Fibroniq-UGent Nanofiber Consortium: from research to technology

FIBRONIQ-UGhent Nanofiber Consortium is a consortium of research groups inside the Ghent University that performs research with the aim of valorization of the results obtained. The main but not exclusive focus in FIBRONIQ is on electrospinning and nanofibrous structures. The consortium is headed by Prof. Paul Kiekens and leaded by Dr. Philippe Westbroek. Inside FIBRONIQ an inventive nanofibrous producing method, based on electrospinning principles, is developed and patented. FIBRONIQ aims at using this method to produce innovative structures and products containing such structures. On the one hand this will be achieved by the founding of a spin-off company, on the other hand by setting up cooperations with industrial companies. FIBRONIQ focuses on different applications fields, such as filtration, wound dressings, dental, intelligent textiles and pharmaceutical applications

ENMat international projects: FP7 NMP large collaborative project: 3D-LightTrans

Large scale manufacturing technology for high-performance lightweight 3D multifunctional composites The goal of the 3D-LightTrans project is to provide groundbreaking, highly flexible, efficient and adaptable low-cost technologies for the manufacturing of integral large scale 3D textile reinforced plastic composites, including innovative approaches for the individual processes and its integration in complete manufacturing chains, which will enable to shift them from its current position in cost intensive, small series niche markets, to broadly extended mass product applications, not only in transportation, but also in other key sectors, like health and leisure. To fulfil this goal, the 3DLightTrans manufacturing chains will be based on multimaterial semifinished fabrics, processed to deep draped prefixed multilayered and multifunctional 3D -textile preforms, which will be processed into composites by a thermoforming process. By integrating these new, innovative process steps with full automation in -nowadays mostly manually performed- complex handling operations, it will be possible to obtain a fully automated and highly adaptable manufacturing chain to achieve integral large scale 3D composites. 3D-LightTrans will open the way to a totally new concept for the design, manufacturing and application of composites for low-cost mass products in a wide range of sectors. The Consortium brings together multidisciplinary research teams involving European leading companies, including industrial stakeholders from machine tools and machine automation and several OEM active in the field of processing of flexible materials and composite manufacturing, as well as from the application sector, and extensive expertise from well known research specialists in the area of materials, production research and technical textiles in particular. Start date : 01/04/2011 Project duration : 4 years More information: Dr. Erich Kny Austrian Institute of Technology, [email protected] URL: http://www.3d-lighttrans.com

Three-phase characterization of uniaxially stretched linear low density polyethylene

This study comprises a detailed morphological study of cold-drawn polyethylene monofilaments by Raman spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray measurements. The structure of the three-phase morphology of the linear low density polyethylene monofilaments was investigated by combining these measurements. It was found that the most important structure variation was found in the intermediate or rigid amorphous phase, whereby the amounts of crystalline and amorphous phases were nearly constant and almost independent of the cold draw ratio. The intermediate third phase contains gauche and trans molecules and the amount of trans molecules was increased with the cold draw ratio and was directly related to this 2 cold draw ratio. The resulted mechanical properties of the oriented monofilaments are related to the amount of the trans content in the third phase, a result of the transformation of the gauche molecules into trans molecules due to the cold drawing of the monofilaments. It was found that the two peaks in the Raman spectra, respectively at 1303 and 1295 cm-1, can be correlated to the amount of gauche and trans molecules in the polyethylene monofilaments. A good and new insight into the three phase morphology was obtained by combining the DSC and X-ray measurements with the amounts of trans and gauche molecules from the Raman spectra analysis

Artificial turf developments and sport applications at Ghent University

In the past decades artificial turf fields have developed into a worthy alternative for natural grass in outdoor sports appliance such as football, rugby and hockey. Heavy rainfall and periods of drought can affect a natural pitch. Several sport clubs own only a limited number of pitches and therefore are obligated to make full advantage of them. This is one of the reasons why many of these clubs are changing towards fields made of artificial turf which are always available, provided that the correct materials and maintenance are considered and regulated testing procedures are followed. The installation cost may be higher but an artificial turf field can be used more frequently than its natural counterpart and therefore be more profitable on the long run due to the lower overall maintenance costs. Furthermore, natural grass fields need enough sunlight for the grass to grow and cannot grow well in desert or extreme cold environments, whereas artificial turf can be used in many environments. Ghent University has a long history in the development and testing of artificial turf , which will be highlighted in this contribution

ENMat international projects: FP7 NMP coordination action: 2BFUNTEX

Boosting collaboration between research centres and industry to enhance rapid industrial uptake of innovative functional textile structures and textile-related materials in a mondial market 2BFUNTEX will exploit the untapped potential in functional textile structures and textile related materials. It will bring together all innovation actors in the field fostering a multidisciplinary approach between universities, research institutes, SMEs and sector associations. The 2BFUNTEX team will identify technological gaps and eliminate barriers resulting in a faster industrial uptake of added value functional materials with new functionalities and improved performance and resulting in creation of new business worldwide. Technological needs will be mapped, new joint international research disciplines will be identified and multidisciplinary lab teams will be created. International cooperation will be favoured to exploit the worldwide market expansion potential. Industry will be involved at all stages of the process. The inventory will enlarge the team of important textile universities and renowned materials research centres and will identify new collaborations. Synergy will be reinforced and created which will enable to identify and develop new functional materials. Training materials regarding functional materials for research and industrial purposes will be developed and implemented to allow a common language regarding functional textile structures and text ile related materials, and will increase the number of well-trained people in this field. Further, the 2BFUNTEX partners will organise and participate in conferences, workshops and brokerage events. Along with a website with an extensive database comprising all information gained throughout the project, collaboration will be boosted and rapid industrial uptake catalysed and enhanced. The project duration will be 4 years and the consortium includes 26 partners from 16 countries. Start date : 01/01/2012 More information: Ir. Els Van der Burght Department of Textiles/Ghent University [email protected] [email protected] URL: http://www.2bfuntex.e

Biotechnological modification and functionalisation of polyester surfaces

Synthetic fibers form an important part of the textile industry, the production of polyester alone surpassing that of cotton. A disadvantage of synthetic fibers is their low hydrophilicity. Polyester fibers are particularly hydrophobic. This affects the processability and functionalisation of the fibers. A relatively new and promising alternative is the use of enzymes in surface modification of synthetic fibers. Synthetic materials have generally been considered resistant to biological degradation; recent developments at different research groups demonstrate that enzymes are very well capable of hydrolysing synthetic materials