Open Access Published by De Gruyter Open Access

Volume 16 Issue 1

March 2016

Issue of AUTEX Research Journal

Contents
Journal Overview

Open Access April 14, 2016

Modification of Cellulose Products by the Use of Chitosan and Chitosan-Alginate Nano-Particles

Kinga Brzoza-Malczewska, Magdalena Kucharska, Marzena Dymel, Beata Pałys, Anna Bacciarelli-Ulacha

Page range: 1-6

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Abstract

Aim of the presented research was the improvement of fibrous cellulosic products for uses in hygiene and medical sectors. Nano-particles of bioactive polysaccharides were imparted to cellulosic fibrous products to modify their properties: physical–chemical like absorption, biological like antibacterial and antifungal activity, and mechanical. Fibrous materials like dressing gauze, wood-wool, and hygiene tissues were modified by the addition of chitosan and chitosan-alginate nano-particles. Padding and freeze-drying was applied in the coating of the fibrous materials with the nano-sized polymers.

Open Access April 14, 2016

Electrical Properties of PPy-Coated Conductive Fabrics for Human Joint Motion Monitoring

Hu Jiyong, Zhang Xiaofeng, Li Guohao, Yang Xudong, Ding Xin

Page range: 7-12

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Abstract

Body motion signals indicate several pathological features of the human body, and a wearable human motion monitoring system can respond to human joint motion signal in real time, thereby enabling the prevention and treatment of some diseases. Because conductive fabrics can be well integrated with the garment, they are ideal as a sensing element of wearable human motion monitoring systems. This study prepared polypyrrole conductive fabric by in situ polymerization, and the anisotropic property of the conductive fabric resistance, resistance–strain relationship, and the relationship between resistance and the human knee and elbow movements are discussed preliminarily.

Open Access April 14, 2016

The Manufacturing of Textile Products with Incorporated Electrodes

Antonela Curteza, Viorica Cretu, Laura Macovei, Marian Poboroniuc

Page range: 13-18

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Abstract

One of the main causes of disabling deficits is neurological affections. Many times, the evolution of the condition leads to a diminution of the patient’s life quality. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is part of the neurological rehabilitation process that comprises all the actions one can take in order to increase a patient’s integration and autonomy degree from a social and financial point of view. FES is a method based on substituting the commands that are usually transmitted by the nervous system with an electric impulse. The use of such a method on different body areas required the development of some adequate devices, starting with the stimulator itself and finishing with the way in which the stimulus is conveyed to the effectors. Textile materials that incorporate sensors and, mainly, the clothing products that have such components in their structure, have a high applicability potential; they can be used for preventing illnesses and for the rehabilitation of seniors, of people who are confined to bed, sportsmen, people who suffer from long-term illnesses, disabled people, thus diminishing the time one spends in the hospital. A possible solution for manufacturing incorporated textile electrodes consists in the insertion of some electro-conductive yarns onto textile surfaces by using a variety of technologies. The project approaches the use of knitting, a widespread textile technology. The incorporated knitted electrodes were accomplished by applying the knitting technology on single circular small diameter machines. Thus, we were able to obtain a variety of knitted articles as two-dimensional or three-dimensional tubular knitted fabric. Their dimensions, structures, and parameters correspond to the typo-dimensions of the human body and to the purpose for which the clothing product was designed. The knitted versions were tested by using a Microstim2v2 (PW = 300 μs, 40 Hz) neurostimulator for which the current intensity was adjusted to approx. 30 mA.

Open Access April 14, 2016

Skin Cancer and UV Protection

Anita Tarbuk, Ana Marija Grancarić, Mirna Šitum

Page range: 19-28

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Abstract

The incidence of skin cancer is increasing by epidemic proportions. Basal cell cancer remains the most common skin neoplasm, and simple excision is generally curative. On the other hand, aggressive local growth and metastasis are common features of malignant melanoma, which accounts for 75% of all deaths associated with skin cancer. The primary cause of skin cancer is long exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UV-R) crossed with the amount of skin pigmentation and family genetics. It is believed that in childhood and adolescence, 80% of UV-R gets absorbed while in the remaining, 20 % gets absorbed later in the lifetime. This suggests that proper and early photoprotection may reduce the risk of subsequent occurrence of skin cancer. Reducing the exposure time to sunlight, using sunscreens and protective textiles are the three ways of UV protection. Most people think that all the clothing will protect them, but it does not provide full sun screening properties. Literature sources claim that only 1/3 of the spring and summer collections tested give off proper UV protection. This is very important during the summer months, when UV index is the highest. Fabric UV protection ability highly depends on large number of factors such as type of fiber, fabric surface, construction, porosity, density, moisture content, type and concentration of dyestuff, fluorescent whitening agents, UV-B protective agents (UV absorbers), as well as nanoparticles, if applied. For all of these reasons, in the present paper, the results of UV protecting ability according to AS/NZS 4399:1996 will be discussed to show that standard clothing materials are not always adequate to prevent effect of UV-R to the human skin; and to suggest the possibilities for its improvement for this purpose enhancing light conversion and scattering. Additionally, the discrepancy in UV protection was investigated in distilled water as well as Adriatic Sea water.

Open Access April 14, 2016

Hemostatic, Resorbable Dressing of Natural Polymers-Hemoguard

Maria Wiśniewska-Wrona, Magdalena Kucharska, Marcin H. Struszczyk, Magdalena Cichecka, Bożena Wilbik-Hałgas, Maria Szymonowicz, Danuta Paluch, Krystyna Guzińska, Zbigniew Rybak

Page range: 29-34

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Abstract

Investigations are presented for the preparation of a model hemostatic dressing that would exhibit an adequate hemostatic capacity in injuries and surgical wounds, an antibacterial activity to prevent primary and secondary infections, and offer safety in use. The Hemoguard dressing has been designed as a powder prepared from the complex chitosan/alginate Na/Ca in the form of micro- and nano-fibrids. Useful antibacterial and hemostatic properties of Hemoguard, which would qualify the material as first aid dressing and a temporary protection of injury wounds in field conditions, were assessed. Biocompatibility of the dressing was confirmed by biological in vitro examinations.

About this journal

AUTEX Research Journal is published by De Gruyter on behalf of the Association of Universities for Textiles (AUTEX)

Objective

The AUTEX Research Journal (AUT) is a leading open access, peer reviewed scientific journal dedicated to textile science and technology. AUT disseminates high-quality scientific knowledge related to textile-based materials and products, including topics like fibers, fibrous structures, functionalization, design, and manufacturing. Due to their unique properties and behaviour, fiber-based materials, in general, have substantially enlarged their range of applications in areas like health care and well-being, aeronautics and aerospace, defence, architecture, building and sports. In fact, the possibility of tuning their properties from nano to macro scale to obtain multifunctional and smart textiles is opening new opportunities to develop advanced solutions, traditional and non-traditional applications.

Topics

AUTEX Research Journal accepts high level scientific contributions on the following topics:

Advanced Fibres and Materials
Innovative Functional Textiles
Technical Textiles, Composites and Membranes
Protective Textiles
Medical Textiles, Tissue Engineering, Implants
Smart, Interactive and Multifunctional Textiles
Textile Processing,
Innovative Textile Structures
Nanotechnology, Nanotextiles, Electrospinning
Biopolymers and Biotechnology
Surface Functionalization and Coating
Textile and Clothing Machinery
Textile Testing, Measuring Technology
CAD/CAE-Technology, Mass Customisation
Modelling and Simulation
Comfort Science
Ecological and Environmental Textiles, Recycling and Life Cycle Analysis

Article Formats

We welcome submission of original research articles and invited review articles.

Your Benefits

One of the few journals dealing with textiles research at a global level
Clear review and publishing procedure
Open Access publication, ensuring widest possible dissemination of your research
Discounted APCs for AUTEX Association members
Authorized journal of AUTEX – The Association of Universities for Textiles