Technical
Smart Textiles
What do cut-resistant structures with an alarm function, textile therapy and assistance systems, light structures, shading systems or integrated product protection have in common with RFID systems? All of the applications listed have an integrated smart additional function and therefore belong to the category of smart textiles.
Smart textiles and wearables have been a steadily growing market for years, driven primarily by megatrends such as digitalisation, sport, medicine, demographics and mobility. This growth is favoured by the now widespread and still growing availability of the necessary IT infrastructure. In addition, the acceptance of smart products, especially in the outdoor, health and sports sectors, and the associated provision of personal data by users is increasing. The combination of these developments also enables the establishment of new business models. We can draw on our expert partner network to develop production chains and business models.
The STFI has been working on intelligent textiles for many years, particularly in the field of technical textiles. "Smart technical textiles" are used in technical applications, especially for the conversion, generation and transport of energy and for reacting to external influences. The STFI has the expertise and an interdisciplinary network to bring together users, textile technologists, technicians, computer scientists, chemists and designers. The STFI supports product and technology development, provides plant technology and expertise for tests and is involved in the development and realisation of test methods and standards.
Every smart textile, regardless of the manufacturing method and the materials chosen, is subject to a product life cycle. At the end of this life cycle, the valuable raw materials of the products must be reused or recycled. Against the backdrop of current developments and requirements regarding the climate-neutral production and use of smart technical textiles, the development of recycling solutions is also a focus of work at the STFI.
Any questions?
Your contact
Dipl.-Ing.
Dirk Zschenderlein
Department Manager Intelligent Production Systems
Phone: +49 371 5274-283
Developing smart materials
- Textiles with integrated functions (e.g. flat structures, net, grid and rope structures)
- Interactive and auxetic textile structures
- Functional coatings and customised 3D printed substances
- Contract research and customer-orientated product developments
Integration of functions
- Sensory and actuator
- Communicative
- Heating and cooling
- Luminous
Function integration process
- Processing fibre optic and conductive materials
- Application of liquid & paste-like substances
- Component & system integration
- Digital and 3D printing
Technologies and technical equipment
- Warp knitting, weaving, embroidery, knitting, KEMAFIL and rope weaving
- Coating and surface modification
- Digital and 3D printing
- Extrusion and compounder technology
Development of testing methods
- Application-related and specific development and realisation of test methods
- Example: Cut protection (cut resistance, stab protection)
- Application: Safety technology, protective clothing, tarpaulins
Recycling of smart textiles
- Mechanical processing of waste
- Ongoing research (e.g. in the ZIM network RE4TEX)
- Basic consulting and concept development
- Contact and partner mediation
Fields of application
Research and application areas
Geotextiles and building textiles
- Structural monitoring in geotextiles (e.g. dykes)
- Monitoring in buildings (e.g. moisture, bearing loads)
- Earthquake-proof construction
Your contact
Dipl.-Ing. Dipl.-Ing. (FH) | Dipl.-Ing. Dipl.-Ing. |
Medical textiles
- Thermal management in medical technology and orthopaedics
- Textile support structures for detecting and correcting body postures
- Sensory textile systems for the care sector
Your Contact
Dipl.-Ing. Elke Thiele Dipl.-Biol. Jens Mählmann Theresa Meixner, M. Sc. | Dipl.-Phys. Nadine Liebig Jenny Liebelt, M. Sc. |
Industrial textiles
- Technical net and rope structures made of high-performance fibres with sensitive properties for load monitoring
- Protective and safety nets, nets for maritime applications, tension and load-bearing elements, rockfall protection nets
- Production of photovoltaic (PV) layers on flexible technical textiles
- Self-sufficient power supply for vehicles and silo roofs
- Building-integrated photovoltaics with textile-based solar cells
Your Contact
Dipl.-Ing. | Dipl.-Chem. |
Protective textiles
- Cut-resistant special fabrics for tarpaulins, covers, tents incl. alarm function
- Padding for sensitive materials (e.g. cooling for transporting medicines)
Your Contact
Dipl.-Ing. | Dipl.-Biol. |