Doctoral Researcher Alicja Lawrynowicz develops textiles that have smart functionalities but are durable and easier to recycle.
Alicja Lawrynowicz is a Doctoral Researcher in the Solar Energy Materials and Systems research group led by Professor Kati Miettunen. The research group focuses on improving the stability of new solar technologies and designing sustainable materials, such as bio-based alternatives.
Lawrynowicz is part of a joint Nordic project focused on developing new types of textiles. With the help of current research, fabrics can go beyond their traditional role in garment manufacturing and provide additional “smart” functions, including self-disinfection or providing warmth when needed.
The goal of the project is to make light-responsive smart textiles. Unlike most of the smart textiles already on the market, the textiles developed in this project function without electronic components, instead relying on light to activate their features. This approach simplifies the design, making the textiles more resistant to wear and tear while also increasing their potential for recycling in the future.
“Because our smart textiles are activated by light and they use less harmful materials, they are more eco-friendly than those using electrical wires in their design,” Lawrynowicz says.
During the project, Lawrynowicz has developed fabrics with extra functions, including self-cleaning cotton, which could be used to make lab coats, for example. Coated with zinc oxide, the cotton removes stains under sunlight without water or detergents, reducing the need for frequent washing.
Lawrynowicz has also developed a fabric that changes color according to UV radiation, even at low levels. This feature was made possible by hackmanite, a mineral studied and developed by the Intelligent Materials Chemistry Group at the University of Turku, led by Professor Mika Lastusaari. The idea to use hackmanite in textiles came from its unique ability to detect UV radiation through color changes. Hackmanite has even been sent to the International Space Station (ISS) to measure UV exposure in space. Now applied to textiles, hackmanite-based coatings can alert users to excessive radiation by shifting from white to purple after prolonged sunlight exposure. Adding such prints to casual garments could help prevent skin burns and related diseases.
Watch the video to see how a functional textile is created:
Video and photos: Hanna Oksanen
Text: Liisa Reunanen
