19/12/2017 – Special fibres and yarns: 65 years of the DWI — auf Deutsch lesen
A research institute changing with the times
Innovative materials research and an exceptionally inter-disciplinary research approach now lie at the heart of the work conducted at the former German Wool Research Institute.
As part of a number of projects, scientists at the DWI Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials are developing new possibilities for the finishing and functionalisation of surfaces © Philipp Scheffler, DWI
The textile carrier material of the filter is equipped with nano-fibres. The scientists are achieving particularly good filtration performance using this combination © Dr. Helga Thomas, DWI
Research currently under way is attempting to develop new materials that are a match for natural materials in terms of quality and that can be integrated into the cycles of nature. Nature succeeds in creating complex, heavy-duty materials from molecular components that, viewed individually, often possess no particularly outstanding characteristics. Bone, spider silk and wool fibres are just three of the countless examples of such materials. Taking nature as a template, scientists are now researching self-repairing, self-aggregating, self-cleaning or even self-moving materials and material components. The DWI Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials in Aachen is among those seeking inspiration from nature in this way.
Read more about in our printed issue textile network 11/12 2017! Order now your free issue
