The electrospinning process parameters for producing polyamide 11 (PA11) nanofibers using formic acid (FA) as the solvent were investigated. Key variables such as solution concentration, tip-to-collector distance, applied voltage, flow rate, and the introduction of a second electric field were optimized to produce uniform, bead-free nanofibers. Preliminary studies indicated that a 10% (w/v) PA11/FA solution concentration, a 25 kV voltage applied to the collector, a 12 cm tip-to-collector distance and a flow rate of 0.03 mL/min yielded the most consistent results in a conventional nozzle electrospinning setup. The effects of distance, voltage, and flow rate on fiber morphology were examined, with increased distance producing thinner fibers due to improved solvent evaporation, while higher voltages resulted in thicker fibers, highlighting the complex interplay between these parameters. Flow rate also played a significant role in fiber formation. The incorporation of charged metallic rings along the jet path, introducing a second electric field, further improved fiber uniformity. The most significant effect on the morphology of electrospun PA11 fibers was observed with rings connected to increasing voltage values, resulting in fibers with an average diameter of 145.7 ± 23.7 nm, minimal bead formation, and uniform circular cross-section. These optimized electrospinning parameters and the application of a second electric field show potential for improving fiber quality in applications such as filtration, textiles, and tissue engineering, contributing to a deeper understanding of PA11 electrospinning.

Materials and processes play an increasingly significant role in the development of new fashion products and can significantly affect product sustainability and longevity. These aspects, like many others, are part of the numerous issues associated with sustainability [1, 2]. The Fashion ecosystem has a high impact on society and the environment. Sustainability is an important issue for the textile and clothing industry associated with the different stages of the product life cycle and their impacts. The skills of specialists in fashion product development (FPD) and respective training will have to evolve towards increased knowledge of materials and processes; however, the academy is not keeping up with these changes that go along with the rapid transformation of the industry. There is a need for new competence acquisition models that are tailored to the present-day requirements. The objective of this investigation concerns the use and validation of a set of methodologies for the acquisition of skills by students, which allows for the development of sustainable fashion products for the market. Active methodologies that are being used, include workshops, competitions, industry partnerships, and PD in the context of companies and academy, and using trainers with experience in the industry. It concludes a progress in the knowledge of sustainable materials and processes combined with motivation.

The effectiveness of nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ) (P-25) in enhancing protection against ultraviolet rays and reducing photoinduced yellowing was evaluated through its application to wool fabrics and wool blends (such as wool–polyester and wool–polyester–spandex). The nanofinishing treatment was performed using a pad–dry–cure process, employing TiO ₂ concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 5 g/L. After 24 h of accelerated ultraviolet radiation, colorimetric analysis (using the CIELAB system) revealed that the TiO ₂ particles effectively reduced the rate of photoinduced yellowing (Δ E ), acting as an ultraviolet absorber that dissipates energy and protects the fibers or textile materials from photo-oxidation. Untreated fabrics showed considerably lower levels of ultraviolet protection than treated samples, and the experimental results demonstrated that all treated samples maintained excellent or very good ultraviolet protection factor ratings (up to 50+). Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of TiO ₂ on the fiber surface. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and contact angle measurements confirmed that the treatment inhibited the formation of functional groups responsible for yellowing and reduced the increase in hydrophobicity. It can thus be concluded that nano-TiO ₂ finishing is an effective method for improving the photostability and performance of wool-based textiles.