An open reference library of infrared spectral “fingerprints” for textile fibres has been published as part of the FasTEX project, creating a shared dataset designed to support faster and more consistent fibre identification. The resource compiles laboratory spectra from textile samples and analytical tools that enable machine learning classification. Researchers say the dataset could strengthen fibre analysis across environmental monitoring, forensic investigation and textile sustainability research.
- Using infrared spectroscopy, researchers generated chemical spectral fingerprints from textile samples of known composition analysed under standardised laboratory conditions.
- The dataset contains spectral information spanning multiple textile fibre categories, including both natural materials and widely used man-made fibres.
- The spectral library has been organised with accompanying tools that allow researchers to test, reproduce and reuse the analyses built on the dataset.
- The dataset and benchmarking analyses were described in a data article published in Data in Brief outlining the structure and reuse potential of the FasTEX research resource.
THE STUDY: The FasTEX dataset has been documented in a research paper titled Infrared spectral data of natural and man-made textile fibres for material identification and classification’’, which sets out the structure and intended reuse of the open fibre reference library. The study was authored by Reeha Parkar, Angelica Jain, Miranda Prendergast-Miller, Thomas Stanton, Kelly J Sheridan and Matteo D Gallidabino, with Gallidabino serving as the corresponding author.
- The research team includes scientists from King’s College London, Northumbria University and Loughborough University working across forensic science, geography and environmental research disciplines.
- The paper presents the dataset as a structured reference resource intended to support reproducible fibre identification research and comparative testing of analytical methods.
- The FasTEX project addresses growing challenges in identifying textile fibres across environmental science, forensic investigation and textile sustainability research.
- The published study provides the technical description required for other researchers to understand, evaluate and reuse the dataset in future fibre analysis research.
INSIDE THE DATASET: The FasTEX dataset provides a structured library of infrared spectral measurements generated from textile materials of known composition. These spectra act as chemical “fingerprints” that can be used to distinguish fibre types and support automated classification methods. By compiling measurements under controlled laboratory conditions, the dataset creates a consistent analytical reference that can be used to train and test fibre identification systems.
- Researchers examined 137 textile samples using infrared spectroscopy to capture spectral signatures representing the chemical composition of different fibres.
- The dataset covers 26 fibre types, spanning both natural materials and man-made fibres commonly used across textile production.
- Each sample was analysed under standardised laboratory conditions to ensure the resulting spectral data could be compared consistently across fibre categories.
- The spectral library allows machine learning approaches to test how accurately textile fibres can be classified based on their infrared signatures.
WHY THIS MATTERS: Textile fibres, including microscopic fragments shed from fabrics, are increasingly detected in air, soil and water environments, creating new challenges for researchers studying pollution pathways. Identifying fibre composition remains technically demanding and often relies on specialist expertise. The FasTEX dataset seeks to reduce this analytical bottleneck by providing a shared reference resource designed to support faster and more objective fibre identification in research and investigative contexts. The project received support from a Research Development Grant from the IMPACT+ Network under the UKRI Circular Fashion and Textiles Programme funded by NERC.
- Accurate identification of textile fibres is essential for research on microfibre pollution and efforts to trace the sources of fibre contamination.
- Fibre analysis also plays a role in forensic investigations, where textile fragments can be used as evidence linking people, locations or objects.
- Existing reference libraries used for fibre identification are often incomplete, inconsistent or difficult for researchers to access.
- By publishing spectral measurements, processed reference data and analytical code together, the project promotes open research infrastructure for fibre analysis, creating one of the first openly available textile fibre datasets of this kind.
WHAT THEY SAID
The real impact of FasTEX lies in creating open research infrastructure. By placing both the spectral data and the analytical code in the public domain, we are providing a common foundation that researchers can benchmark against, reuse and expand. We hope this approach inspires wider data sharing in the field, helping to reduce duplication of effort and speed up innovation across environmental and forensic fibre research.
— Dr Matteo Gallidabino (Corresponding Author)
Lecturer in Forensic Chemistry
King’s College London
