Turbulent insight into textile fibre shedding

LEEDS – A joint Chile – UK research project team by scientists from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and the University of Leeds has resulted in a laboratory method that captures, in real time, how single textile fibres move and deform in washing-like conditions.

The research is described as the missing link in efforts to curb fragmented fibre and microplastic pollution from laundry, using the framework to assess how yarn design (such as twist and hairiness), fabric structure and adjusted wash profiles – including reduced turbulence intensity or drum speeds – influence textile fibre shedding.