Smart textiles represent a modern group of advanced materials that are currently in a phase of intensive development and are based on the application of new technological achievements. They constitute an interdisciplinary field that integrates textile engineering, materials science, electronics, informatics, and design. These materials have a unique ability to detect, react to, and adapt to various external stimuli (mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, etc.), enabling the development of functional and interactive textile products. This paper reviews their main characteristics, classification, applied technologies, as well as the various areas of application of smart textiles, with a special focus on their role in fashion design.
The textile industry operates in a highly competitive environment in which product quality and customer satisfaction play a crucial role in achieving market success. Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is an effective methodology for translating customer requirements into technical characteristics and supporting product development and quality improvement processes. This paper presents the application of QFD in the textile industry, with particular emphasis on matrix-based and graph-theoretical modeling approaches. The relationships between customer requirements and technical characteristics are represented through weighted matrices and bipartite graphs, enabling clearer analysis, visualization, and prioritization of product attributes. A simplified QFD model is presented to demonstrate the calculation of technical importance ratings and the interpretation of customer-technical interactions. The study highlights the importance of integrating quality management methods with mathematical modeling in order to improve decision-making, optimize product development processes, and enhance competitiveness in the textile sector.
The development of digital technologies has enabled the analysis of the behavior of clothing products in a virtual environment using 3D simulation. One of the important factors in these simulations is the digital avatar, whose characteristics can affect the interaction between clothing and the body. The aim of this work was to examine the influence of the avatar type and its surface characteristics on the clothing fit and stress distribution during 3D simulation. The simulation was conducted in the Browzwear V-Stitcher software on a dress model made of 100% cotton rib knit (2×2 rib) and interlock. The analysis included two types of avatars (hard and soft Olivia) and three types of avatar surfaces (human, plastic and fabric). The results show that the highest stress values are recorded in the chest area, while the differences between the avatar surfaces are relatively small. At the same time, it was observed that the deformability of the soft avatar affects the contact between clothing and the body and allows for a more natural fall and draping of the material compared to a rigid avatar.
Developing durable and nontoxic antibacterial finishes for natural textiles remains a significant challenge. In this study, bio-derived dialdehyde starch (DAS) was used as a green crosslinker to introduce aldehyde groups onto silk fibers, enabling covalent immobilization of chitosan via Schiff-base reactions through a simple water-based dip-coating process. The grafting yield of aldehyde groups and chitosan was optimized with time and concentration, obtained after 3 h DAS treatment followed by immobilization with 2.0 wt% chitosan and 4 h batching. Aldehyde incorporation was verified by hydroxylamine titration, while chitosan grafting was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and SEM, and further quantified using a bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay. The modified silk exhibited excellent antibacterial activity (99.99% reduction against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus), while untreated silk showed no antibacterial effect. The fabrics retained over 96% antibacterial efficiency after 20 laundering cycles due to stable covalent bonding of chitosan. Meanwhile, hand feel, air permeability, and moisture permeability remained largely unchanged, indicating surface-confined modification. To sum up, this water-based carbohydrate-mediated finishing strategy provides an environmentally friendly route for durable antibacterial silk textiles.
Nonwoven materials have become indispensable in modern agriculture due to their structural versatility, cost-effectiveness, and multifunctional performance. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of nonwoven covers used in agricultural applications, including row covers, mulch fabrics, frost protection systems, and greenhouse shading materials. The relationship between fiber composition, manufacturing technology, and functional performance is critically examined, with emphasis on air and water permeability, thermal insulation, light transmission, and mechanical durability. Conventional petroleum-based nonwovens, predominantly polypropylene, continue to dominate the market; however, increasing environmental concerns related to plastic accumulation and microplastic formation have accelerated the development of biodegradable and bio-based alternatives such as polylactic acid, cellulose-based fibers, and natural fiber composites. The review further explores emerging innovations, including functional coatings, smart nonwovens with sensing capabilities, and AI-assisted structural optimization. Finally, current challenges and future directions are discussed within the framework of sustainable agriculture and circular economy principles. The integration of advanced material design with environmental responsibility positions nonwoven agricultural covers as a key enabling technology for next-generation farming systems.
