Projects / Programmes
January 1, 2015
- December 31, 2019
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.14.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Textile and leather |
|
| 1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T470 |
Technological sciences |
Textiles technology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.05 |
Engineering and Technology |
Materials engineering |
Key words: multifunctional textiles, protective textiles, smart textiles, technical textiles, wearable electronic, sustainable polymer materials, sustainable development, eco-friendly production processes, biotechnology, textile waste.
Researchers (18)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Maintaining the competitiveness of the European textile industry in the global market is possible only through continuous investment in the development of innovative advanced materials and technological processes that can produce high value-added end products without endangering the environment. Because the design of sustainable materials is associated with many pressing problems, their production remains largely unresolved.
The aim of the research is to develop technologically innovative production processes for advanced fibrous and other polymer materials while considering the principles of sustainable development. An important goal of the research is to create multifunctional special textiles with applications in medical, hygienic and protective textiles with antimicrobial activity, flame retardancy, water- and oil-repellency, self-cleaning, electrical conductivity, the ability to release active substances, UV protection, electromagnetic shielding and other functionalizations. Another goal is to create novel temperature-, pH- and light-responsive smart textiles. Towards this end, we will develop environmentally friendly processes involving spinning, drawing, weaving, enzyme and plasma treatment, the in situ synthesis of nanoparticles, dyeing, printing, sol-gel technology and microencapsulation. To develop new smart materials, printed electronics will be introduced for the purpose of wearable electronics. For the integration of conventional electronic components, different contact procedures will be used. To prepare technical textiles and green composites, the production of flax and coarse wool of Slovenian origin will be revived. The use of eco-design in the design of new products will be investigated at all stages of production and end use. Textile waste will be studied and options proposed for recycling. In this research, the most advanced analytical methods, image processing procedures and statistical methods will be used.
The research agendas of the proposed program are modern, technologically innovative and based on interdisciplinary knowledge and integration. They combine fibrous and other polymeric materials as well as textile, graphic, chemical and electrotechnical technologies. The research results will upgrade existing basic and applied knowledge in various fields related to the production and characterisation of materials. In the research, a sustainable approach will be of primary importance. The important goal of the program is the transfer of laboratory results to new industrial processes.
Research under the program will contribute significantly to the technological development of the Slovenian textile and graphics industry and increase their competitiveness, facilitate the development of under- and postgraduate education in the field of textiles and graphics and enhance the education level of employees in the economy, preserving Slovenian professional terminology, promoting Slovenian science and enhancing awareness of sustainable development.
Significance for science
The research agendas of the proposed program, which involve the development of new technologically innovative production processes of advanced polymer materials while respecting the principle of sustainable development, represent an interdisciplinary field of research that combines textile and non-textile scientific research areas. They include polymeric and non-polymeric materials as well as textile, graphic, chemical and electrotechnical technologies. The results of our research will increase the existing basic and applied knowledge in various fields of the production and understanding of the mechanical, chemical and physical properties of polymer materials. For this purpose, a sustainable approach to research is of the utmost importance, as are the selection of sustainable materials, sustainable production processes and sustainable uses of the finished products.
In the production of fibres (oriented polymers), we expect to gain new scientific knowledge related to the processing and properties of composite nanofibres and fibres with additives made via electrospinning and classic design of chemical fibres.
The creation of multi-functional and highly specialised, smart and technical textiles with high added value comprises novel research and technological approaches in the production and finishing of sustainable polymeric materials to achieve unique properties. The introduction of nanotechnology and other state-of-the-art methods of functionalising polymeric materials are of the utmost importance for the development of textile and graphic science, which puts them alongside other modern advanced professions.
New knowledge will contribute to the interpretation of the mechanisms of action of various agents in a multi-functional finish on polymer materials, to the understanding of the physical and chemical interactions between the agents and the functional groups of polymer materials and to the understanding of the influence of various factors on the functional and responsive properties of substrates.
The results of the research will significantly contribute to the development of basic and applied knowledge in the field of printed and wearable electronics, as well as in the field of functional textiles for industrial applications. The areas of textile technology and electrical engineering will become strongly connected. The development of meta-cells will enable the functionalization of surfaces, whereas the application of conductive ink and printing will allow the development of frequency-selective screens. These screens will help protect people from electromagnetic radiation, as well as enhance data security and improve the performance of wireless networks.
New knowledge gained through research on the ecological life cycle of printed sustainable fibre-based and polymeric materials will contribute to scientific development in the field of printed products, specifically, to the development of flexible and rigid packaging made from recycled and renewable materials with modern printing techniques.
Research on the enzymatic processes of finishing will connect the areas of biotechnology and textile technology, thereby facilitating the transfer of knowledge between disciplines and contributing to the economically and environmentally appropriate processing of textiles.
The results of the fibre flax seed characterization will provide the basis for research in the field of green composites.
Significance for the country
Research within this program will significantly contribute to the technological development of the Slovenian textile and graphic industry on the basis of the principles of sustainable development; it will also contribute to the establishment of new small companies (SMEs).
We want to significantly increase the competitiveness of the Slovenian industry and SMEs in the international market, preserve jobs and increase the employment of highly educated experts in the industry and SMEs in Slovenia through the creation of new multifunctional, smart and technical textiles and sustainable polymeric materials and through the use of environmentally friendly production technologies.
With the revival of the production and utilisation of textile materials of Slovenian origin, we will significantly contribute to the preservation of a uniform regional development and additional employment opportunities with a focus on environmentally friendly workplaces.
We will reduce the amount of waste textiles in Slovenia by researching waste textiles and raising public awareness about the importance of the sustainable utilisation of textile products.
An important objective of the program will be the transfer of laboratory results to new industrial processes. In this context, linking with experts from the textile industry, with which we have already established successful cooperation within the framework of the Slovenian textile technological platform, will be essential. Through the research within the framework of the Textile and ecology program, we actively participate in the implementation of the outlined goals of the Slovenian and European textile technological platform up to 2020.
We will promote Slovenian science in the international arena by presenting our research results at international scientific congresses, in internationally recognised journals, during visits to foreign universities and through connections with international research projects.
The research results will strongly influence the development of undergraduate and postgraduate education in the field of textiles and graphics at the University of Ljubljana. Our essential mission will be to transfer the knowledge and awareness of sustainability to students and younger colleagues.
As members of the program group, we will significantly increase the educational level of the employees in the economy. As lecturers, we are already involved in their education within the School IRSPIN. Every year, we organise a Symposium on Novelties in Textiles (45. SNT this year) and a Symposium in Information and Graphics Technology (7. SIGT this year), where we share our research results with experts from the textile industry.
All members of the program group are members of the European University Association AUTEX and are thus integrated into the general European strategy for the effectiveness and future of the European textile industry. Through these links, the opportunities for our involvement in various European projects together with Slovenian companies are significantly increased. Among other things, we will host the AUTEX international conference in 2016, which will be held in Slovenia.
We actively participate in issuing the Slovenian textile journal Tekstilec, which is an internationally recognised journal. We are members of the journal council and the editorial board. In this way, we address not only education but also the preservation of the Slovenian professional terminology.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2015,
interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2015,
interim report,
final report
