Research

Researchers have used a combination of an HD digital camera and a cutting-edge software to develop a non-destructive and convenient method for measuring cotton growth. It does not require professional knowledge of computer and machine learning and thus, can be utilised by ordinary farmers or researchers.

Inspired by crushed limestone-based plasters historically used to keep houses cool in extremely sunny places, US scientists have devised a durable chalk-based fabric coating that cools the air underneath the treated fabric by up to 8° Fahrenheit.

Scientists have developed a fabric material that can convert body heat and solar energy into electricity and has the potential for energy harvesting, health monitoring and movement tracking applications. It can detect temperature changes and a range of other sensors to monitor pressure, chemical composition and more.

Inspired by the adaptive thermal regulation mechanism in pigeons, a team of researchers in Hong Kong has developed the first-of-its-kind intelligent soft robotic clothing for automatic temperature adaptation and thermal insulation in hot environments, offering superior personal protection and thermal comfort across a range of temperatures.

Research from Clemson University in the US is shedding light on how to make cotton more climate-resilient through improved water use efficiency.

Ongoing work on ‘textile muscles’ has been further strengthened as researchers develop haptic sleeves that give an extra boost during heavy lifting, enable ‘remote’ hugs, help the visually impaired navigate the urban environment, and also complement VR in gaming.

As climate change leads to more frequent and severe droughts in many cotton-growing regions, developing varieties that can thrive with less water is crucial, and new research offers hope for developing more resilient varieties of cotton that can maintain high yields even under water-stressed conditions.

Inspired by the scales of pangolins and armadillos, scientists at NTU Singapore have developed a patent-pending innovative wearable fabric that can quickly be made into medical devices or soft robotics, such as limbs for drones.

A patent-pending ‘Fibre Shredder’ from a University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) faculty can recyle used textiles back into fibre in a minute-and-a-half.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a pioneering award-winning intelligent, electrically-activated sportswear with a nature-inspired active perspiration function.