Woodhead Publishing Biologically Inspired Textiles (Woodhead Publishing Series in Textiles)

Biologically inspired textiles are those that take ideas from nature and implement them in new fibres and fabrics. Biomimetics are increasingly being applied to new textile technologies. This collection draws together research to explain how biologically inspired technologies can meet the needs of industry for cutting edge textile designs and products. Written by a distinguished team of international authors, topics encompass biomimetic principles, the production of biomimetic textiles from proteins and how textile processing methods can adopt biomimetic principles. It concludes with a review of how biomimetics can be applied to a range of applications, such as smart clothing and medical textiles. Key Features: discusses the principles, production and properties of biomimetics; reviews the application of biomimetics to a range of textile disciplines; chapters explore recombinant DNA technologies, spinning of fibres and structure/function relationships in spider silk. Contents: Part 1 Biomimetic principles, production and properties: Recombinant DNA methods applied to the production of protein-based fibers as biomaterials; Purification of protein solutions; Spinning of fibers from protein solutions; Biomimetic principles of spider silk for high-performance fibres; A Biomimetic approach to the production of sustainable structural composites using plant fibres. Part 2 Biomimetic applications in textiles: Biomimetic principles in clothing technology; Self-cleaning textiles using the lotus effect; Analysing the thermal properties of animal furs for the production of artificial furs; The role of plant stems in providing biomimetic solutions for innovative textiles in composites; Bionic developments based on textile materials for technical applications.