Research Group: Living Textiles
The Living Textiles Research Group positions textiles as a critical biofabrication strategy for the development of new materials and construction methods, transforming biomaterials and biosynthesised polymers into environmentally responsive, and programmable systems that operate at the scale of the built environment.
Our research examines the potential to design with biology using textile materials, textiles thinking and advanced textiles technology.
We enable multidisciplinary research collaborations with experts from across design and science communities leading to innovation across scales and applications.
• At a microscale our group explores opportunities to transform the functionality of fibres, yarns and fabrics using biotechnologies to create environmentally responsive structures and programmable textile materials.
• At a macroscale we develop biocomposite textile systems, extending the hierarchical structuring of fabric to encompass sustainable and sustaining applications in the built environment.
• Our bespoke facilities at HBBE combine access to state-of-the-art microbiology laboratories with advanced digital fabrication including Shima Seiki Apex programming system and Industrial Knitting Technologies, flat bed knitting, 3D printing and materials testing.
Living Textiles Research Group integrates research by Dr Jane Scott (NUAcT Research Fellow, the Living Textile Interface) Romy Kaiser (PhD Candidate, Textile Hosting) and Paula Nerlich (PhD Candidate, Materiality of Well-Being). In addition we collaborate with internal and external partners through research projects and design interventions.
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