Method For Automated Dyebath Reuse

The present invention is a fully automated modified batch dyeing process that provides a process that reduces water consumption, reduces environmental pollution, and reduces the energy and chemical consumption of the conventional batch dyeing process through efficient reuse of spent dyebath. The invention provides a holding tank which stores the spent dyebath, and an analysis system which allows for the analysis of the dyebath in the holding tank so that the dyebath may be reconstituted and used in the batch dyeing process.Georgia Tech Research Corp

Digital laser-dye patterning for PET textiles

A ‘Digital Laser Dye’ (DLD) patterning process was studied as an alternative textile coloration method within a textile design context, relevant to industrial textile procedures. To steer the investigation, the research question asked: ‘How can a digital laser-dye process be developed in order to achieve new ways to colour and pattern polyester textiles for industry?’ Carbon Dioxide (CO2) laser technology was employed to modify polyester (PET) surface fibres for increased dye uptake via engineered tonal graphics using standardized woven and knitted fabrics. An interdisciplinary framework employed to carry out the study involved Optical Engineering, Dyeing Chemistry, Textile Design and Industry Interaction through collaboration with project partners, Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC). In doing so, combined creative, scientific and technical aspects facilitated design innovation using a ‘mixed method’ approach involving quantitative and qualitative methods. Repeatability of the research results, parallel to design development, has established the potential to commercially apply the technique regarding an on-demand manufacture approach. Sportswear and intimate apparel prototypes generated, suggest suitable markets for processing polyester garments in this way. The work is positioned in a practice-led, design research environment, approached from a textile design perspective as a practitioner. Therefore, a practice-led methodology was employed

Digital laser-dyeing for polyester fabrics

Surface polyester fibers modified by laser beam energy have been found to display improved dye uptake (Lau et al. 1997; Kamel et al. 2012; Shahidi et al. 2013). This research considers “laser-dye” patterning as an alternative coloration method within a textile design context. In this study, standardized polyester (PET) knitted jersey and plain, woven fabrics were modified with CO2 laser technology to engineer dye onto the fabric with high-resolution graphics. The work considered the aesthetic possibilities, production opportunities, and environmental potential of the process compared to traditional and existing surface design techniques. Laser-dyed patterns were generated by a digital dyeing technique involving CAD, laser technology, and dye practices to facilitate textile coloration and patterning. An understanding of energy density was used to define the tone of a dye in terms of color depth in relation to the cloth. In so doing, a system for calibrating levels of color against laser energy in order to build a tonal image was found. Central to the investigation was the consideration of the laser beam spot as a dots-per-inch tool, drawing on the principles used in digital printing processes. It was therefore possible to utilize the beam as an image-making instrument for modifying textile fibers with controlled laser energy. Quantitative analysis of the outcomes alongside creative exploration facilitated both a tacit understanding of, and ability to control, processing parameters. This enabled repeatability of results parallel to design development and has established the potential to apply the technique commercially. Sportswear prototypes produced in the study suggest a suitable market for processing polyester garments in this way

Laser textile design: the development of laser dyeing and laser moulding processes to support sustainable design and manufacture

This research developed new creative opportunities for textile design by investigating CO2 laser processing technology to achieve surface design and three-dimensional effects. A practice based and interdisciplinary textile design methodology was employed, integrating scientific and technical approaches with a reflective craft practice. It was found that the synthesis of design and science was imperative to achieving the research goal of evolving techniques that have opened new design opportunities for textile design whilst being viable and communicable for industrial and commercial application. Four distinct Laser Textile Design techniques were developed in this research including: a laser enhanced dyeing technique for wool and wool blends; Peri-Dyeing, a laser dye fixation technique; a laser moulding technique; and a laser fading linen technique. [Continues.

Digital laser-dyeing: coloration and patterning techniques for polyester textiles

This research explored a Digital Laser Dye (DLD) patterning process as an alternative coloration method within a textile design practice context. An interdisciplinary framework employed to carry out the study involved Optical Engineering, Dyeing Chemistry, Textile Design and Industry Interaction through collaboration with the Society of Dyers and Colourists. In doing so, combined creative, scientific and technical methods facilitated design innovation. Standardized polyester (PET) knitted jersey and plain, woven fabrics were modified with CO2 laser technology in order to engineer dye onto the fabric with high-resolution graphics. The work considered the aesthetic possibilities, production opportunities and environmental potential of the process compared to traditional and existing surface design techniques. Laser-dyed patterns were generated by a digital dyeing technique involving CAD, laser technology and dye practices to enable textile coloration and patterning. An understanding of energy density was used to define the tone of a dye in terms of colour depth in relation to the textile. In doing so, a system for calibrating levels of colour against laser energy in order to build a tonal image was found. Central to the investigation was the consideration of the laser beam spot as a dots-per-inch tool, drawing on the principles used in digital printing processes. It was therefore possible to utilise the beam as an image making instrument for modifying textile fibres with controlled laser energy. Qualitative approaches employed enabled data gathering to incorporate verbal and written dialogue based on first-hand interactions. Documented notes encompassed individual thought and expression which facilitated the ability to reflect when engaged in practical activity. As such, tacit knowledge and designerly intuition, which is implicit by nature, informed extended design experiments and the thematic documentation of samples towards a textile design collection. Quantitative measurement and analysis of the outcomes alongside creative exploration aided both a tacit understanding of, and ability to control processing parameters. This enabled repeatability of results parallel to design development and has established the potential to commercially apply the technique. Sportswear and intimate apparel prototypes produced in the study suggest suitable markets for processing polyester garments in this way

Intangible Investment in Japan: New Estimates and Contribution to Economic Growth

The purpose of this paper is to measure intangible assets, to construct the capital stock of intangible assets, and to examine the contribution of intangible capital to economic growth in Japan. We follow the approach of Corrado, Hulten, and Sichel (2005, 2006) to measure intangible investment using the 2008 version of the Japan Industrial Productivity (JIP) Database. We find that the ratio of intangible investment to GDP in Japan has risen during the past 20 years and now stands at 11.6%, which is lower than the ratio estimated for the United States in the early 2000s. The ratio of intangible to tangible investment in Japan is also lower than equivalent values estimated for the United States. In addition, we find that, in stark contrast with the United States, where intangible capital grew rapidly in the late 1990s, the growth rate of intangible capital in Japan declined from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. In order to examine the robustness of our results, we also conducted a sensitivity analysis and found that the slowdown of the contribution of intangible capital deepening to economic growth and the recovery in Multi-Factor Productivity (MFP) growth from the second half of the 1990s observed in our base case remain unchanged even if we take on-the-job training and Japanese data with respect to investment in firm-specific resources into account.intangible investment, labor productivity, growth accounting