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Electrospinning is an experimental method of the polymer super thin fibres formation using the electrostatic field. The distribution of electrostatic field affects the effectiveness of the electrospinning. In order to analyse the electrostatic field for given technological parameters the 3-D computer model of an electrospinning device must be applied.

The quest for sound-absorbing materials that are not only environmentally friendly, but also sustainable is the foremost reason for natural fibre-acoustic materials. Bark cloth is a natural non-woven fabric that is largely produced from Ficus trees. An exploratory investigation of bark cloth a non-woven material and its reinforcement in epoxy polymer composites has been fabricated and investigated for the sound absorption properties so as to find the most suitable applications and also to see whether bark cloth can be used in some applications in place of man-made fibres. Three types of material species were investigated with their respective composites. The fibre morphology showed bark cloth to be a porous fabric that showed promising sound absorption properties at higher frequencies. The sound absorption results of four-layer material selections of Ficus natalensis, Ficus brachypoda and Antiaris toxicaria bark cloth showed sound absorption coefficient of 0.7; 0.71 and 0.91 at f > 6400 Hz, respectively. The bark cloth reinforced laminar epoxy composites had reduced sound absorption coefficients, which ranged from 0.1 to 0.35, which was attributed to decreased porosity and vibration in the bark cloth fibre network.

Background: We sought to determine the usefulness of electrospun dibutyrylchitin (DBC) or poly-([epsilon]-caprolactone [PCL]), in wound treatment. We investigated the mechanisms of action of these polymers on wound healing. Methods: [...]

This paper is showing the technique, which was developed during the research of Redefining Men's Shirt Pattern1, of making a tightly fitted shirt pattern for the sweating thermal manikin (model-Newton) for the usage of the research experiments. From supplies to the pattern making procedures are clearly reported with details. The finished shirt is closely fitted to the manikin with minimum air gaps and the pattern can also be graded into different sizes for research purposes. The goal of making this pattern set for the manikin is to understand the true effect of air gaps influenced on the thermal insulation (Rct) and the evaporative resistance (Ret). With this method, the researcher will know the increase of the air gap that is built into the shirt from minimum to different sizes of the air gap. Hence, it will benefit the study of air gaps related to thermal insulation and the evaporative resistance rather than using the ready-to-wear shirt which will only give the size labels without knowing the air gap distance that is built in the measurements of the shirt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of the study were to develop functional natural fiber clothing with microcapsules containing active herbal extracts with properties enhancing the treatment of dermatoses and to confirm the efficiency of the clothing's activity by testing its effect on the biophysical parameters of human skin.As a result of the work, clothing enriched with green tea and Viola tricolor extracts enclosed in ethyl cellulose microcapsules was produced. The microcapsules were applied on the inner surface of linen knitted fabric, which ensured direct contact of the active substances with the patients' affected skin.The efficiency of the clothing was tested according to our own methodology, which included wearing tests, microbiological tests of the skin and tests of skin moisture, transepidermal water loss and itching intensity. Also, the effect of the active substances present on the fabrics on the in vitro culture of human keratinocytes was evaluated.The test results confirmed that linen clothing enriched with medicinal plant extracts enclosed in microcapsules had an effect on the reduction of itching intensity, an increase in skin moisture, reduction of transepidermal water loss and a reduction of pathogenic bacterial colonies residing on the patients' skin. They confirmed that the new method of administering herbal substances to the skin of dermatological patients via the wearing of functional clothing is effective and leads to symptom relief. The studies allowed for the filing of a patent submission, number P 411869, titled "The clothing acting as a dressing supplement in the therapy of dermatological diseases." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shape-memory materials have recently gained significant attention from scientists and industries around the world. Their useful properties and ability to change their shape when triggered by different stimuli have encouraged researchers to develop this area of science. The examinations conducted herein concern a nonwoven material with thermally induced shape-memory properties, produced by the melt-blown technique. The subject of the research was a nonwoven fabric made from biodegradable poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) blended with atactic polyhydroxybutyrate (a-PHB). The main aim of the presented research was to determine the technological parameters of the melt-blown process and investigate the shape fixing and recovery mechanisms in the obtained material. Thermal, mechanical, and structural analyses were conducted to describe the properties of the smart fabric. The results obtained for the nonwoven fabric produced under specific conditions and selected process parameters showed that it possesses a controllable, thermally induced shape-memory effect. Shape-memory textiles have great potential for diverse applications, in particular in medical science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article concerns the widespread issue of thermal comfort; investigations into textiles and thermal insulation problems are presented. Materials that were tested include double-layer knitted fabrics with potential application in multi-layer garments addressed to a specific group of users. The investigated materials were constructed with the following raw materials: cotton, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide, bamboo, and viscose. The textiles with a comparable geometric structure and different composition were tested for their thermal insulation. In the experimental section the temperature gradients in specific constant ambient conditions using a thermal imaging camera were obtained. In the simulation section three-dimensional models of actual textiles were designed and the temperature gradients on the basis of performed simulations were calculated. Both measurements and simulations yielded comparable results and showed that the comparatively thick knitted fabrics’ thermal insulation strongly depends on the raw materials from which they were made and less on the parameters of the yarn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of textile modification using Plasma Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition (PACVD) results in significant changes in surface properties with high effectivity. However, the main problem of the above-mentioned modification is to obtain a stable modification effect during standard use and storage. The aim of the study was to determine the stability of structural properties of PACVD-modified para-aramid ballistic woven fabrics during accelerated ageing using temperature or simultaneously temperature and humidity as the accelerated ageing factors. For identification of potential changes in the textile surface modified by PACVD with deposition of the polymer formed based on tetradecafluorohexane, the ATR-FTIR and SEM/EDS techniques were applied. The PACVD-modified textiles showed insignificant changes in structural properties after accelerated ageing using the above-mentioned ageing factors. This confirms the stability of the PACVD-resulted modification during simulated conditions of standard use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a new methodology of clothing engineering construction for the medical application. Project “BIOAKOD” intends to propose clothing solutions for elderly people with dermatological defects. This purpose requires a particular concept of clothing because of the additional functionality expected in the clothing. It means that the proposed clothing needs to cover a human body in an aesthetic way and gives comfort of use it, and it should also bring an adding value in health treatment of people with dermatosis (psoriasis)..

The objective of the work was to study the properties of functional insoles for protective footwear using an original methodology by simulating the dynamic real-life conditions. Two insole variants were examined; both are made from a three-layer composite with the middle layer being a polypropylene melt-blown nonwoven. The variants differed in terms of the presence or absence of a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and a biocide in the middle layer. Insole samples were subjected to pressure and examined in terms of the adsorption and desorption of acidic and alkaline liquids, followed by tear strength experiments. In addition, the insoles were placed in protective footwear and the microclimate existing inside the resulting system was determined using T/RH sensors by means of three complementary methods: under controlled climatic conditions, on a thermal foot model, and on human subjects. The results clearly indicate that insoles containing SAP are more effective than those without SAP in terms of both hygienic and mechanical properties.

The article presents the results of an attempt to use high-resolution X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to model the thermal insulation of clothing as one of the most important parameters affecting the heat balance between a human and his/her surroundings. Cotton knitted fabric applied in functional clothing for newborns and aramid woven fabric used in multilayer protective clothing for firefighters were the tested materials. The 3D models of real textiles based on micro-CT images were developed. Next, the models were applied to heat transfer simulations using the finite volume method. The usefulness of the models was experimentally verified using thermography with real textiles. The simulation results were consistent with the measurement results and confirmed the relationship between the thermal insulation and geometry of the textiles on the one hand and the physical parameters of the raw materials from which they were made on the other hand.

The results of studies assessing the influence of the addition of carbon nanofillers, such as multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) that differ in size and structure, on the molecular and supramolecular structure and properties of alginate fibers that might be prospective precursors for carbon fiber (PCF) industry are presented in this article. The investigation was carried out by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and tension testing. In the frame of the current study, two types of alginate fibers were examined and compared: alginic acid and calcium alginate fibers. Alginic acid fibers were formed by chemical treatment of calcium alginate fibers with hydrochloric acid due to the fact that Ca2+ ions presented in the fibers were expected to adversely affect the prospective carbonization process. This investigation brought important conclusions about the influence of nanofillers on the physical properties of the final material. Understanding the link between the incorporation of carbon nanostructures and a possible influence on the formation of ordered carbon structures in the precursor fibers brings an important opportunity to get insights into the application of alginate fibers as a prospective base material for obtaining cost-efficient carbon fibers.

Polylactide (PLA) non-woven surfaces were modified with Radio Frequency plasma (RF) under reduced pressure with the use of two media, air and C6F14 vapor. The effectiveness of the plasma modification of nonwovens was analyzed by examining the fiber surface layer with ATR-FTIR absorption spectroscopy, SEM/EDX microanalysis of atomic composition, SEM surface morphology, wettability tests, susceptibility to water, and physiological liquid absorption tests and air permeability tests. The type of plasma used determines the effect obtained. Air plasma improves sorption properties of nonwovens and does not significantly affect air permeability. C6F14 vapor plasma significantly reduces the absorption of liquids by the fabric and increases its hydrophobicity. The effects obtained from the plasma are stable for six months of fabrics storage after treatment. PLA fabrics modified with plasma can be used for various applications such as dressing and sanitary materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]