This study investigated the valorization of keratin extracted from sheep wool waste for the preparation of PLA/SBS/Keratin composites as potential adsorbents for the removal of chromium (Cr) from synthetic water. A flexible formulation containing 75 wt% PLA and 25 wt% SBS was selected for the incorporation of 10 wt%, 20 wt%, and 30 wt% keratin. The morphology and structural characteristics of keratin and PLA-based composites were analyzed using SEM and FT-IR spectroscopy. The mechanical and thermal properties of the prepared composites were investigated using TGA and DMA analyses. The adsorption experiments revealed that keratin exhibited an adsorption capacity of 57.57 mg g-1 of Cr(VI) removal efficiency, while the PLA/SBS formulation containing 10 wt% keratin achieved a removal efficiency of total Cr of 55.41%. After three regeneration cycles, the removal efficiency decreased by approximately half of the total Cr removal.
The global burden of cancer continues to grow, with bone cancer—though rare—posing serious challenges in terms of treatment and post-surgical reconstruction. Autologous bone grafting remains the gold standard, yet limitations such as donor site morbidity drive the search for alternative solutions. Tissue engineering, combining biomaterials and therapeutic agents, offers promising avenues. This study focuses on the development of multifunctional scaffolds based on collagen and hydroxyapatite obtained by the freeze-drying technique and incorporating both synthetic (doxorubicin) and natural (caffeic acid) compounds for osteosarcoma treatment. These scaffolds aim to combine tumor inhibition with bone regeneration, addressing the dual need for local drug delivery and structural repair in bone cancer therapy. The characterization of these composite materials revealed that a spongious structure with interconnected pores and a homogeneous pore distribution, with pore sizes between 20 and 250 μm suitable for osteoblasts infiltration. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed the formation of hydroxyapatite inside the collagen matrix. LDH and XTT assays confirmed that the antitumoral scaffolds possess great potential for osteosarcoma treatment, showing that after 3 days of culturing, the extracts containing doxorubicin-7A, both alone and in combination with caffeic acid-9A, significantly reduced the viability of cell lines to below 7% and 20%, respectively.
Textile camouflage structures designed for weather protection, combat suits, and military uniforms for land forces are defined by their physical, mechanical, and optical properties. An analysis of the statistical populations of reflection within the wavelength range of 860-1200 nm revealed the degree of dispersion in the measured values. A novel method was developed to determine the weight of monochromatic areas on a multi-coloured surface. Various camouflage textile structures were examined to investigate the correlation between reflection indices and the weight of the single-coloured regions. Several parameters were identified, including the colour index, the range of colour reflectance, the area covered by each colour, and the weight of the colour-covered region. To assess the degree of reflection for each colour within the spectral range of 860-1200 nm, the median of the reflection values was calculated, as it provides a more representative measure of the overall reflective properties. The frequency distribution of these values was analysed, leading to the establishment of a ranking of camouflage types based on their reflection coefficients, starting with the lowest reflection value. Regression curves were derived for the reflection index values at wavelengths between 860-1200 nm, with increments of 10 nm. These initial regression curves, along with those weighted by colour area, include regression equations for the analysed textile structure variants. These equations enable the calculation of the regression index as a function of wavelength.
Maritime oil spill accidents should not be regarded as irreversible disasters, as hydrocarbons are recoverable and economically valuable resources that, when efficiently processed, can be reintroduced into the economic value chain. Currently, five principal strategies are employed to mitigate hydrocarbon pollution: natural biodegradation, transfer to storage barges, in situ combustion, dispersion within the water column, and surface concentration followed by recovery. This paper focuses on the fifth strategy-concentration and recovery of hydrocarbons from the water surface-by presenting an iterative development approach for two composite materials intended for use in a naval emergency response unit. This unit is specifically engineered to improve the efficiency of hydrocarbon collection, concentration and recovery during maritime spill incidents, particularly under emergency conditions. The composite materials comprise a textile matrix structure made from 100% polyester yarns, obtained through a weaving process and subsequently coated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to enhance mechanical durability and resistance to water and oil. To optimise the structural performance of the composites in marine environments, textile engineering methodologies were applied, including advanced Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) tools. This research highlights the critical role of the textile structure and the intrinsic properties of polyester fibres, including their tensile strength, flexibility, and chemical resistance to oil, saltwater, and ultraviolet (UV) degradation. An iterative design methodology supported by virtual prototyping was employed to evaluate how textile construction techniques-such as weaving and coating-affect the deployment of the composite material's overall mechanical performance and suitability for deployment in emergency oil spill response operations.
This paper presents the essential aspects of the impact of intensive learning materials using online interactive courses and mobilities for learning organised in the ADDTEX Erasmus+ project for involving students in transnational cooperation-based working groups for smart textile prototype development. The e-learning tools and methods (interactive videos, quizzes and smart prototype development), in both asynchronous and synchronous formats, used in the framework of the ADDTEX Erasmus+ project revealed a successful acceptance of the end-users (students and young researchers) attending the online courses through the ADDTEX platform providing Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and hackathons organized in comparison with classical teaching methods without digitilased courses and practical prototype development. Also, the on-site summer school organised in Prato, Italy, came with the possibility of working in transnational teams and contributing to the documentation and creation of prototypes and appropriate business plans. At the end of this activity, the students presented the prototypes and business canvas model developed in teams and received rigorous feedback from smart textile industry specialists. The asynchronous learning format allowed students and young researchers to familiarise themselves with green and digital transitions and smart textiles in the EU context. The synchronous e-learning organised in the hackathon format allowed students to interact with companies and clusters and solve the challenges proposed by the industry. The lesson content on ADDTEX MOOC has been delivered in an attractive format using interactive videos, graphics, animation and videos with digital teachers explaining the course.
