Customised modifications of textile structures are the basis for innovative, marketable smart textiles
Many companies are facing major challenges. How are you responding? What role could smart textiles play in the future? Which parameters support marketability? Come to our Smart Textiles Workshop on 6 May 2025 to find out about new smart solutions in institutes and companies. Learn about outstanding projects and discuss the possibilities for your own products with the experts.
Workshop Programme
Each presentation will be followed by a 10-minute discussion on the topic.
| 10:00 |
Welcome and current information on network work Dr. Daniela Zavec, Klaus Richter - SmartTex Network |
| 10:15 |
New applications for hydrogel-coated self-sealing fabrics Dr. Adrian Ehrenhöfer - Institut für Festkörpermechanik & Dresden Center for Intelligent Materials, Fakultät Maschinenwesen, TU Dresden Dr.-Ing. Simon Binder - IMBIT // BrainLinks-BrainTools, University of Freiburg A new type of smart fabric is presented that is characterised by particularly high air permeability when dry and automatically becomes impermeable to water when it comes into contact with water. The change in material properties is purely passive, without external energy supply or control. A prototype bicycle helmet with automatically deployable rain protection and a jacket whose underarm areas seal when wet but remain breathable when dry are shown as examples. The fabric opens up new possibilities for adaptive functional textiles in various fields of application. |
| 10:45 |
Coffee break |
| 11:00 |
ZirTex - Circular textile economy through modular clothing concepts, digitalisation and efficient circular processes Max Bernhagen, Prof. Dr. Markus Michael - Texulting GmbH, Chemnitz The ZirTex project is developing a digital platform that will fundamentally transform the life cycle of protective clothing. The aim is to significantly facilitate repair, recycling and reuse through modular designs, customised configuration and integrated sustainability assessment. Each item of clothing is digitally recorded and controlled via a textile management system in line with the 10R criteria. Demonstrators show how circular approaches not only save resources, but also increase comfort and safety in protective clothing. |
| 11:30 |
New ways to functionalise the surface of textiles using laser powder technology Annika Gambke – Textilforschungsinstitut Thüringen-Vogtland e.V. (TITV) Greiz TITV Greiz presents a new technology for the precise and localised application of functional coatings to textiles. Functional powder is applied in a targeted manner using a vibration-controlled nozzle and thermally fixed by laser radiation. The layers produced in this way contain a high proportion of pigment and enable conductive, electroluminescent or luminescent properties, among other things. The partial coating allows targeted functionalisation - for example for sensors, heating structures or smart design elements - and is constantly being expanded to include new pigments and contacting concepts. |
| 12:00 |
Lunch break |
| 13:00 |
MultiMatt - Innovative technology combinations and sustainable design strategies Marco Sallat & Franz Klötze - Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e. V., Chemnitz The presentation uses the example of a play mat (‘MultiMatt’) to explain how the mono-material approach can be combined with the manufacturing technologies of knitting, 3D printing, back coating and laser treatment. The design and production of the MultiMatt show how modern and innovative textile technologies can be combined using sustainable and C2C-certified materials and how current customer requirements (e.g. individualisation - batch size 1) can be met. At the same time, the mono-material approach opens up the possibility of being able to fully recycle the MultiMatt at the end of its product life. |
| 13:30 |
Sensor patches on textiles: functions, challenges and applications Dr. Bernhard Brunner - Fraunhofer ISC, CeSMA – Center Smart Materials and Adaptive Systems Today, sensor patches are primarily used for blood glucose monitoring and cardiological monitoring - but increasingly also for continuous wound monitoring of temperature, moisture and pH value. However, their limited useful life and small measuring surfaces offer potential for textile-integrated alternatives with greater wearer comfort. The greatest challenge lies in the reliable integration of sensors and signal lines in stretchable textiles. The lecture will present innovative approaches to conductive structuring using knitting and printing technologies |
| 14:00 | Coffee break |
| 14:15 |
Conductive polymers for smart coatings Dr. Martin Heise - FILK Freiberg Institute gGmbH FILK develops customised, electrically conductive polymer formulations that enable new applications in the field of smart textile composites. Defined resistances can be set through the targeted addition of CNTs, conductive carbon black or metal particles to low-viscosity polymers. Processing is carried out using coating or digital printing, for example. This results in functionalised textiles with heating, lighting or sensory properties. The article provides an overview of current developments and project results for the integration of intelligent functions in textile materials. |
| 14:45 |
SmartINNO - An ERASMUS project - First results Dr. Daniela ZAVEC - Smarttex-Netzwerk Thüringen |
|
15:15 16:00 |
Time for discussions and networking End of the event |
| All day |
Exhibition Parallel to the workshop, companies and institutes will present selected projects in an exhibition. A table will be available for this after registration. Please indicate your interest in this free option on the registration form! |
The workshop and the exhibition are free of charge.
When: 6 May 2025, Tuesday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Technologie- und Innovationspark Jena
Hans-Knöll-Straße 6
07745 Jena
GERMANY
How to get there: There is very limited parking available at the Technology and Innovation Park Jena. If you are not travelling by public transport, we recommend the COLUMBUS-CENTER multi-storey car park, which is approx. 10 minutes' walk from the conference venue. Or look here for alternatives: Calclulate journey with Google-Maps