In this study two elastic polyester fabrics differentiated by a graphene-printed pattern, called honeycomb (HC) and spider web (SW), were analyzed with a focus on their thermal, mechanical, moisture management and sensorial properties, aiming to identify the fabric with the most elevated heat dissipation and comfort for sportswear. The shape of the graphene-printed circuit did not lead to significant difference between the mechanical properties of the fabrics SW and HC assessed by the Fabric Touch Tester (FTT). Fabric SW outperformed fabric HC with respect of drying time, air permeability, moisture, and liquid management properties. On the other hand, both the Infrared (IR) thermography and FTT-predicted warmness clearly showed that fabric HC dissipates heat faster on its surface along the graphene circuit. This fabric was also predicted by the FTT as smoother and softer than fabric SW and had a better overall fabric hand. The results revealed that both graphene patterns resulted in comfortable fabrics with great potential applications in sportswear fields, in specific use scenario’s.

Though the transition from disposable to reusable surgical gowns holds substantial promise, successful implementation faces challenges. This study investigated tactile and thermophysiological comfort in surgical reusable gowns, comparing them with their disposable counterparts. Parameters such as surface roughness, compression, heat flux, and material rigidity were tested using a Fabric Touch Tester. Additionally, the water vapour permeability and static charge of the gowns were assessed. Thermophysiological comfort of the gowns was evaluated by measuring the temperature and relative humidity (RH) on test subjects during wear trials where they were engaged in an activity that mimics a surgeon’s performance. Skin temperature was monitored using iButton sensors and a thermal camera, and the impact on heart rate during the task was analysed. Following each test, participants provided subjective feedback through a questionnaire. The results indicated that reusable gowns boasted a smoother texture, translating to reduced friction on the skin and better heat transfer compared to the disposable fabrics, as indicated using FTT. They also exhibited higher water vapour permeability compared to their disposable counterparts. The wear trials revealed minimal differences in comfort between disposable and reusable gowns. While performing the activity, an increase in body temperature led to decreased RH, yet this rise did not adversely affect subject comfort, as validated using heart rate and questionnaire survey data. From a comfort point of view, switching from disposable to reusable gowns would not have drawbacks, meaning hospitals should be able to switch provided logistics and costs can be managed.

Thermocouples can be combined into thermopiles to sense heat differences or achieve localized heating and cooling. However, integrating them into textiles using yarns is not straightforward, and chemical methods face challenges like complex processing, poor scalability, and voltage non-uniformity. This study employs conventional weaving to fabricate textile-based thermocouples and thermopiles for wearable sensing and potential cooling applications, with a focus on protective clothing. Using stainless steel and nickel-coated carbon yarns, we demonstrate a more stable thermocouple than those made with chemical or welded methods, with minimal fabric damage. Four conductive yarns, stainless steel, carbon fiber (CF), and nickel-coated carbon fiber (NiFC), were woven and laser-cut to form thermocouples using three different binding types to connect them. Inox1–NiFC was the most efficient thermocouple, achieving the highest Seebeck coefficient of 21.87 µV/K with Binding 3. Binding 3 also reduced contact resistance by 66% across all configurations. Slightly lower but comparable performance was seen with Inox1–NiFC/Binding 2 (21.83 µV/K) and Inox2–NiFC/Binding 1 (15.79 µV/K). In contrast, FC-based thermocouples showed significantly lower Seebeck values: 5.67 µV/K (Inox2–FC/Binding 2), 5.43 µV/K (Inox1–FC/Binding 3), and 5.06 µV/K (Inox2–FC/Binding 1). A woven thermopile with three junctions made with the optimal binding and thermocouple combination generated an average of 55.54 µV/K and about 500 µV at small temperature differences (4–5 °C), with a linear voltage response suitable for sensing. While thermal sensing proved effective, Peltier cooling needs further optimization. This method offers a stable, low-cost, and scalable platform for textile-integrated thermoelectric systems, with strong potential for use in uniforms and other protective garments.

This study focuses on advancing sweat management in clothing using low-current operating textile electroosmotic pumps, which could be beneficial for microenvironments with restricted ventilation, such as the one between the skin and protective wear. These systems, employing silver–copper fabric electrodes, a polycarbonate membrane with microchannels, and an adhesive web, enabled directed liquid transport. The critical role of the adhesive layer preparation is emphasized, often overlooked in previous research. Various adhesive perforations were tested for their impact on the flow under current action, both with and against gravity. Specific adhesive application techniques are proposed, found to significantly influence the flow rate and textile assembly cohesion. The custom setup yielded flow rates of up to 8.8 ± 0.08 mg min⁻¹ cm⁻², suitable for diverse human sweat rates. Optimization hinges on the delicate balance between binding and the active surface areas of the adhesive.