Research
Our research focuses on fundamental physico-chemical principles and mechanisms, and also on product and process development with industry partners.
The themes are:
- Fibre chemistry and functionalisation
- Interaction fibres / dyes / additives
- Cellulose and other polysaccharides
- Natural fibres / natural colorants
- Textile and fibre reinforced composites
- Applied electrochemistry and textile dyeing processing
- Textile based energy storage systems / energy conversion
- Reactive coatings / conductive coatings
- Formaldehyde free crosslinkers
- Chemical separation and recovery of textile fibres
The institute hosts the Core Facility Interface in Hybrid Systems and is also listed as EU Key Enabling Technology Centre.
The Institute's research activities are typically organised in projects in the following areas:
Hybrid structures and interfaces (Responsible: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Tung Pham)
We aim to deepen the understanding of the interactions in hybrid systems and develop efficient textile hybrid structures. This involves fibre functionalization and surface activation to enhance interfacial adhesion, with studies focusing on reaction-triggered diffusion and absorption at the phase boundary in heterogeneous systems. Potential applications include salt-free dyeing processes and high-swelling, highly absorbant materials.
Functional materials and energy (Responsible: Dr. Noemi Aguilo-Aguayo)
Our research focuses on developing efficient 3D textile electrodes and integrating conductive structures and sensors in textiles. We are exploring textile-based 3D structures as electrodes to enhance performance in electrochemical energy storage systems, including metal-ion batteries and redox flow batteries, as well as for hydrogen production. Additionally, we are advancing methods for creating conductive coatings on textiles, such as electroless metallization and in-situ polymerization of conductive polymers. These conductive structures have broad applications, from medical sensors to personal protective equipment, and beyond.
Bio-based materials, sustainability and circularity (Responsible: assoz. Prof. Dr. Avinash P. Manian)
We prioritize sustainable textile, including bio-based fiber materials and recycling of textile waste into secondary raw materials. Projects aim to expand the use of renewable materials like hemp and flax fibers through targeted delignification or to increase the utility of cellulose fibres through derivatization. Another focus is on developing technologies to separate and recover fibers polymers from used textiles, such as extracting elastic polyurethane (elastane) from polyamide or polyester blends. This enables textile waste textiles to re-etner the fiber-to-fiber cycle as valuable raw materials.
In addition, the area of food technology is being established at the institute (Responsible: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Tung Pham, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thomas Bechtold)
The research activities in this area include (1) understanding interaction mechanisms between food ingredients such as proteins, hydrocolloids, antioxidants etc, (2) stabilisation of multiphase systems, e.g. interfacial phenomena, emulsifiers, stabilization of fat/oil/water systems, control of flow and trickling behaviour, (3) colour stability, including natural dyes, e.g. stability of anthocyanin dyes in fruit juices, jams and vegetable preparations, chemical mechanism of dye degradation and identification of degradation products.