Fibrous Structures

Fundamental and applied research in fibrous structures addresses the processing, manufacture, structure and properties of technical textile materials including development of environmentally sustainable textile materials and processes.

This research is directed to address industrial needs in sectors including medical, healthcare, personal protection and security, filtration, sport and consumer products. Development of interdisciplinary collaboration in science and engineering research related to technical textiles, knowledge transfer, postgraduate teaching and consultancy are delivered through a dedicated Centre for Technical Textiles based in the School of Design.

Incorporation within IMR of the School’s technical textiles research activities reflect the close and developing synergy with SPEME, associated with strong industrial and commercial linkages enhanced via the EPSRC TechniTex Faraday Partnership of which we are a founding member.

Academic Staff
Palitha Bandara	Katherine Beverley	Richard Blackburn
Carl Lawrence	Stephen Russell	Stephen Burkinshaw
Research Projects
Studies of Fabric Permeability
PLA Nonwoven Scaffold Assembly for Soft Neo Tissue Repair containing a Pseudo Capillary System
Structurally Insecticidal Fabrics for the Control of Malaria
Structure and Geometry of Hydroentangled Fabrics in Relation to Wiping Performance
Structure and Properties of Micro-Cavitied Cellulosic Nonwovens for Hygiene
Design of Improved Non-Structural Composites for Industry
Assembly of Fibrous Delivery Systems: Controlled Release of Liquids from Pre-Loaded Nonwoven Fabrics
Filament Strain Gauge Sensors for Textile Constructions
Gecko-Like Biomimetic Textile Surfaces
Hard Tissue Regeneration in Nanofibrous Collagen Nonwoven Scaffolds
Engineering of Hydrophobicity in Multi-Fibre Assemblies
Nanoscale Functional Composites and Application in Fibre Bending Sensors
Properties of Electroconductive Nanostructured Fibres
Centrifugal Spinning of Virgin and Recycled Thermoplastic Polymer Waste
Studies of Fabric Permeability
Composites and Nanofibrous Coatings
Colouration of Hydroentangled Nonwoven Fabric Structures
Atmospheric Disperse Dyeing of PET Fabrics
Chemical Modification of Natural Plant Colourants for Application to PLA and PET Fibre Substrates
Waterless Cleaning of Textile Materials
Physiochemical Mechanisms Involved in the Binding of Antimicrobial Agents to Fibres
Novel Hair Colouration Methodology using Natural Plant Extracts and Associated Green Extraction Processes
Dissolution of Cellulose by Chemical and Biochemical Methods in Woven Assemblies
Fundamentals of Lyocell Easy-Care Finishing
Extraction of High-Quality Fibre for Textiles and Composites from Sustainably-Grown Hemp