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We are developing a textile indoor guidance and information system. Based on haptic and optical contrasts, floor coverings with floor indicators will be developed and tested on their practical applicability and durability together with visually impaired people. A guideline will include information on materials, designs and setups, as well as test scenarios.
Using RFID technology combined with building information modeling (BIM), a navigation system will be developed with output to mobile devices. For the inclusion of visually impaired people, a guidance system based on floor indicators in public areas is a prerequisite. While floor indicators are already standard in outdoor areas, they are barely used indoors due to poor aesthetics. Navigation within large buildings has only been implemented in costly isolated solutions.

In cooperation with wfk - Cleaning Technology Institute, TFI is developing a filter that separates microplastics from wastewater. Electric fields are used to separate the microplastics (dielectrophoresis). The advantage of this approach is a low pressure drop when the wastewater flows through the filter. This reduces the costs for filtration. For this purpose, TFI is developing textile pile structures made of inorganic and metallic yarns through which the wastewater flows. wfk simulates, among other things, the effect of dielectrophoresis and thus lays the foundation for the development of the textile structure.

In New York State (USA), a Carpet Collection Program Law will come into force on 28 December 2024. From 1 July 2026, only textile floor coverings for which a carpet collection plan is in place may be offered for sale. The collection costs must also be borne by the manufacturer. In addition, regulations apply to the proportion of recycled materials. You can find more information here: https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/127382.html

In this research project, a new type of heat exchanger was developed based on an innovative textile structure. Using the classic tufting technology, the manufacturing requirements for this were created. The resulting "double loop structure" is a textile structure made of thermally conductive yarns that has a pile structure on both sides of the primary backing, in this case the thermal interface.
The heat transfer of the manufactured textiles was quantified and proven in a test rig.

We thank BMWK for the financial support of this research project.

The recycling of firmly bonded material systems is a major challenge. An example of this is the field of textile floor coverings, where a wide variety of materials must be combined to create different functionalities. The latex coating used so far hinders a high-quality recycling of the components polyamide, polyester and polypropylene after the use phase. The aim is therefore to develop a detachable bio-based coating system for textile floor coverings based on protein adhesion promoters and a degradable binder matrix. In the development of the application technology, particular emphasis is placed on industrial feasibility. During the use phase, the coating system should guarantee all necessary functions, and after use, it should be detachable by applying a trigger (e.g. extreme pH or temperature). The main users of the research results are SMEs from the field of textile floor coverings, textile multi-material systems (home, automotive, technical textiles), coating, adhesives, biotechnology.