STOP fibrous microplastic pollution from textiles by elucidating fibre damage and manufacturing novel textiles

Lead Research Organisation: University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Engineering

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

Publications

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Jabbar A (2022) Impact of conventional and modified ring-spun yarn structures on the generation and release of fragmented fibers (microfibers) during abrasive wear and laundering in Textile Research Journal

 
Description For the first time, we have managed to establish high-fidelity image-based finite element models for textile materials using the x-ray microtomography images. This will give much more realistic prediction of the interaction between the fibres with a textile yarn, which we believe is the key factor for causing the microplastic pollutions.
Exploitation Route I anticipate a few high-quality research publications from this project. We also plan to submit a follow-on grant application to take the image-based modelling approach further, with an intention to apply to a broader area.
Sectors Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology
 
Description The findings from this project will identify the root-cause of the microplastic/microbfirbe released from textiles through laundry/washing process and more importantly inform the design and manufacture of novel textile to stop such pollotions.
Sector Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology
 
Title X-ray microtomography image based finite element model 
Description A finite element model is currently being developed using the high-resolution images from X-ray microtomography scans of textile yarns before and after washing. The model aims to better capture the change of fibre tomography and its effects on the fibre-fibre interaction and fibre fragmentation which is believed to be the sauce of the micro-plastic pollution. 
Type Of Material Computer model/algorithm 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact The developed image-based finite element model could enable the researchers to better understand the mechanisms of micro-plastic generation and thereby informing the strategy to modify the fibre yarn structure to mitigate/eliminate the micro-plastic pollution.