SMITA Research LabCoE at Smart Textiles has been established to work in the field of smart and functional textiles using emerging materials and process technology, which can directly benefit the textile industry of the country.
IIT Delhi has transformed its SMITA (Smart Materials and Innovative Textile Applications) research lab into a Center of Excellence (CoE) in Smart Textiles.
SMITA Research LabCoE in Smart Textiles has been established to work in the field of smart and functional textiles using emerging materials and process technology, which can directly benefit the textile industry of the country. The main thrust areas of this CoE are:
- Development of highly efficient and high-performance textile materials using nanomaterials, nanofibers and nano-engineered materials.
- Development of wearable textiles, also known as electronic-textiles.
- Effective textile development for healthcare applications.
Textile is an important sector for India as it is the second largest employer after agriculture. Textiles make a significant contribution to our economy through both domestic consumption and exports. However, the garment sector is facing stiff competition from other low-cost producing countries.
On the other hand, technical textiles, which are technology-driven, are widely used in multiple sectors from healthcare to aerospace and can bring good returns to the Indian textile industry. With this in mind, the Ministry of Textiles of the Government of India has recently launched a National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM) and laid special emphasis on the development of technological textiles in the country.
The SMITA Research Lab at IIT Delhi has been actively involved in this field for the last few years and has made significant contributions through research and development. This is the first time in the country that nanomaterial-based antibacterial, antiviral and self-cleaning finishes, nanofiber-based nostril filters (also known as nasofilters) and automobile filters, have been continuously introduced in a number of technologies including electrospinning machines, textiles. Based sensors and power collection devices, to name a few, high-performance fiber.
SMITA Research Lab has partnered with Indian industry and startup companies and has adopted several of these technologies from the lab-scale into the commercial domain.
SMITA has been able to set up state-of-the-art research facilities with the generous funding of research labs, Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Education, Department of Science and Technology and various research projects, which is unique. Can be used in the country and for the rapid development of new smart technologies.