Advancements in Textile Technology
Advancements in textile technology are constantly evolving and are redefining the nature of clothing. Nanotechnology and wearable electronics are just some examples of what is happening in the industry today. Surface modification is another way in which textiles are being reimagined and enhanced. This article will explore some of the latest advances in textile technology.
Advanced technical textile industry
An advanced technical textile industry requires many stakeholders to come together and promote the development of the sector. It needs to be supported by comprehensive policy measures to promote trade and export. The policy should include education and user education to promote the benefits of technical textiles. It should also be forward-looking and create a roadmap for the technical textiles industry in India. It should also remove barriers that obstruct the development of the sector.
Advanced technical textiles require special production techniques. Unlike conventional textiles, they need to be able to handle very delicate materials. For instance, micro and nanofibres, electrospun filaments, and materials for medical use all need very specialized equipment and processing techniques.
Nanotechnology
Textile nanotechnology involves manufacturing products on the nanometer scale. These products have special properties and dimensions that make them useful in many applications. These products are produced through various fabrication methods, such as bicomponent extrusion, phase separation, electrospinning, centrifugal spinning, and filtration at the nanometer scale. These nanomaterials are used in a variety of applications, including protective clothing, tissue engineering, and thermal-resistant products.
Advancements in textile nanotechnology have enormous potential, especially when it comes to improving the performance of textiles. By using nanoscale additives, thin membranes, and engineered nanomaterials, textiles can perform extraordinary functions. This process makes the materials more durable, stronger, and lighter than before.
Wearable electronics
Wearable electronics are a growing field of technology that integrates electronic devices into textiles. Currently, the technology consists of smart garments that monitor conditions and respond to external stimuli. These textiles will eventually interact with the human brain to perform cognitive functions. Technological advancements have made it possible to create smaller and more powerful electronics for smart garments.
However, one of the biggest hurdles to the adoption of electronic textiles is the power supply. Despite the significant progress in technology and the advancement of materials, battery power and runtime remain major issues. Lithium rechargeable batteries are not up to the task, and their lack of mechanical stability is a hindrance in the field of wearable electronics.
Surface modification
Surface modification is one of the key processes to enhance the functionality of textiles. There are many techniques for surface modification. We will cover the most common ones in this chapter. These include plasma-induced surface modification and chemical grafting. Both methods can produce functionalized textiles. However, the processes are not the same.
Unlike other processes, non-thermal plasma technology has several advantages over conventional methods. First, it uses no water, making it ecological and cost-efficient. It also reduces pollutants and effluent treatment costs. Non-thermal plasma is a partially ionized gas with a much higher electron temperature than ion temperature.
Another method for surface modification in textiles is the use of nanoscale silicone or superhydrophobicity. These substances increase the contact angle between water molecules and the textile, thus preventing wetting. The method is based on the idea of reducing surface energy by introducing a nanoscale texture. This surface type can trap air and thereby impede wetting. One such method was developed by Li et al. The researchers used a nanoscale silicone layer on a cotton fabric and achieved 157-degree contact angles.
Digital printing
Digital printing for textiles requires the development of designs with the aid of graphic software. These include Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Designers use the CYMK color model to determine the basic colors used. Digital files created with these programs are called TIFF files. These files preserve the quality of the original artwork. Once the TIFF file is prepared, it can be transferred to fabric.
This process allows designers and textile companies to get a variety of different effects from a single design. As a result, the overall cost of producing a sample is lower than if the designer were to go through the traditional process of printing. Another advantage of digital printing is that color registration is not required. The system is also environmentally friendly, saving water and generating less pollution.