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Nanotechnology (NT) advancements in personal protective textiles (PPT) or personal protective equipment (PPE) have alleviated spread and transmission of this highly contagious viral disease, and enabled enhancement of PPE, thereby fortifying antiviral behavior.

Review of a series of state of the art research papers on the subject matter.

This paper expounds on novel nanotechnological advancements in polymeric textile composites, emerging applications and fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

As a panacea to “public droplet prevention,” textiles have proven to be potentially effective as environmental droplet barriers (EDBs).

PPT in form of healthcare materials including surgical face masks (SFMs), gloves, goggles, respirators, gowns, uniforms, scrub-suits and other apparels play critical role in hindering the spreading of COVID-19 and other “oral-respiratory droplet contamination” both within and outside hospitals.

When used as double-layers, textiles display effectiveness as SFMs or surgical-fabrics, which reduces droplet transmission to <10 cm, within circumference of ∼0.3%.

NT advancements in textiles through nanoparticles, and sensor integration within textile materials have enhanced versatile sensory capabilities, robotics, flame retardancy, self-cleaning, electrical conductivity, flexibility and comfort, thereby availing it for health, medical, sporting, advanced engineering, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, military, automobile, food and agricultural applications, and more. Therefore, this paper expounds on recently emerging trends in nanotechnological influence in textiles for engineering and fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

We present an overview of photonic textile displays woven on a Jacquard loom, using newly discovered polymer photonic bandgap (PBG) fibers that have the ability to change color and appearance when illuminated with ambient or transmitted light. The photonic fiber can be thin (smaller than 300 microns in diameter) and highly flexible, which makes it possible to weave in the weft on a computerized Jacquard loom and develop intricate double weave structures together with a secondary weft yarn. We demonstrate how PBG fibers enable a variety of color and structural patterns on the textile, and how dynamic imagery can be created by balancing the reflected ambient light and emitted light. Finally, a possible application in security wear for low visibility conditions is described as an example.

This paper aims to improve the refractive index sensor performance for analytes with large refractive index by adopting the technology of microstructured fiber (MF) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR).

The structure adopts an MF with a hexagonal lattice cladding structure composed of all-circular air holes, and three defect regions are introduced. The liquid analyte that needs to be tested is filled in the defect area. The surface plasmon polarition mode is generated and coupled with the core mode, thus forming a refractive index sensing channel. When the resonance conditions are satisfied, the resonance wavelength will be changed with the refractive index of the liquid analyte. All parameters that may affect the performance of the sensor are numerical simulated, and the structure is optimized through a large number of calculations.

The results demonstrate that the maximum dynamic sensitivity (S_R) can reach to 24,260 nm/RIU, and the average sensitivity (S_R-AV) can reach to 18,046 nm/RIU when the refractive index range is from 1.42 to 1.47. Besides, the sensitivity linearity (R²) is approximately 0.965, and its resolution is 4.1 × 10^–6 RIU. The comparison with some literature results shown that the proposed sensor has certain advantages over the sensors reported in these literatures.

This work proposed an SPR-based refractive index sensor with a simple MF structure. It has a certain reference significance for the design and optimization of SPR-based MF sensors. Moreover, owing to its simple structure, high refractive index sensitivity and linear sensing performance, this sensor will play an important role in the detection of high refractive index liquid analytes.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how electronic components can be utilized and integrated into polymeric optical fibre (POF) textiles to refine the design aesthetic, tactile quality and initiate the interaction of textiles with the users; and to study the design process of interactive products by using a novel design process model.

Fashion and textile design methods, textile technology are used in combination with modern technologies such as laser engraving, sensing, short-distance communication technology, throughout the entire process of development of interactive photonics creations.

The results of evaluation indicate that the engineered prototypes can enhance the interactive function of interior furnishing. The usability of interactive POF cushions is optimized by innovative design methods considering both design and technology.

This research explores to combine knowledge from different disciplines, including textile, electronics, sensor and laser to create interactive soft furnishings. The inter-disciplinary research provides a new perspective on how POF fabric can be utilized as a new media to change the way people interact with their living surroundings. The interior soft furnishings are no longer unresponsive to people, but can react to them, adapt to their behaviors, change color according to their preferences and therefore merge into our daily life. The developed prototypes reshape interior soft furnishing, and therefore have both theoretical and practical significance.

The durability of nanoparticles (NPs) is essential to retain their multifunctional properties on the surface of textile products. This study aims to propose a durable and compatible zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) formulation with good antibacterial, ultraviolet (UV) resistance and moisture management properties.

One-step synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) was done through wet chemical technique and characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. Various formulations containing nanoparticles of ZnO along with optimized concentrations of binder, emulsifier nanoparticles and softener are developed and applied to polyester knitted fabric through the pad-dry-cure method. The treated polyester fabric is evaluated for its antibacterial and UV protection activity, moisture management properties, air permeability and durability.

Results show that the zinc oxide nanoparticles have a hexagonal wurtzite structure with a 60–70 nm particle size. FTIR and SEM analysis of nano-loaded polyester knitted fabric before washing and after 20 washes confirm the presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles which shows the durability of the optimized formulation. The treated samples have shown promising antibacterial and moisture management properties and are durable up to 20 washing cycles.

The incorporation of metal oxides into textile materials to enhance their antimicrobial properties has been the subject of considerable research, particularly about cotton and other natural fibers. These natural fibers possess polar sites that promote the effective attachment of metal oxide particles. In contrast, there has been limited investigation into the application of these metal oxides on polyester, a non-polar fiber. Although significant attention has been given to the size and shape of nanoparticles, there remains a notable lack of studies focusing on the impact of binder types and their concentrations on the durability of coated fabrics. This research aims to address the existing gap in knowledge by examining the effects of various binder types and concentrations, in conjunction with differing concentrations of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, on the functional properties and durability of nanoparticle-coated fabrics. The ultimate objective is to enhance the comfort and overall performance of these fabrics for the wearer.

The skin is the largest organ of human, and its care and health are, therefore, important. Cosmetotextiles development transforms daily ordinary textile products into cosmetically active products, ending the need to actively apply the cosmetic substance.

The textiles can act as delivery systems of bioactive compounds such as vitamins, fragrances, metallic compounds and drugs, as well as some plant-based compounds. Encapsulation and grafting/coating technologies have provided these cosmetic ingredients with effective stabilization, sustained dermal delivery and prolonged dermocosmetic efficiency.

Current cosmetotextiles in the market claim to be moisturizing, cellulite-reducing, perfumed, body slimming, energizing, rejuvenating, refreshing, improving the firmness and elasticity of skin or reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This paper provides an overview of the development history, important cosmetic ingredients and their applications and commercial cosmetotextile products available in the market.

For the past few years, the emergence of cosmetic textiles has created even further synergy between the benefits provided by products offered by the textile and cosmetic industries. Thus, cosmetic textiles appear on the market as part of two megatrends – one is a strong movement toward general well-being, and the second is embracing more technology into our everyday lives.

To supply temporary pressure testing devices with favorable performance for emergency environments, this paper aims to present a pressure sensor with a central boss and straight-annular grooves. The structural feature is modeled and optimized by neural network-based method, and the device prototype is fabricated by 3D printing techniques.

The study initially compares mechanical properties of the proposed structure with two conventional designs using finite element analysis. The impacts from structural dimensions on sensor performance are modeled using a Backpropagation neural network and optimized through genetic algorithms. The sensing diaphragm is fabricated using stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing, while the piezoresistors and necessary interconnects are realized with screen printing techniques.

The experimental results demonstrate that the fabricated sensor exhibits a sensitivity of 2.8866 mV/kPa and a nonlinearity of 6.81% within the pressure range of 0–100 kPa. This performance is an improvement of 118% in sensitivity and a decrease of 54% in nonlinearity compared to flat diaphragm structure, highlighting the effectiveness of proposed diaphragm configuration.

This research offers a holistic methodology that encompasses the structural design, optimization and fabrication of pressure sensors. The proposed diaphragm and corresponding modelling method can provide a practical approach to enhance the measurement capabilities of pressure sensors. By leveraging SLA printing for diaphragm and screen printing for circuit, the prototype can be produced in a timely manner.

This paper aims to investigate how different knitted structures affect the illuminative effect of polymeric optical fibres (POFs).

Knit prototypes were constructed using a 7-gauge industrial hand flat knitting machine. The textile prototype swatches developed in this study tested POF illumination in three types of knitting structures: intervallic knit and float stitch structures; POF inlaid into double plain and full cardigan structures; and double plain and partial knitting structures. The illuminative effects of the POFs in seven prototype swatches were analysed and compared.

It is possible to use an industrial hand flat knitting machine to knit POFs. Longer floats expose more POFs, which boosts illumination but limits the textile’s horizontal stretchability. The openness of the full cardigan structure maximises POF exposure and contributes to even illumination. The partial knitting in different sections achieves the most complete physical integration of POFs into the knitted textiles but constrains the horizontal stretchability of the textiles.

The integration of POFs into knitted textiles provides a functional illuminative effect. Applications include but are not limited to fashion, architecture and interior design.

This study is novel, as it investigates new POF knitted textiles with different loop structures. This study examines how knit stitches affect POFs in intervallic knit and float stitch, inlaid POF double knit, double plain and partial knit and the illuminative effects of the knitted textile.

This chapter examines the evolution of the authoritarian political tradition in Russia from its inception to the present, and its influence on the development of Russian mass media. The authoritarian tradition became most pivotal for daily life in Russia, as it ensured that the media fully ascribed to specific political agendas. The cohesion has consistently affected Russian media coverage and continues to shape it today. The authors investigate how precisely this occurs, focusing on several political events, specifically the current situation in Ukraine. Through studying certain empirical materials concerning the political evolution in Russia, the authors answer the question of whether in the future Russian media will be likely to continue serving as an instrument of political propaganda rather than as a source of non-biased information.