AITEX develops R+D+I projects to create Smart textiles and ICT solutions for the textile industry and is also closely involved in new technology assessment, the transfer of new technologies to companies.

The Institute has the technological infrastructure necessary for this field of research.

• Textronic laboratory
• High-performance embroiderer
• Experimental equipment to print electronic circuits on fabrics
• Experimental artificial vision equipment
• Experimental 3D printer

LINES OF RESEARCH

Smart textiles

Smart textiles can detect and react to physiological, environmental, mechanical, electrical or magnetic external stimuli to provide the wearer with an additional benefit and often incorporate information and communication components.

I. Textronic sensorisation: the integration of electronic devices in textile structures
This line of research studies the development of projects concerned with the following:

II. Printed electronics
Advances in printers and inks have meant that successive layers of material can be built up, each with different conductive and electrochemical properties and characteristics which in turn means that new applications can be created such as:

III. The functionalisation of yarns and fabrics
Advances in materials have meant that the fibre, yarn, fabric or the finished garment itself can now be enhanced with functions:

IV. 3D printing
3D printing allows much shorter lead times between product design and final production and is cheaper and easier to operate than other additive manufacturing processes. This research line mainly studies the following:

ICT solutions

Among the many advantages of the industrial applications provided by information and communication technology, ICT helps optimise industrial processes, improving performance, sales management and contact between clients and suppliers as well as providing better data management tools to aid the decision-making process.

I. Artificial vision
AV is an extremely useful tool for acquiring, processing and analysing images captured during high-speed, repetitive processes which would be impossible with the naked eye. The Institute is working on the following research and development lines:

II. RFID technology
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) improves the traceability of products through the supply chain and optimises stock control, speeds up order processing and reduces picking errors. AITEX is working on projects related to the following lines:

III. Industria 4.0
The core goal of Industria 4.0 is the introduction of digital technology into industry to allow devices and systems to interact and modify or adapt processes, products and business models. To this end, help will be provided to textile companies seeking to implant innovative digital systems.

IV: Emotional interactive commerce

Nanotechnology and technical fibres for the development of products and industrial processes: the use of nanotechnology helps in the development of enhanced textiles with a range of technical properties which include: anti-bacterial, fungicidal, hydrophobic, hydrophilic and nano-coated fabrics. There are also thermally resistant, conductive, anti-static, breathable, high-strength, bulletproof and camouflaged fabrics and those which have been sensorised to create Smart textiles. The Institute is fully equipped with all the experimental plant and necessary infrastructure to develop the following lines of research.

Nanotechnology applied to textiles

I. Functionalisation via compounding. The additivation of thermoplastic matrices with nanoparticles
The formulation of compounds or masterbatches for spinning.

Thermoplastic matrices:

• Nano-additives: metals, oxides metallic matrices, silicates (clays), pigments, carbon materials and microcapsules.
• Other additives: CB, microspheres, PCM’s, conventional pigments, photo and thermochromic, phosphorescent and fluorescent additives.
   

II. Functionalisation via coating. Functional coatings on fibres

• Melt-coating to apply a molten polymer to the surface of a yarn.
• Dip-coating by immersion. ➢ Technical melt spinning

I. Spinning multifilament yarns
Creating a continuous filament
The development of multifilament fibres using melt spinning.

II. Monofilament spinning
Development of melt-spun monofilament yarn.

III. Spinning

• Development of flat tape
• Optimisation of thickness/width ratio
• Bicomponent technology Textile processing technology

Processes and products in the spinning subsector value chain.

I. Air-texturing (TASLAN). ATY yarn

II. Friction texturing. DTY yarn
Texturized by false twist

III. Complementary operations

• Twisting and commingling
• Crimping
• Cutting for staple fibres

IV. Plain weaving
To develop prototype flat fabrics with different weaves and densities.

V. Warp knitting

VI. Splitting; from multi to monofilament.