Research and Development of Sustainable, Functional Textile Components for Next-Generation Composites

Title:  Research and Development of Sustainable, Functional Textile Components for Next-Generation Composites

Acronym:  FUNK-Tex

Project Code: TTF-IIP-06

Project Summary:

The FUNK-Tex project focuses on the development of sustainable textile components (fibres, yarns, woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, and nonwoven structures) for next-generation multifunctional composites. The research investigates the physical-mechanical, thermal, and other textile properties that directly influence the functionality of composite structures, such as comfort, protection, and energy efficiency. Emphasis is placed on integrating opposing functionalities within a single composite system, as well as on optimisation and stability.

The project promotes the use of environmentally friendly materials in line with circular economy principles and the EU Green Deal. It also explores the digitalisation and automation of production processes, particularly through the development of robotic systems for handling textile components. The goal is to establish guidelines for the design and production of high value-added, sustainable composite structures with a minimal environmental footprint, linking eco-design, textile engineering, and digitalisation.

Project Leader:

Assoc. Prof. Snježana Brnada, PhD

Project Team Members:

• Prof. Željko Penava, PhD
• Prof. Vesna Marija Potočić Matković, PhD
• Prof. Ivana Salopek Čubrić, PhD
• Prof. Dragana Kopitar, PhD
• Prof. Edita Vujasinović, PhD
• Prof. Ružica Brunšek, PhD
• Assoc. Prof. Ivana Schwarz, PhD
• Assoc. Prof. Goran Čubrić, PhD
• Paula Štampalija, PhD,
• Ana Kalazić, mag. ing. techn. text.,
• Gabriela Vanja, mag. ing. techn. text.,
• Antonija Petrov, mag. ing. techn. text.,
• Marijana Pavunc Samaržija, mag. ing. techn. text