Progress in the global functional textiles

The development of personal protective equipment, medical textiles , safe and durable transportation and construction fiber materials and high-performance composite materials has shown a huge development space for functional textiles. At present, the research carried out on this topic mainly includes: (1) functional shielding materials, mainly thermal or noise isolation and protection, filtration/separation medium and protection of biological, chemical, radiation and nuclear pollution (CBRN); (2) composite structural materials, including three-dimensional structural textiles, sandwich structural materials, and mechanically reinforced composite materials; (3) interactive fiber materials (Interactive), which usually have three functions, namely sensitivity, reactivity and usability, including Flexible sensor products, energy conversion products and fiber products with various chemical modifiers; (4) Environmentally friendly fiber materials, mainly including biopolymers and fibers thereof and fiber materials based on renewable resources (such as fibers) Utilization of prime resources).

In recent years, based on bio-based polymer materials such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA), polymer submicron-nanofiber (50-1000 nm) composite mesh prepared by melt-blown process has been obtained in the medical field. Progress. The nanofibers produced by the improved melt-blown process have no difference in processability, structural properties and the like from conventional electrospinning products, and relatively large-scale production conditions.

Nanocellulose, which is derived from wood pulp, straw, sugar beet and starch raw materials, has also entered the commercial market. Among them, the density of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) is only 1.5g/cm3, and the breaking strength is even better than that of steel and carbon fiber . Therefore, the good performance of nanocellulose reinforced composites is generally valued by the fiber materials industry. Nanocellulose flexible electrical products under development, such as flexible displays, LEDs, solar cells, and self-powered products, have also contributed to the market for electroactive polymers and interactive smart textiles.

Research practice shows that biology and nanotechnology are important technical ways to develop functional polymers and their fiber products. The combination of bioengineering miniaturization and active conductive polymer technology has greatly advanced the advancement of wearable technology and portable energy technology.

Smart textiles are derived from the interdisciplinary combination of fiber materials with electrical, measurement, computer science, etc., and their products exhibit technical characteristics such as energy storage, communication, data processing and sensor/brake functions. In recent years, the application of smart textiles in telemedicine has attracted people's attention. The physiological signals of patient activities can be continuously transmitted to doctors.

The 2017 World Textiles and Fashion Summit (iTech Style Summit 2017) is optimistic that technological advances in smart textiles will make a huge difference in traditional medical methods. The traditional medical method, that is, the doctor facing the patient, the clinically necessary examinations will need to be completed in a special room. The flexible examination system is expected to be formed in 2020; the diagnosis, medical treatment and nursing can be in the patient's home in 2025. Conducted; a platform for personal remote diagnosis and treatment will emerge in 2030.

The 21st century can be said to be a new material century. It is expected that the global smart polymer market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 21.9% between 2016 and 2026. From 2016 to 2024, the annual average compound growth rate of global smart textiles will reach 35.0%. The new fiber and smart textile market will continue to grow.