The study presents an exploratory design-space mapping approach for analysing knitted fabrics through the combined consideration of structural, comfort-related, and optical parameters. The methodology addresses the multi-parameter nature of knitted macrostructures, where functional behaviour emerges from the interaction of yarn composition, stitch architecture, and structural configuration rather than from isolated descriptors. Twelve knitted samples differing in stitch type and yarn linear density, and incorporating photoluminescent and reflective yarns, were analysed. Fabric thickness and air permeability were selected as representative structural and comfort-related parameters, while optical response was characterised using a dimensionless reflectance ratio under multiple illumination conditions. All parameters were normalised to enable comparative representation within a unified design space. The resulting maps reveal visual clusters, structurally isolated cases, and illumination-dependent optical equivalence between structurally different configurations. The findings demonstrate that similar optical performance can be achieved through alternative structural solutions, depending on the illumination context. The proposed approach provides a qualitative, design-oriented framework that supports engineering decision-making without implying optimisation or ranking, while revealing alternative design pathways and context-dependent equivalence.

Children’s skin is uniquely vulnerable, requiring specialised design solutions that transcend traditional aesthetics. This exploratory study investigates the importance of paediatric dermatology in informing functional fashion design through expert medical perspectives. Using a qualitative approach, data were gathered from a purposive cohort of paediatric dermatologists and immunoallergologists and analysed through inductive thematic analysis. Findings identify four core themes: the physiological immaturity of children’s skin (notably the prevalence of atopic dermatitis), clothing’s role as a symptomatic aggravator rather than a primary aetiology, the clinical risks posed by chemical additives in synthetic textile processes, and the therapeutic potential of natural fibres and biofunctional agents. The data also highlights significant diagnostic constraints in paediatric patch testing, emphasising the necessity of proactive material safety. The findings suggest that integrating healthcare expertise into human-centred design may support the development of safer paediatric clothing solutions, ensuring that fashion industry innovation meets the physiological requirements of children. By transitioning from hazardous synthetic processes to biocompatible textiles, such as undyed natural fibres and medicinal plant-derived dyes, the industry can transform apparel from a potential irritant into a secondary protective barrier. This provides initial insights for developing clothing that safeguards the skin barrier and improves the overall wellbeing of vulnerable populations.

This study analyses the influence of yarn composition and knitted macrostructure on the structural and functional performance of passive smart knitted fabrics with optical functionalities. Twelve knitted macrostructures were produced using folded composite yarns combining cotton, reflective, and photoluminescent components and different stitch patterns. Thickness, air permeability, and reflectance under UV and visible illumination were experimentally evaluated. The results indicate that knitted macrostructure primarily controls thickness and air permeability, whereas optical response is governed by yarn composition. Variations in stitch pattern enable regulation of air permeability independent of optical behaviour, while UV-responsive yarn components dominate reflectance performance. The findings support independent optimisation of structural and optical properties through combined yarn and macrostructural design.

The identification/classification of textile fibres is essential in manufacturing, forensic science, cultural heritage preservation, and recycling. Conventional methods, including solubility tests, optical microscopy, and chromatographic techniques, are often destructive, labour-intensive, and limited in scope. Vibrational spectroscopy, particularly near-infrared (NIR), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy, has emerged as a rapid, non-destructive, and accurate alternative for fibre analysis. However, multi-composition textiles, dyes, finishing agents, and ageing effects frequently cause overlapping spectral features, hampering direct interpretation. This review examines the combined use of vibrational spectroscopy and chemometrics for textile fibre discrimination. It critically evaluates the performance of different spectroscopic techniques in classifying natural, synthetic, and blended fibres. The role of multivariate analysis methods, such as PCA, PLS, LDA, SIMCA, and machine learning algorithms, in improving spectral interpretation and classification accuracy is highlighted. Key factors affecting model robustness, including spectral pre-processing, sample heterogeneity, moisture, and colour, are also discussed. The integration of spectroscopy with chemometrics provides a robust, scalable, and sustainable solution for fibre identification, supporting quality control, fraud detection, and circular economy initiatives. This approach demonstrates significant potential for both research and industrial applications.

Waste textiles may contain heavy metals, which can originate from dyes, mordants, or other chemical treatments used during manufacturing. To explore the impact of heavy metals on the adsorption properties of activated carbon derived from discarded textiles through pyrolysis and to mitigate heavy metal migration, this study investigated the adsorption behavior of copper-impregnated pyrolytic carbon toward typical pollutants—methylene blue and lead—in simulated dyeing wastewater. Aqueous copper nitrate was used to impregnate the waste pure cotton textiles (WPCTs) to introduce copper species as precursors for creating additional active sites. The study systematically examined adsorption mechanisms, single and binary adsorption systems, adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, adsorption thermodynamics, and the influence of pH. Key findings and conclusions are as follows: Under optimal conditions, the copper-containing biochar (Cu-BC) demonstrated maximum adsorption capacities of 36.70 ± 1.54 mg/g for Pb(II) and 104.93 ± 8.71 mg/g for methylene blue. In a binary adsorption system, when the contaminant concentration reached 80 mg/L, the adsorption capacity of Cu-BC for Pb(II) was significantly enhanced, with the adsorption amount increasing by over 26%. However, when the Pb(II) concentration reached 40 mg/L, it inhibited the adsorption of contaminants, reducing the adsorption amount by 20%. SEM, XRD, Cu LMM, FTIR and XPS result analysis proves that the adsorption mechanism of methylene blue involves π–π interactions, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and pore filling. For Pb(II) ions, the adsorption likely occurs via electrostatic interactions, complexation with functional groups, and pore filling. This study supplements the research content on the copper adsorption mechanism supported by biochar for heavy metal adsorption research and broadens the application scope of biochar in the field of heavy metal adsorption.

The rapid evolution of innovative materials and their 4D printing on fabrics allows textiles to change shape or properties when exposed to external stimuli. This work reviews the fundamentals of 4D printing, briefly revisiting additive manufacturing technology and materials, as both are extensively described in various articles and reviews. It also outlines the advancements in smart textiles and their functionality as multifunctional fabrics. The review focuses primarily on reviewing the technical foundations and emerging applications of 4D-printed smart polymers and their integration onto passive textiles for smart applications. Finally, a critical review is presented, emphasizing the numerous individual developments undertaken not only in academia but also by young students, independent engineers, and entrepreneurs who showcase their progress and various challenges through social media. Easy access to knowledge, digital communication, and an interest in creating new materials and structures with a relatively low budget will allow the advancement and development of 4D printing processing strategies for functional materials, promoting the creation of intelligent and adaptive textile systems.

Medical textiles have gained significant attention for their ability to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases while ensuring the safety and comfort of healthcare professionals. This study focuses on modifying the surfaces of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance their antibacterial properties, thermophysiological comfort, and thermal insulation. The effects of varying volumes of the tetraisopropyl orthotitanate precursor on the functional properties of the coated PET fabrics were systematically investigated. The surface morphology was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). At the same time, the elemental and chemical properties were analyzed through Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The TiO2 NPs-coated PET fabrics demonstrated exceptional antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and significantly improved thermophysiological comfort. Specifically, thermal resistance increased with a higher density of TiO2 nanoparticles, leading to a decrease in thermal conductivity. Notably, only minimal reductions were observed in relative water vapor permeability (RWVP) and air permeability (AP), indicating that the fabric’s porosity was maintained. Furthermore, the presence of the TiO2 nanolayer on the PET fabric significantly enhanced its thermal stability, providing excellent thermal insulation properties. These findings underscore the potential of TiO2 NPs-coated PET fabrics as promising candidates for advanced medical textile applications, where a balance of protection, comfort, and thermal insulation is essential.

Textile-reinforced concrete (TRC) is an alternative class of mechanical reinforcement for cement composites. The biaxial braided reinforcement structure in composite materials with diverse cross-sectional shapes offers high adaptability, torsional stability, and resistance to damage. In general, 3D textile reinforcements improve the mechanical properties of composites compared to 2D reinforcements. This study aimed to verify reinforcement behavior by comparing multidimensional braided textiles, 2D (one- and two-layer) reinforcements, and 3D reinforcement in composite cementitious boards. Experimental tests were performed to evaluate the effect of textile structures on cementitious composites using four-point bending tests, porosity measurements, and crack patterns. All textiles showed sufficient space between yarns, allowing the matrix (a commercial formulation) to infiltrate and influence the composite mechanical properties. All composites presented ductility behavior. The two layers of 2D textile composites displayed thicker cracks, influenced by shear forces. Three-dimensional textiles exhibited superior values in four-point bending tests for modulus of rupture (7.4 ± 0.5 MPa) and specific energy (5.7 ± 0.3 kJ/m2). No delamination or debonding failure was observed in the boards after the bending tests. The 3D textile structure offers a larger contact area with the cementitious matrix and creates a continuous network, enabling more uniform force distribution in all directions.

The present study examines the influence of material and structural parameters on the fit and air permeability of textile face masks, surgical masks, and certified respirators. Nine samples were tested using the AccuFIT 9000 for quantitative fit factor (FF) measurements and the FX-3340 MinAir for air permeability in both airflow directions. Results show that increased thickness moderately improves FF, supporting better facial sealing. However, mass per unit area and bulk density show weak or no correlation with FF. Air permeability correlates weakly and negatively with FF, especially during exhalation, but remains essential for wearer comfort. Notably, some textile masks outperformed certified respirators in terms of fit, highlighting the importance of design, elasticity, and edge sealing. The findings suggest that effective mask performance depends on more than filtration materials or certification levels. A balanced design combining breathability, structural optimisation, and ergonomic fit is essential for both comfort and protection. These insights can guide the development of more effective reusable and disposable face coverings, particularly in aerosol-rich environments.

Flexible and wearable thermoelectric devices can convert body waste heat into electricity, showing a new direction to solve the long-lasting issue of energy supply on portable devices. However, thermoelectric fibers are prone to short circuits and failure due to sweat stains and washing practices. Therefore, it is quite necessary to solve this problem to realize the practical thermoelectric device. PDMS, with its excellent insulation and flexibility, can effectively address short-circuit issues by encapsulating the surface of thermoelectric fibers. In this work, hydrophilic nano-silica (H-SiO2)-modified PDMS that insulates materials was prepared and coated on the surfaces of polyethyleneimine (PEI)- and hydrochloric acid (HCl)-treated dual-surface-modified thermoelectric fibers. The encapsulated fibers were then woven into spacer fabric to prepare thermoelectric textiles (TETs). After 50 water washing cycles, the fibers retained 97% of their conductivity, and the textiles continued to function normally underwater, indicating that the thermoelectric fibers are effectively protected under PDMS encapsulation.