Münchberg: Researchers think textiles are sustainable for construction, aerospace and armaments
In mid-October, around 90 interested people gathered in the newly restored Münchberg Schützenhaus for the town lecture by the Institute of Materials Science at Hof University of Applied Sciences (ifm). Even before the event began, there were many voices in the foyer welcoming the fact that the university was “increasing its presence in Münchberg”. Site director Prof. Frank Ficker presented the research activities in the field of materials science.
Prof. Dr. Frank Ficker, Head of the Institute of Materials Science (ifm) and the Fraunhofer Application Center Textile Fiber Ceramics, spoke under the title “Sustainable thinking for construction, aerospace and armaments” about project results and emotional experiences from research, and the many opportunities that the institute’s infrastructure offers for research partners.
Textile technology center offers great opportunities
For example, companies can use the textile technology center, which offers ample space for testing and writing about textile processes and products. Ficker also presented laboratory facilities that can be used to carry out processes such as metal evaporation for unique depth of field and color change effects on car doors, for example on a Porsche.
Today, textiles must reform and adapt to the shrinking market. Many companies have managed this well. We want to support them in this region and, ideally, develop products and contribute our ideas right up to the start of series production.”
Prof. Dr. Frank Ficker, Institute Director
The research results include, for example, antistatic textiles, such as airbags, which can react to the weight of impacting people or animals in the event of an accident. Conductive carbon fibers and the further development of weaving machines were also presented.
Trade visitors showed great interest
The so-called “heel supports” against decubitus, i.e. foldable socks that help against bed sores, also aroused great interest among the specialist audience from the care sector. The discussion continued with fire-repellent textiles for fire protection, dirt, oil and water-repellent textiles and textile brake disks for cars ( campuls-digital has already reported on antibacterial hospital beds).
But it was also about emotional moments: tears and pride during the construction of new machines and the previously unusual contact with defense companies.
Zero-waste products
Alexandra Luft, head of the Innovative Textiles research group and contact person at ifm for industry, spoke about recycling and the production of zero-waste products, which is being tested in Münchberg: on the one hand, woven edge strips that are turned into new felted textiles and, on the other, composite textiles such as work gloves, which are turned into new granulate for further processing.
Accompanying exhibition
In the exhibition set up especially for the event, ifm researchers showed interested company representatives textiles from their research that they could touch. These included textile wastewater pipes, innovative comforters with a cooling function for hot summer nights, designer textiles, 3D textiles, felted loom fabric remnants, woven willow and much more. The picture gallery gives an insight.
Next city lecture
“The tenth City Lecture was really well attended – thank you for the strong commitment from and Research Marketing. We already had a lot of positive feedback before the event. That’s why we’re happy to continue with this format,” says the organizing Vice President Plenk, responsible for Research, Development and Entrepreneurship.
The next City Lecture will take place on November 6 at 5:30 pm in Münchberg in the Schützenhaus: Prof. Tobias Schnabel will speak on “When the toilet flush becomes a pharmacy – ways to a sustainable water cycle”.
