Understanding the composite structures and properties of wild silk cocoons. This project will reveal the secret of wild silk cocoon structures, which are very thin and light in weight, yet they can protect wild silkworms in very harsh environments. This new knowledge will lead to the development of nature inspired materials and structures for personal protection.
Controlling and Predicting the Pilling Propensity of Fabrics. Pilling adversely affects the appearance of fabrics and garments. It is one of the most serious quality problems for the textile industry, particularly the wool industry. This project will examine and control the key factors that contribute to fabric pilling in the fibre-to-fabric conversion processes. It also aims to predict fabric pilling performance from these factors. This will help the industry, along the fibre to fabric chain, t ....Controlling and Predicting the Pilling Propensity of Fabrics. Pilling adversely affects the appearance of fabrics and garments. It is one of the most serious quality problems for the textile industry, particularly the wool industry. This project will examine and control the key factors that contribute to fabric pilling in the fibre-to-fabric conversion processes. It also aims to predict fabric pilling performance from these factors. This will help the industry, along the fibre to fabric chain, to understand the mechanism of pilling and to work together to manage and control this long-standing problem for the benefit of the textile industry as well as textile consumers.Read moreRead less
Optimizing the UV Protection of Textiles with Nano Zinc Oxide. Colour fading, due to poor fastness to light - especially ultraviolet light - is a critical problem that continues to plague the textile industry, especially for products such as flags, awnings and car upholstery that are used in outside applications and therefore exposed directly to sunlight. This research, in collaboration with Micronisers Pty Ltd, will develop improved nano zinc oxide formulations that will significantly reduce th ....Optimizing the UV Protection of Textiles with Nano Zinc Oxide. Colour fading, due to poor fastness to light - especially ultraviolet light - is a critical problem that continues to plague the textile industry, especially for products such as flags, awnings and car upholstery that are used in outside applications and therefore exposed directly to sunlight. This research, in collaboration with Micronisers Pty Ltd, will develop improved nano zinc oxide formulations that will significantly reduce the colour fading problems, and hence add value to the fledgling nano-tech (as well as traditional textile) industries in Australia. It could enable local production of a specialised textile finishing agent for export to major textile producers in South East Asia.Read moreRead less
Modelling and Performance Evaluation of Stab and Ballistic Resistant Fabrics. The aims of the project are to model and design stab resistant fabrics, and evaluate their stab and ballistic performance under simulated end-use conditions. Bi-component ballistic and stab resistant wearable and concealable garments will be produced and comprehensively characterised. This program is a significant first step towards developing Australian owned intellectual property for specialised protective garments f ....Modelling and Performance Evaluation of Stab and Ballistic Resistant Fabrics. The aims of the project are to model and design stab resistant fabrics, and evaluate their stab and ballistic performance under simulated end-use conditions. Bi-component ballistic and stab resistant wearable and concealable garments will be produced and comprehensively characterised. This program is a significant first step towards developing Australian owned intellectual property for specialised protective garments for local and export markets. Results from this study will produce fundamental knowledge on stab and ballistic resistant fabrics and armours, and provide practical information on the preparation of commercially acceptable protective products.Read moreRead less
Understanding the Drafting-against-Untwisting Process for Engineering Fine and Soft Yarns of Low Hairiness. This research will lead to much improved understanding of a very novel yarn engineering process to achieve fine, soft and low-hairiness yarns from natural fibres. It will demonstrate that Australia not only provides quality wool and cotton fibres, but also leads the world in innovative textile engineering technologies that can enhance the competitive positions of its natural fibres in the ....Understanding the Drafting-against-Untwisting Process for Engineering Fine and Soft Yarns of Low Hairiness. This research will lead to much improved understanding of a very novel yarn engineering process to achieve fine, soft and low-hairiness yarns from natural fibres. It will demonstrate that Australia not only provides quality wool and cotton fibres, but also leads the world in innovative textile engineering technologies that can enhance the competitive positions of its natural fibres in the global fibre market. This research promotes value adding in Australian fibre products by developing advanced yarn engineering technology, which will be of significant national benefit to the multi-billion natural fibre industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Advanced three-dimensional fibrous structures for vascular graft applications. This project will combine advanced three-dimensional fabric structures, surface functionalisation and haemodynamic modelling to tackle critical issues in the design and manufacture of vascular graft materials. It will lead to the next generation of vascular grafts with much enhanced structural and biomedical performance.
Value Adding to Australian Cashmere Fleece. This project will lead to major technical advance in the processing of both cashmere fibres and cashmere guard hair. Reducing the level of breakage in fine cashmere fibres will add significant premium to the price of cashmere fibres and products. In addition, the large amount of coarse guard hair removed from cashmere dehairing process will be converted into quality fine powders, which will add significant value to an otherwise 'waste' product. This pr ....Value Adding to Australian Cashmere Fleece. This project will lead to major technical advance in the processing of both cashmere fibres and cashmere guard hair. Reducing the level of breakage in fine cashmere fibres will add significant premium to the price of cashmere fibres and products. In addition, the large amount of coarse guard hair removed from cashmere dehairing process will be converted into quality fine powders, which will add significant value to an otherwise 'waste' product. This project will benefit the entire animal fibre industry, particularly the rare animal fibre industry.Read moreRead less
Application and Evaluation of New Phase Change Materials in Textiles for Minimization of Heat Stress in Elite Athletes. Elite athletes experience heat stress during endurance events as they reach natural barriers of heat dissipation and thermal regulation. These stresses limit performance and present severe psychological challenges. Research showing that cooling body temperatures prior to competition can increase performance led the Australian Institute of Sport to develop ice jackets during the ....Application and Evaluation of New Phase Change Materials in Textiles for Minimization of Heat Stress in Elite Athletes. Elite athletes experience heat stress during endurance events as they reach natural barriers of heat dissipation and thermal regulation. These stresses limit performance and present severe psychological challenges. Research showing that cooling body temperatures prior to competition can increase performance led the Australian Institute of Sport to develop ice jackets during the 1990s. Our project will develop a new generation of athlete garments embedded with phase change materials that provide efficient cooling during competition, without the disadvantages of ice chilling. These novel materials may provide a competitive edge under the extreme conditions expected at the Athens Olympics and beyond.Read moreRead less
Three-Dimensional Polymer Fibre Scaffolds with Functional Nano-structured Surface. The Partner Organisation to this research, CyGenics Ltd, is a world leader in cell biotechnology. A key challenge faced by the CyGenics and other biotech companies is the provision of tissue scaffolding materials that have the right three-dimensional macroscopic structure plus a suitable nano-structured surface micro-environment, similar to the natural extracellular matrix. This joint project combines expertise in ....Three-Dimensional Polymer Fibre Scaffolds with Functional Nano-structured Surface. The Partner Organisation to this research, CyGenics Ltd, is a world leader in cell biotechnology. A key challenge faced by the CyGenics and other biotech companies is the provision of tissue scaffolding materials that have the right three-dimensional macroscopic structure plus a suitable nano-structured surface micro-environment, similar to the natural extracellular matrix. This joint project combines expertise in polymer fibres, surface engineering and cell culture to tackle the key challenge. The outcome will help position the local polymer fibre and cell culture industries at the forefront of tissue scaffolding materials research and development. Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH210100023
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Functional and Sustainable Fibres. This Research Hub aims to expand Australia’s position in fibres, textiles and composites by developing next generation functional fibre materials and creating synergy between functionality and sustainability, two key attributes that have hitherto been mutually exclusive. The Hub will transform regional and national economies from traditional manufacturing to a vibrant future fibre oriented advanced manufacturing sector with functionality an ....ARC Research Hub for Functional and Sustainable Fibres. This Research Hub aims to expand Australia’s position in fibres, textiles and composites by developing next generation functional fibre materials and creating synergy between functionality and sustainability, two key attributes that have hitherto been mutually exclusive. The Hub will transform regional and national economies from traditional manufacturing to a vibrant future fibre oriented advanced manufacturing sector with functionality and sustainability as central tenets. Expected outcomes include industry adoption of novel fibre-based materials, processing and recycling technologies; creating jobs, significant environmental benefits, and positioning Australia at the front of a global shift towards functional and sustainable materials.Read moreRead less