Advanced materials and technologies

Advanced materials and technologies focuses on the application of new technologies in performance textiles as well as finding enhancements for traditional technologies.

The School has gained considerable expertise in the field of high-velocity ballistic fabrics as incorporated in the protective vests worn by military and para-military personnel. Studies of nano-particles and nano-fibres have been a second major research focus, with current projects including:

  • Evaluation of the fundamental performance of nano-particle based printing inks for textile applications,
  • Use of phase-change textiles materials to control the thermal micro-environment inside crash helmets.
  • Textile-based phase-change materials (PCM) for automotive applications and development of specialised fire-protective apparel
  • Manufacturing and evaluation of electro-spun multi-layered nano-fibre composites, with a view to improving their properties for fluid filtration and medical applications.

The cluster would like to explore the projects based on the use of some natural fibres, perhaps activated with appropriate coatings of nano-particles to potentially reduce the levels of a range of harmful gases in poorly ventilated spaces and nano-fibre layers or nano-particle surface treatments have potential for chemical- or bio-hazard protection.

The addition of new Plasma coating equipment will assist in undertaking projects on fibre modifications and coatings for various traditional and non-traditional applications of textiles.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.