Textiles

Researchers from Lanzhou University, University of Science and Technology Beijing and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have developed a new class of hollow graphene aerogel fibers (GAFs) inspired by the ultra-efficient thermal insulation of polar bear hair. By translating nature’s design into a scalable, coaxial-extrusion-spinning process, the team achieved a multifunctional fiber that sets records for both electrical conductivity and thermal insulation, paving the way for next-generation smart textiles.

Each fiber features a hierarchically porous, hollow structure, closely mimicking the air-trapping tubes of polar bear fur. During fabrication, graphene oxide (GO) nanoplates in the outer spinning channel self-assemble under shear stress into an arch-like microstructure, while a removable core material shapes the central cavity. After a hydrothermal reduction and high-temperature annealing - up to 2000 °C - the resulting structure combines low density with tunable electro-thermo-mechanical properties.

An international team of researchers - including members from the University of Cambridge, Beihang University, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, and other institutions - has developed a wearable, comfortable and washable device called Revoice that could help people regain the ability to communicate naturally and fluently following a stroke, without the need for invasive brain implants.

Schematic of a textile-based strain-sensing choker. Two channels are aligned with the carotid artery and center of throat, respectively. Each channel consists of a two-terminal crack-based resistive strain sensor surrounded by a polyurethane acrylate (PUA) stress isolation layer. The top right SEM image shows the spontaneous ordered crack structure of the graphene coating. Image from: Nature Communications

Wearable silent speech systems hold significant potential for restoring communication in patients with speech impairments, but seamless, coherent speech has so far remained elusive and clinical effectiveness unproven. The Revoice system (also referred to as an intelligent throat, IT) integrates throat muscle vibration sensing and carotid pulse monitoring with large language model (LLM) processing to support fluent, emotionally expressive communication in real time. Ultrasensitive textile strain sensors embedded in a soft choker capture high-quality signals from the neck area and feed them into a token-level decoding pipeline, enabling continuous, delay-free speech reconstruction. In tests with five stroke patients with dysarthria, the system achieved low word and sentence error rates and a marked increase in user satisfaction, suggesting a promising non-invasive route to restore more natural communication.

Graphenix, a Thailand-based company that specializes in lifestyle products, and KleanTeQ, a Thailand-based innovation company specializing in advanced textiles and protective products, have joined forces to launch a new line of high-performance sportswear in Thailand, highlighted by graphene-powered textile innovation. 

The partnership was revealed at a special event, showcasing apparel designed for athletes and active consumers, with advanced features including Far Infrared Radiation, UV protection, and superior thermal regulation. The new clothing line is set to support top Thai athletes heading into major competitions like the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.​

U.S-based women's workwear brand Dovetail has launched a graphene-enhanced collection said to be “smarter, lighter, stronger and more comfortable than ever”. The brand's recently launched Graphene Collection is a line of work pants infused with graphene technology. The John Deere collaborator partnered with Chinese mill Freedom Denim for the 10 oz. and 13 oz. graphene denim used in the collection.

The graphene nanomaterial is "infused into each fiber at the molecular level, giving fabric a permanent boost in performance". Dovetail says the integration retains the original weight and stretch of the fibers while delivering “game-changing benefits” like strength and enhanced temperature regulation to keep wearers comfortable in any season.

K-golfwear brand LUVERO is planning to utilize graphene in order to move onto the global stage. A few days ago, the company signed an MOU with KAIST's Professor Kim Sang-wook’s research team and his new graphene materials startup Grapheneol, and clothing producer HANA KOVI INC., which brings over 30 years of manufacturing expertise.

Together, these partners are developing golfwear that actively enhances performance. Professor Kim provides technical support in graphene-based materials, Grapheneol supplies the graphene, HANA KOVI manufactures the clothing, and LUVERO’s professional golfer ambassadors test and promote the products.

Transteel has teamed up with Tata Steel to introduce graphene-enhanced jute and cotton fabrics to India’s commercial furniture landscape. The advanced upholstery material, designed to boost durability and wellness, will aim to support a circular economy model and significantly reduce reliance on plastics.

The collaboration showcases Transteel’s new bio chairs collection, in combination with Tata Steel’s advanced graphene-treated natural fibers. Transteel highlights its vision of eco-conscious design that doesn’t compromise on performance.

HydroGraph Clean Power has announced a technical collaboration with a leading global synthetic fiber manufacturer to explore the application of its graphene technology in high-performance fiber applications within the $191 billion global textile and technical fiber market. 

This initiative aims to enhance fiber performance attributes such as mechanical durability and energy absorption, aligning with HydroGraph’s strategic focus on advanced material solutions. 

Researchers from the UK's University of Cambridge and China's Capital Medical University and Beihang University have developed a washable, skin-compatible smart garment sleep monitoring system that uses graphene sensors to capture local skin strain signals under weak device–skin coupling conditions without positioning or skin preparation requirements. 

The monitoring of sleep behavior begins by detecting subtle vibrations at the extrinsic laryngeal muscle, which are induced by physiological vibrations emanating from various anatomical locations such as the velum, oropharynx, tongue, and epiglottis. These vibrations are then captured by a six-channel strain sensor array printed onto the collar of a garment. The signals from the channel with the strongest response are processed by a deep learning neural network, SleepNet, which is designed for recognizing and analyzing sleep patterns. Image from PNAS

The comfortable, washable ‘smart pajamas' can monitor sleep disorders such as sleep apnea at home, without the need for sticky patches, cumbersome equipment or a visit to a specialist sleep clinic.

Birla Cellulose, Cellulosic Fibres division of Grasim Industries Ltd, has announced the signing of a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with LNJ Bhilwara Group Companies (RSWM Limited & TACC Limited) as the next step forward in the development of graphene technology for textile applications.

Undet this collaboration, TACC Limited will supply graphene derivatives to Birla Cellulose, and Birla Cellulose will integrate TACC’s graphene derivatives into the production of viscose fibers. RSWM Limited will use these graphene-enhanced viscose fibers for textile manufacturing.

A research team, led by the University of Southampton and UWE Bristol, has developed graphene-based wearable electronic textiles (e-textiles) that are sustainable and biodegradable. In their new study, the team (which also involved the universities of Exeter, Cambridge, Leeds and Bath), describes and tests a new sustainable approach for fully inkjet-printed, eco-friendly e-textiles named 'Smart, Wearable, and Eco-friendly Electronic Textiles', or 'SWEET'.

a) Schematic of two important vital signs: skin surface temperature and heart rate of the human body. b) Schematic of wearable e-textiles as gloves. c) Schematic of the position of wearable textile electrode on human skin surface contact. d) Schematic of the textile electrode. e) Schematic of the textile electrodes' composition. f) Schematic of sustainable design approach for wearable e-textiles, including sustainable materials, sustainable manufacturing, and sustainability assessment. Image from: Energy and Environmental Materials

E-textiles are usually embedded with electrical components, such as sensors, batteries or lights. They might be used in fashion, for performance sportwear, or for medical purposes as garments that monitor people's vital signs. Such textiles need to be durable, safe to wear and comfortable, but also, in an industry which is increasingly concerned with clothing waste, they need to be easy on the environment when no longer required.