced, for example, thermally or by electrochemical charging. When formed into spring-like coils, the torsional actuation within the fibre or yarn generates powerful tensile actuation per muscle weight. For further development of these coil actuators and for the practical application of torsional actuators, it is important to standardise methods for characterising both the torsional stroke (rotation) and torque generated. By analogy with tensile actuators, we here introduce a method to measure both the free stroke and blocked torque in a one-end-tethered fibre. In addition, the torsional actuation can be measured when operating against an externally applied torque (isotonic) and actuation against a return spring fibre (variable torque). A theoretical treatment of torsional actuation was formulated using torsion mechanics and evaluated using a commercially available highly-oriented polyamide fibre. Good agreement between experimental measurements and calculated values was obtained. The analysis allows the prediction of torsional stroke under any external loading condition based on the fundamental characteristics of the actuator: free stroke and stiffness.

The demands for new configurations of electrochemical cells continue to grow and novel approaches are being enabled by the advent of new electromaterials and novel fabrication strategies. Wearable energy storage devices that can be seamlessly integrated into garments are a critical component of the wearable electronics genre. Recently, flexible yarn supercapacitors have attracted significant attention due to their ability to be integrated into fabrics, or stitched into existing textiles. Large-scale production of yarn supercapacitors using conventional manufacturing processes, however, is still a challenge. Here, we introduce the use of braiding technology to achieve a predetermined arrangement of fibre electrodes, the basis of a mass fabrication protocol to produce specific electrochemical cells: wearable supercapacitors. The resultant supercapacitors show a high capacitance of 1.71 mF cm- 1. The structure is highly flexible with a 25% capacitance loss recorded after 1000 bending cycles.

A new type of absorption-powered artificial muscle provides high performance without needing a temperature change. These muscles, comprising coiled carbon nanotube fibers infiltrated with silicone rubber, can contract up to 50% to generate up to 1.2 kJ kg−1. The drive mechanism for actuation is the rubber swelling during exposure to a nonpolar solvent. Theoretical energy efficiency conversion can be as high as 16%.

The successful commercialization of smart wearable garments is hindered by the lack of fully integrated carbon-based energy storage devices into smart wearables. Since electrodes are the active components that determine the performance of energy storage systems, it is important to rationally design and engineer hierarchical architectures atboth the nano- and macroscale that can enjoy all of the necessary requirements for a perfect electrode. Here we demonstrate a large-scale flexible fabrication of highly porous high-performance multifunctional graphene oxide (GO) and rGO fibers and yarns by taking advantage of the intrinsic soft self-assembly behavior of ultralarge graphene oxide liquid crystalline dispersions. The produced yarns, which are the only practical form of these architectures for real-life device applications, were found to be mechanically robust (Young's modulus in excess of 29 GPa) and exhibited high native electrical conductivity (2508 ± 632 S m -1) and exceptionally high specific surface area (2605 m2 g-1 before reduction and 2210 m2 g-1 after reduction). Furthermore, the highly porous nature of these architectures enabled us to translate the superior electrochemical properties of individual graphene sheets into practical everyday use devices with complex geometrical architectures. The as-prepared final architectures exhibited an open network structure with a continuous ion transport network, resulting in unrivaled charge storage capacity (409 F g-1 at 1 A g-1) and rate capability (56 F g-1 at 100 A g-1) while maintaining their strong flexible nature.

The successful commercialization of smart wearable garments is hindered by the lack of fully integrated carbon-based energy storage devices into smart wearables. Since electrodes are the active components that determine the performance of energy storage systems, it is important to rationally design and engineer hierarchical architectures atboth the nano- and macroscale that can enjoy all of the necessary requirements for a perfect electrode. Here we demonstrate a large-scale flexible fabrication of highly porous high-performance multifunctional graphene oxide (GO) and rGO fibers and yarns by taking advantage of the intrinsic soft self-assembly behavior of ultralarge graphene oxide liquid crystalline dispersions. The produced yarns, which are the only practical form of these architectures for real-life device applications, were found to be mechanically robust (Young's modulus in excess of 29 GPa) and exhibited high native electrical conductivity (2508 ± 632 S m -1) and exceptionally high specific surface area (2605 m2 g-1 before reduction and 2210 m2 g-1 after reduction). Furthermore, the highly porous nature of these architectures enabled us to translate the superior electrochemical properties of individual graphene sheets into practical everyday use devices with complex geometrical architectures. The as-prepared final architectures exhibited an open network structure with a continuous ion transport network, resulting in unrivaled charge storage capacity (409 F g-1 at 1 A g-1) and rate capability (56 F g-1 at 100 A g-1) while maintaining their strong flexible nature.

The anomalous behaviour of polyamide 6.6 fibres textured by false twist to different physico-chemical techniques (as the critical dissolution time, CDT), compared with those obtained in polyester fibres, was attributed to a cracking of the. surface and/or to an increase in fibre porosity. This cracking appears when original fibre is treated at high temperature and it is due to the breakage of the skin/core structure of polyamide 6.6. This cracking has been demonstrated by the determination of drying kinetics in a thermogravimetric test that has been developed for this fibre, Postprint (published version)

Polyester fibers (PET) are greatly used in textiles but depend on fossil fuel resources. Poly-(lactic acid) (PLA) is an aliphatic polyester that can be derived from 100% renewable resources. The load-extension plot of a polylactide fiber seems to be especially compatible with that of wool. Consequently polyester/wool 55/45 and polylactide/wool 55/45 yarns were spun using the Sirospun process and plain and twill woven fabrics were industrially produced. Washed and heat set fabrics were subjected to a conventional process of dyeing and decatizing. Fabrics were gradually worn by abrasion using a Martindale wear and abrasion tester.; Using the bursting strength test, the viscoelastic behavior of the fabrics when multidirectional extended was simulated and modeled using a modified non-linear Maxwell model. The three steps of fiber decrimping and orientation, fiber stretching and maximum yield and breaking were analyzed. PET/wool fabrics show a more linear behavior than PLA/wool ones and the influence of weave, finishing and wearing on the viscoelastic behavior of PLA/wool fabrics were highly relevant when compared with that on PET/wool ones. It seems that when blended with PET, wool develops its felting effect during finishing and wearing, while when blended with PLA, the felting effect of wool is hardly developed due to the lower resistance of PLA to hydrolysis and its lower thermal stability. PLA fiber properties need to be improved probably through the development of new L-D lactide (PLDLA) copolymers of different ratios between components and molecular weights to reach the optimal desirable properties for the fiber., Postprint (published version)

The textile industry in Europe is facing a new challenge in order to stay competitive into the textile market. They need to be flexible, cost efficient and produce with high quality. The setting of the machinery parameters is therefore an important aspect that combines implicit knowledge of workers and engineers with explicit knowledge. This makes it an ideal domain for CBR. It is used for an automatic parameter setting but the data cannot be reduced to a flat representation, as yarns and fabrics are multicomponent artefacts. Therefore we propose a combination of 4 algorithms to evaluate the similarity of the yarns. The application was successfully applied for spinning and it can be applied in the following steps of the textile processes like weaving, Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

The successful commercialization of smart wearable garments is hindered by the lack of fully integrated carbon-based energy storage devices into smart wearables. Since electrodes are the active components that determine the performance of energy storage systems, it is important to rationally design and engineer hierarchical architectures atboth the nano- and macroscale that can enjoy all of the necessary requirements for a perfect electrode. Here we demonstrate a large-scale flexible fabrication of highly porous high-performance multifunctional graphene oxide (GO) and rGO fibers and yarns by taking advantage of the intrinsic soft self-assembly behavior of ultralarge graphene oxide liquid crystalline dispersions. The produced yarns, which are the only practical form of these architectures for real-life device applications, were found to be mechanically robust (Young's modulus in excess of 29 GPa) and exhibited high native electrical conductivity (2508 ± 632 S m -1) and exceptionally high specific surface area (2605 m2 g-1 before reduction and 2210 m2 g-1 after reduction). Furthermore, the highly porous nature of these architectures enabled us to translate the superior electrochemical properties of individual graphene sheets into practical everyday use devices with complex geometrical architectures. The as-prepared final architectures exhibited an open network structure with a continuous ion transport network, resulting in unrivaled charge storage capacity (409 F g-1 at 1 A g-1) and rate capability (56 F g-1 at 100 A g-1) while maintaining their strong flexible nature.

Biofuel cells that generate electricity from glucose in blood are promising for powering implantable biomedical devices. Immobilizing interconnected enzyme and redox mediator in a highly conducting, porous electrode maximizes their interaction with the electrolyte and minimizes diffusion distances for fuel and oxidant, thereby enhancing power density. Here we report that our separator-free carbon nanotube yarn biofuel cells provide an open-circuit voltage of 0.70 V, and a maximum areal power density of 2.18 mW cm−2 that is three times higher than for previous carbon nanotube yarn biofuel cells. Biofuel cell operation in human serum provides high areal power output, as well as markedly increased lifetime (83% remained after 24 h), compared with previous unprotected biofuel cells. Our biscrolled yarn biofuel cells are woven into textiles having the mechanical robustness needed for implantation for glucose energy harvesting.

Biofuel cells that generate electricity from glucose in blood are promising for powering implantable biomedical devices. Immobilizing interconnected enzyme and redox mediator in a highly conducting, porous electrode maximizes their interaction with the electrolyte and minimizes diffusion distances for fuel and oxidant, thereby enhancing power density. Here we report that our separator-free carbon nanotube yarn biofuel cells provide an open-circuit voltage of 0.70 V, and a maximum areal power density of 2.18 mW cm−2 that is three times higher than for previous carbon nanotube yarn biofuel cells. Biofuel cell operation in human serum provides high areal power output, as well as markedly increased lifetime (83% remained after 24 h), compared with previous unprotected biofuel cells. Our biscrolled yarn biofuel cells are woven into textiles having the mechanical robustness needed for implantation for glucose energy harvesting.

The successful commercialization of smart wearable garments is hindered by the lack of fully integrated carbon-based energy storage devices into smart wearables. Since electrodes are the active components that determine the performance of energy storage systems, it is important to rationally design and engineer hierarchical architectures atboth the nano- and macroscale that can enjoy all of the necessary requirements for a perfect electrode. Here we demonstrate a large-scale flexible fabrication of highly porous high-performance multifunctional graphene oxide (GO) and rGO fibers and yarns by taking advantage of the intrinsic soft self-assembly behavior of ultralarge graphene oxide liquid crystalline dispersions. The produced yarns, which are the only practical form of these architectures for real-life device applications, were found to be mechanically robust (Young's modulus in excess of 29 GPa) and exhibited high native electrical conductivity (2508 ± 632 S m -1) and exceptionally high specific surface area (2605 m2 g-1 before reduction and 2210 m2 g-1 after reduction). Furthermore, the highly porous nature of these architectures enabled us to translate the superior electrochemical properties of individual graphene sheets into practical everyday use devices with complex geometrical architectures. The as-prepared final architectures exhibited an open network structure with a continuous ion transport network, resulting in unrivaled charge storage capacity (409 F g-1 at 1 A g-1) and rate capability (56 F g-1 at 100 A g-1) while maintaining their strong flexible nature.

Biofuel cells that generate electricity from glucose in blood are promising for powering implantable biomedical devices. Immobilizing interconnected enzyme and redox mediator in a highly conducting, porous electrode maximizes their interaction with the electrolyte and minimizes diffusion distances for fuel and oxidant, thereby enhancing power density. Here we report that our separator-free carbon nanotube yarn biofuel cells provide an open-circuit voltage of 0.70 V, and a maximum areal power density of 2.18 mW cm−2 that is three times higher than for previous carbon nanotube yarn biofuel cells. Biofuel cell operation in human serum provides high areal power output, as well as markedly increased lifetime (83% remained after 24 h), compared with previous unprotected biofuel cells. Our biscrolled yarn biofuel cells are woven into textiles having the mechanical robustness needed for implantation for glucose energy harvesting.

The successful commercialization of smart wearable garments is hindered by the lack of fully integrated carbon-based energy storage devices into smart wearables. Since electrodes are the active components that determine the performance of energy storage systems, it is important to rationally design and engineer hierarchical architectures atboth the nano- and macroscale that can enjoy all of the necessary requirements for a perfect electrode. Here we demonstrate a large-scale flexible fabrication of highly porous high-performance multifunctional graphene oxide (GO) and rGO fibers and yarns by taking advantage of the intrinsic soft self-assembly behavior of ultralarge graphene oxide liquid crystalline dispersions. The produced yarns, which are the only practical form of these architectures for real-life device applications, were found to be mechanically robust (Young's modulus in excess of 29 GPa) and exhibited high native electrical conductivity (2508 ± 632 S m -1) and exceptionally high specific surface area (2605 m2 g-1 before reduction and 2210 m2 g-1 after reduction). Furthermore, the highly porous nature of these architectures enabled us to translate the superior electrochemical properties of individual graphene sheets into practical everyday use devices with complex geometrical architectures. The as-prepared final architectures exhibited an open network structure with a continuous ion transport network, resulting in unrivaled charge storage capacity (409 F g-1 at 1 A g-1) and rate capability (56 F g-1 at 100 A g-1) while maintaining their strong flexible nature.

The objective of the current project is the development of the fundamentals of a novel two-scale multiscale computational method for the nonlinear damage and failure analysis of 3D woven fiber composites under ballistic loading. Since material behavior is determined by its microstructure, it is essential to accurately model the physics at that scale. The macroscale analysis provides a useful insight into the underlying high strain rate physics which is essential in modeling the lower micro-scale. In particular a rate dependent constitutive approach is being developed coupled with continuum damage mechanics suitable for polymer materials. The effect of contact parameters on the underlying damage processes is being studied and worked on. We further develop a material model suitable particularly for loading of composites in the high strain rate regime. This is a significant development from the previous model where strain rate sensitivity is a-priori postulated for the matrix dominated modes in the small strain framework. We focused on developing a general homogenized anisotropic material model and obtained results which can be implemented in a finite element framework for high strain rate loading.

This report documents efforts performed, between May 2011 and November 2012, under a Broad Agency Announcement contract between the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC). The objective was to develop flame resistant combat uniform fabrics with improved strength by spinning aramid (Nomex and Kevlar)/wool blend yarns on the long staple yarn spinning system rather than the more commonly used short staple spinning system. Under this effort both woven camouflage printed outerwear fabric and solid colored knitted next-to-skin fabric were developed. The woven fabric provided flame protection, visual and near infrared camouflage, comfort, and durability compared to current camouflage printed Nomex and Kevlar fabric (MIL-C-83429). Likewise the knitted fabric provided flame protection, comfort, and durability unavailable in other base-layer fabrics. This project leveraged and built upon two previous NSRDEC funded ASI efforts (which developed the camouflage print recipe and appropriate woven and knitted constructions) and focused on improving fabric strength through the use of the long versus short staple yam spinning system. The project was a complete success, resulting in fabrics that are near ready for full rate production., The original document contains color images.

Metal nanowires are twisted to form yarns that are strong (0.4 to 1.1 GPa), pliable, and more conductive (3 × 106 S m-1) than carbon nanotube yarns. Niobium nanowire fibers are extracted by etching a copper-niobium nano-composite material fabricated using the severe plastic deformation process. When impregnated with paraffin wax, the niobium (Nb) nanowire yarns produce fast rotational actuation as the wax is heated. The heated wax expands, untwisting the yarn, which then re-twists upon cooling. Normalized to yarn length, 12 deg mm-1 of torsional rotation was achieved along with twist rates in excess of 1800 rpm. Tensile modulus of 19 ± 5 GPa was measured for the Nb yarns, which is very similar to those of carbon multiwalled nanotubes.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns are novel CNT-based materials that extend the advantages of CNT from the nanoscale to macroscale applications. In this study, we have modeled CNT yarns as potential data transmission lines. Test structures have been designed to measure electrical properties of CNT yarns, which are attached to these test structures using gold paste. DC testing and microwave S-parameter measurements have been conducted for characterization. The observed frequency independent resistive behavior of the CNT yarn is a very promising indicator that this material, with its added values of mechanical resilience and thermal conductivity, could be invaluable for a range of applications such as body area networks. A model is developed for the CNT yarn, which fits the measured data collected and agrees in general with similar data for non-yarn CNTs.

Metal nanowires are twisted to form yarns that are strong (0.4 to 1.1 GPa), pliable, and more conductive (3 × 106 S m-1) than carbon nanotube yarns. Niobium nanowire fibers are extracted by etching a copper-niobium nano-composite material fabricated using the severe plastic deformation process. When impregnated with paraffin wax, the niobium (Nb) nanowire yarns produce fast rotational actuation as the wax is heated. The heated wax expands, untwisting the yarn, which then re-twists upon cooling. Normalized to yarn length, 12 deg mm-1 of torsional rotation was achieved along with twist rates in excess of 1800 rpm. Tensile modulus of 19 ± 5 GPa was measured for the Nb yarns, which is very similar to those of carbon multiwalled nanotubes.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns are novel CNT-based materials that extend the advantages of CNT from the nanoscale to macroscale applications. In this study, we have modeled CNT yarns as potential data transmission lines. Test structures have been designed to measure electrical properties of CNT yarns, which are attached to these test structures using gold paste. DC testing and microwave S-parameter measurements have been conducted for characterization. The observed frequency independent resistive behavior of the CNT yarn is a very promising indicator that this material, with its added values of mechanical resilience and thermal conductivity, could be invaluable for a range of applications such as body area networks. A model is developed for the CNT yarn, which fits the measured data collected and agrees in general with similar data for non-yarn CNTs.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns are novel CNT-based materials that extend the advantages of CNT from the nanoscale to macroscale applications. In this study, we have modeled CNT yarns as potential data transmission lines. Test structures have been designed to measure electrical properties of CNT yarns, which are attached to these test structures using gold paste. DC testing and microwave S-parameter measurements have been conducted for characterization. The observed frequency independent resistive behavior of the CNT yarn is a very promising indicator that this material, with its added values of mechanical resilience and thermal conductivity, could be invaluable for a range of applications such as body area networks. A model is developed for the CNT yarn, which fits the measured data collected and agrees in general with similar data for non-yarn CNTs.

Key points in the formation of liquid crystalline (LC) dispersions of graphene oxide (GO) and their processability via wet-spinning to produce long lengths of micrometer-dimensional fibers and yarns are addressed. Based on rheological and polarized optical microscopy investigations, a rational relation between GO sheet size and polydispersity, concentration, liquid crystallinity, and spinnability is proposed, leading to an understanding of lyotropic LC behavior and fiber spinnability. The knowledge gained from the straightforward formulation of LC GO "inks" in a range of processable concentrations enables the spinning of continuous conducting, strong, and robust fibers at concentrations as low as 0.075 wt%, eliminating the need for relatively concentrated spinning dope dispersions. The dilute LC GO dispersion is proven to be suitable for fiber spinning using a number of coagulation strategies, including non-solvent precipitation, dispersion destabilization, ionic cross-linking, and polyelectrolyte complexation. One-step continuous spinning of graphene fibers and yarns is introduced for the first time by in situ spinning of LC GO in basic coagulation baths (i.e., NaOH or KOH), eliminating the need for post-treatment processes. The thermal conductivity of these graphene fibers is found to be much higher than polycrystalline graphite and other types of 3D carbon based materials. New insights are provided into the processing of liquid crystalline graphene oxide (GO) dispersion (containing large GO sheets) demonstrating a facile and scalable production of GO and reduced GO fibers and yarns with exciting properties such as high thermal conductivity. These results provide a universal platform for the development of solution-based processing methods, properties, and applications of liquid crystalline GO-based architectures.

Key points in the formation of liquid crystalline (LC) dispersions of graphene oxide (GO) and their processability via wet-spinning to produce long lengths of micrometer-dimensional fibers and yarns are addressed. Based on rheological and polarized optical microscopy investigations, a rational relation between GO sheet size and polydispersity, concentration, liquid crystallinity, and spinnability is proposed, leading to an understanding of lyotropic LC behavior and fiber spinnability. The knowledge gained from the straightforward formulation of LC GO "inks" in a range of processable concentrations enables the spinning of continuous conducting, strong, and robust fibers at concentrations as low as 0.075 wt%, eliminating the need for relatively concentrated spinning dope dispersions. The dilute LC GO dispersion is proven to be suitable for fiber spinning using a number of coagulation strategies, including non-solvent precipitation, dispersion destabilization, ionic cross-linking, and polyelectrolyte complexation. One-step continuous spinning of graphene fibers and yarns is introduced for the first time by in situ spinning of LC GO in basic coagulation baths (i.e., NaOH or KOH), eliminating the need for post-treatment processes. The thermal conductivity of these graphene fibers is found to be much higher than polycrystalline graphite and other types of 3D carbon based materials. New insights are provided into the processing of liquid crystalline graphene oxide (GO) dispersion (containing large GO sheets) demonstrating a facile and scalable production of GO and reduced GO fibers and yarns with exciting properties such as high thermal conductivity. These results provide a universal platform for the development of solution-based processing methods, properties, and applications of liquid crystalline GO-based architectures.

Key points in the formation of liquid crystalline (LC) dispersions of graphene oxide (GO) and their processability via wet-spinning to produce long lengths of micrometer-dimensional fibers and yarns are addressed. Based on rheological and polarized optical microscopy investigations, a rational relation between GO sheet size and polydispersity, concentration, liquid crystallinity, and spinnability is proposed, leading to an understanding of lyotropic LC behavior and fiber spinnability. The knowledge gained from the straightforward formulation of LC GO "inks" in a range of processable concentrations enables the spinning of continuous conducting, strong, and robust fibers at concentrations as low as 0.075 wt%, eliminating the need for relatively concentrated spinning dope dispersions. The dilute LC GO dispersion is proven to be suitable for fiber spinning using a number of coagulation strategies, including non-solvent precipitation, dispersion destabilization, ionic cross-linking, and polyelectrolyte complexation. One-step continuous spinning of graphene fibers and yarns is introduced for the first time by in situ spinning of LC GO in basic coagulation baths (i.e., NaOH or KOH), eliminating the need for post-treatment processes. The thermal conductivity of these graphene fibers is found to be much higher than polycrystalline graphite and other types of 3D carbon based materials. New insights are provided into the processing of liquid crystalline graphene oxide (GO) dispersion (containing large GO sheets) demonstrating a facile and scalable production of GO and reduced GO fibers and yarns with exciting properties such as high thermal conductivity. These results provide a universal platform for the development of solution-based processing methods, properties, and applications of liquid crystalline GO-based architectures.

Metal nanowires are twisted to form yarns that are strong (0.4 to 1.1 GPa), pliable, and more conductive (3 × 106 S m-1) than carbon nanotube yarns. Niobium nanowire fibers are extracted by etching a copper-niobium nano-composite material fabricated using the severe plastic deformation process. When impregnated with paraffin wax, the niobium (Nb) nanowire yarns produce fast rotational actuation as the wax is heated. The heated wax expands, untwisting the yarn, which then re-twists upon cooling. Normalized to yarn length, 12 deg mm-1 of torsional rotation was achieved along with twist rates in excess of 1800 rpm. Tensile modulus of 19 ± 5 GPa was measured for the Nb yarns, which is very similar to those of carbon multiwalled nanotubes.