Skip to main content

Plenary Speeches

Prof. Xungai Wang - AUTEX2023 Plenary Speech

A Century
of Textile Research

Image of Prof. Xungai Wang Plenary Speaker for AUTEX2023

Summary

The year 1923 marked a critical juncture for the textile research community. It was the year when the Journal of the Textile Institute began to publish original research concerning fibers and textiles. It also marked a turning point in recognizing textile technology as a scientific discipline for serious research and development. Since then, fiber and textile research has flourished and permeated into many other fields, with original research findings reported in both textile and non-textile related journals. This presentation will look back at a century of textile research, and highlight some of the key works conducted by eminent scientists in the field. A collection of commentaries on these works by leading researchers will be published in a special issue of the Journal of the Textile Institute this year, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Journal publishing original textile research.

Short CV

Professor X Wang is a Global STEM Scholar and Chair Professor of Fiber Science and Technology at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He is a Fellow of the Textile Institute, and a recipient of the Fiber Society Distinguished Achievement Award. Professor Wang serves as the editor-in-chief for the Journal of the Textile Institute, and as an editorial board member of major international research journals in the field. His research interests are in natural fibers, sustainable and functional fiber materials, yarn technology, novel textile processing and characterization technologies.

Prof. Bijoya Kumar Behera - AUTEX2023 Plenary Speech

Design and manufacturing of advanced multifunctional textile structural composites

Image of Prof. Bijoya Kumar Behera Plenary Speaker for AUTEX2023

Summary

Novel materials with unique properties compared to conventional materials are named as advanced materials that help modern industries to drive technological innovations and optimise the cost and efficiency of existing traditional materials and products. These materials include biomaterials, smart materials, nano-engineered materials, auxetic materials, smart composites for structural health monitoring, structural power composites,and a large variety of advanced textile structural composite materials. This paper presents development of textile structural composites as a new class of high-performance functional materials in the Focus incubation centre of  IIT Delhi where the emphasis is given to produce innovative fibre architecture in manufacturing of tough, net shape, damage resistance, ductile, light weightmultifunctional structural composites. The toughening and strengthening of polymer, metal, and ceramic matrix composites through the use of 3-D fibre architecture is demonstrated with experimental evidence. Number of experimental investigations revealed the potential of 3D textile structural composites to be used in automotives, aerospace, marine, wind energy and civil engineering applications. Techniques for the modelling of textile structural composite for their mechanical performance are also illustrated with examples in specific applications. Engineering design and manufacturing of woven auxetic composites, metal matrix fibre reinforced composites, multifunctional structural power composite, metal laminates/sandwich materials, woven structural composite radome and several 3D woven structure based composites are discussed with experimental results of their structural and non-structural functions.

Short CV

Dr B. K. Behera is working as professor in the Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. His area of specialization includes Fabric manufacturing, 3D weaving and Braiding, Apparel Engineering and Quality control, Fabric Hand, Project Management, Textile Structural Composites and Concretes and Mechanics of Textile Structure.  His Current research interest includesDesign and manufacturing of Textile structural composites and concretes, Auxetic Weaving, Green composites, 3D weaving, Protective Clothing, Automotive Textiles. Prof. Behera has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed papers  and delivered more than 350  talks in various international conferences and symposia including 70 plenary and invited speech in international conferences. He has authored, co-authored and chapter contributions in 15 books relating to Textile structural Mechanics, Soft computing in Textiles and Weaving Technology. Prof. Behera has supervised 30 PhD and 70 Master thesis.  He has seven patents to his credit. Prof. Behera has successfully completed 25 sponsored research projects and more than 75 industrial consultancy projects as principal investigator. At present he is chief of a Focus Incubation Center in 3D weaving and Structural composites supported by Ministry of Textiles. He has also worked as visiting professor in Shinshu university Japan, Technical university of Liberec, Czech Republic and University of Sao Paul, Brazil and Usak university Turkey. He has been an invited speaker in many foreign universities and institutions which includes Shinshu University Japan, Technical university Liberec, VUTS research centre Czech Republic, Promatech Machinery Research centre Italy, Composite research institute Budapest, Sao Paulo university Brazil.  Prof. Behera is member of governing council of several reputed Textile institutions and member of Board of studies in five Technical universities. Prof. Behera has a very strong interaction with several reputed textile industries in India in the capacity of a consultant. He is also member of Board of Directors of three reputed textile companies in India.

Prof. Chokri Cherif - AUTEX2023 Plenary Speech

Interactive fiber-based materials for human-machine interfaces and the tactile internet

Image of Prof. Chokri Cherif Plenary Speaker for AUTEX2023

Summary

The emerging fields of switchable soft robotics and smart textiles have the potential to revolutionize the tactile internet by enabling the development of novel materials and systems that are capable of self-adaptation, sensing, and actuation. Interactive fiber rubber composites (I-FRC) are fiber-reinforced elastomer materials that are equipped with structurally integrated actuator and sensor networks. This innovative approach allows for the direct integration of actuators and sensors during the manufacturing process, resulting in a more robust and adaptable material. The development of I-FRC will enable the reversible and contactless adjustment of mechanical components, leading to a range of potential applications across various fields including soft robotics for human-machine interaction and prosthetics.

Smart textiles, on the other hand, offer a promising solution to facilitate the interaction between humans and machines in the tactile internet. These textiles can transduce motion and sense from and to the body, enabling the development of wearable devices that can adapt to the user's needs and environment. With their ability to detect and respond to environmental changes, smart textiles have the potential to improve the safety, comfort, and efficiency of various applications such as healthcare, sports, and entertainment. These scenarios include smart gloves or e-skins for remote teaching and rehabilitation.

The integration of I-FRC and smart textiles holds immense potential for the development of novel systems that are more robust, adaptable, and responsive to changing environments. The synergy between these two fields can facilitate the development of innovative materials and devices that can enhance the user experience and improve the functionality of various applications. Therefore, the exploration and development of these fields are discussed and how they further advance the tactile internet and its applications.

Short CV

Prof. Chokri Cherif is presently the Director of the Institute of Textile Machinery and High-Performance Material Technology (ITM) at TU Dresden. He is twice graduated in Mechanical Engineering and Business and Economics. After finishing both studies, he completed his Ph.D. in the field of textile technology, followed by a three years period of post-doctoral studies. After that he held key positions at Rieter Ingolstadt Spinnereimaschinenbau AG, as Technology Manager, Chief Department Manager of Development and Design and Member of the Executive Board. During his industry activities, he worked as an Assistant Professor at RWTH Aachen. In 2005, he accepted the professorship for Textile Technology at the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering at TU Dresden.Since then, he has held various consultant positions for the EU as well as German research foundations and companies. Under his leadership, the ITM has received over 120 awards for excellent student theses, dissertations, and scientific projects. From 2010 - 2013 Professor Cherif was President of AUTEX. He was awarded the German Future Prize for Technology and Innovation, presented by the German President, for the joint research project ‘’Fascinating Carbon Concrete – resource-efficient, environment-friendly, slender”. He also received the Energy Globe World Award for Carbon Concrete Composites.Professor Cherif has nearly 300 national and international patents.Since 2009, he is CEO of his company TUDATEX GmbH in Dresden, Germany, and is exceptionally well-networked with numerous companies and OEM in automotive, medicine, machine construction, civil engineering and energy.

Prof. Guangming Tao - AUTEX2023 Plenary Speech

Functional Fibers Towards Intelligent Space

Image of Prof. Guangming Tao Plenary Speaker for AUTEX2023

Summary

Functional fiber materials and devices shed a new light on intelligent matter. By integrating multifunctional materials into flexible fibers and their assemblies, the dynamic multi-physical parameters in the human-matter interactions are acquired and regulated.It is of great significance to explore preciseandscalablefabricationof functional fiber materials and devices for embodied intelligence in diverse environments.Thistalkwillpresent our recent progress on functionalfibersforintelligentspace: 1) It will highlight the scalable daytime radiative cooling with the hierarchical-morphologymetafabrics, inducing a temperature difference of ~5°C on body, and ~30°C on car model. 2) A new strategy of electronic fabrics with digital perception is discussed. The interactive accuracy of up to 96% of the electronic fabric was achieved with adesignable and scalable braided electronic cord. 3) An intuitive medical robot, called fiberbots, is briefly introduced, and the collaborative design of precise navigation and energy delivery enabled a navigation-tasking-recycling interventional platform in vivo.

Short CV

Guangming Tao is a Professor of Wuhan National Laboratory of Optoelectronics, and the School of Materials Science and Engineering, the Director of Sports and Health Initiative, Optics Valley Laboratory, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. His research interests include interdisciplinary research on passive thermal management materials, intelligent fiber and fabric space, and minimally invasive medical fiberbot. He has published 90+ papers in journals including Science and more, holds 38+ granted and 46+ pending patents. Professor Tao’s research group received 2021 Award for China’s Top 10 Optical Breakthroughs, Top 10 Social Impact Events in China’s Optics Field in 2021, and the Candidate Projects of China Issues Top 10 Scientific Advances of 2021, etc. He is currently the Deputy Director of the Division of Fiber Materials and Composite Technology of China Materials Research Society, Associate Editor of Advanced Fiber Materials, Editorial Board member of Journal of Textile Research, Director of the Third Youth Editorial Board of China Laser Press.

Prof. Alice Payne - AUTEX2023 Plenary Speech

Governing the ungovernable: the regulation reshaping the fashion and textiles industries

Image of Prof. Alice Payne Plenary Speaker for AUTEX2023

Summary

The fashion and textiles industries are under global pressure to address the social and environmental harms caused by their products. From human rights due diligence regulation to extended producer responsibility, governments are now acting. Yet how effective are these forms of regulation within a boundaryless, globalised world? This talk examines the key regulatory trends and their implications for industry.

Short CV

Dr Alice Payne is a Professor and Dean of the School of Fashion and Textiles at RMIT. Her research focuses on environmental and social sustainability issues throughout the life cycle of clothing. Recent work has examined labour issues in the cotton value chain, as well as technologies to address the problem of textile waste. Alice is part of the Australian Fashion Council-led consortium designing the National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme. She is author of the book Designing Fashion’s Future, co-editor of Global Perspectives on Sustainable Fashion, and is an award-winning designer and educator.

Dr. Amit Jadhav - AUTEX2023 Plenary Speech

Textile Materials for Medical Devices: Innovations and Challenges in Design and Manufacturing

Image of Dr. Amit Jadhav Plenary Speaker for AUTEX2023

Summary

Textiles are increasingly being used in the design and manufacture of medical devices due to their unique properties such as flexibility, breathability, touch and feel properties. However, the use of textile materials in medical devices presents several challenges related to material selection, design, manufacturing, testing, and regulatory compliance. This talkwill discuss the process of developing textile components for a medical device from concept to user. This process involves many cross functional teams at every stage of development. It also examines the application of textile fabrics from various textile manufacturing technologies, including their properties, advantages, and limitations. In addition, the regulatory landscape for medical textiles and the importance of ensuring the safety and efficacy of textile-based components for medical devices will be discussed. This talk aims to provide insights into the design and development of textile-based medical devices and highlight the opportunities and challenges in this field.

Short CV

Dr Amit Jadhav is a Lead Textile Engineer in a Textile Centre of Excellence (CoE) at ResMed Ltd, Singapore since 2019. He is an experienced Material Scientist with a demonstrated history of working on Advanced Textile Materials for more than 15 years. He is passionate about the development of new textile-based products through design, concepts and their translation from research to industrial platforms. Currently, he leads technology driven projects to scope out new materials, innovative processes and manufacturing technologies to develop next generation textile based medical devices. Prior to ResMed, he was working in the Centre for Materials Innovation and Future Fashion (CMIFF) at RMIT University. During his tenure he commercialised patented laser ablation technology for automotive textiles, which was recognised as a one of the successful case studies for research commercialisation in Australia. He was also involved in several research projects in the area of advanced performance textiles. Throughout his career, Dr Amit has remained committed to pushing the boundaries of textile engineering, and his work has had a significant impact on the industry. His passion for innovation and dedication to advancing the field make him a valuable contributor to the textile research & development community.He is an avid researcher, having developed few patents and publications related to advanced textile materials/technologies. Dr Amit holds a PhD degree from RMIT University, Australia and MSc degree from University of Leeds, UK. He was awarded the prestigious Endeavour Scholarship and British Chevening Scholarship for his PhD and Master studies respectively.