Researchers at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) have developed self-healing functional fabrics designed to extend garment lifespans and reduce textile waste, addressing environmental concerns linked to fast fashion.
Led by Professor Jiun–Tai Chen, Dean of the College of Science at NYCU, the Optoelectronic Polymer Research Group has created polymer-based fibres and coatings that can repair damage under controlled heat, pressure, or light, restoring up to about 70 per cent of original strength after healing.
Researchers at NYCU have developed self-healing functional fabrics that can repair damage and extend garment lifespans, reducing textile waste.
Led by Professor Jiun-Tai Chen, the technology restores up to 70 per cent strength after healing and supports smart, antimicrobial and sensing functions.
Industry and global academic partnerships are advancing the innovation towards commercialisation.
The technology relies on ionic gels formed from polymers with varying crystallinity combined with ionic liquids, enabling damaged fibres to rebound through hydrogen bonding, electrostatic and dipole interactions. The team said the materials are best suited for high-end functional applications such as ski jackets, mountaineering apparel, wetsuits and camping tents, where durability and repairability are critical.
Beyond self-repair, the fabrics can integrate conductivity, antimicrobial properties and sensing functions. Potential applications range from anti-static protective clothing and antibacterial garments to smart medical gauze that changes colour when infection alters wound pH. Looking ahead, the team is developing sensing-enabled fabrics for smart wearables, electronic skin and robotics under its ‘3S1A’ framework—Synthesis, Sustainable, Smart and Application, NYCU said in a release.
“One no longer has to discard the entire garment just because of a small tear, and that’s the essence of sustainability. We are committed to synthesising various new materials with sustainability as our goal, integrating smart design concepts, and ultimately applying them to solve real-world problems,” said Jiun-Tai Chen.
Taking a broader view, Professor Jiun-Tai Chen’s R&D also targets the convergence of functional sensing fabrics with AI and robotics. By imparting conductive or piezoelectric properties to fibres, self-healing textiles can be transformed into ‘electronic skin’ capable of instantly sensing pressure, temperature and touch.
“Robotic fingers are typically made of metal, which feels cold and lacks tactile sensation. Covering them with electronic skin enables them to discern the hardness or softness of objects they touch and provide feedback when touched,” Chen said.
To move towards industrialisation, the group is collaborating with Industrial Technology Research Institute on recycled PET-based polymer fibres and with Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI) on testing and certification. It has also initiated research links with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), as well as international partnerships with Princeton University, Tohoku University and Hokkaido University.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
