Research

Getting the right shade of dye is often difficult for fabric manufacturers, but research from the Wilson College of Textiles is using machine learning to tackle the mismatch of shades which could actually help reduce textile manufacturing waste by more accurately mapping how colours will change during the dyeing process.

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a type of fabric, weaving in glass microfibres, that can work as smart sensors that react to touch, pressure and movement.

Smart fabrics are an emerging trend and a new 3D ink printing method that performs well even after repeated washings and abrasion tests could be the future of comfortable smart wearables, says a research from the Washington State University (WSU).

Is virtual fashion a sustainable fix or just another short-lived trend? Could virtual-only clothing be a cleaner opportunity for the fashion industry? A new study from the University of Portsmouth delves into the growing phenomenon of e-fashion — digital garments worn in virtual environments — and found these intangible items could help bridge the gap between fast fashion and environmental sustainability.

The care label is evolving to meet the changing expectations of Europeans as a key element in guiding consumers on how to care for their clothes, according to the GINETEX Barometer. Between the need for simplification, the addition of new symbols or the integration of digital tools, there are several potential levers to improve its effectiveness and legibility.

Research at Canada’s Laurentian University establishes a foundation for fully automated robotic knitting systems, enabling customisable, flexible production processes that integrate perception, planning, and actuation, thereby advancing textile manufacturing through intelligent robotic automation.

Researchers at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln have developed a patent-pending first-of-its-kind technology for fibre-to-fibre or chemical recycling that effectively eliminates dyes, distinguishes between natural and synthetic blends, and produces high-quality fibres in a procedure which is economically viable and scalable.

Heal bones without having to transplant it from another part of the body? A new doctoral thesis from the University of Borås involves using bacteria to produce fibres that can help heal bones.

Researchers at Cornell have developed a new type of unobtrusive smart clothing that may not require you to manually log your workout, because an artificial intelligence pipeline detects movements, identifies the exercise and counts reps. It could also be useful for physical therapists monitoring the progress of patients at home.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have found that a specific combination of consumer segments, product characteristics, and service types make for a sustainable clothing rental service and that certain garment types could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 21% ~ 75% depending on consumer behaviour and service implementation.