Module manager: Richard Blackburn
Email: r.s.blackburn@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The module will provide an overview of the conventional and emerging textile-forming raw materials used by the textile industry, with respect to their origin and physical properties. The production of textile products with customised shape and microstructure will be introduced, focusing on multifunctional fibres, fabrics and textile composites with stimulus-sensitive behaviour (e.g. shape memory, colour change, biodegradability), aiming to meet the requirements of specific industrial applications. Characterisation methods of physical properties and functionalities will be discussed and complemented by practical activities and teamwork. Elements of research translation and IP protection strategies will be introduced to provide students with an insight on sustainable technology development and commercialisation pathways.
Lectures will enable students to develop fundamental knowledge on the manufacture of textile products and their integration with use-inspired functionalities. These will be complemented by case studies and lab demonstrations aiming to equip students with experimental practice, and regulatory and industry perspectives.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically evaluate engineering principles, manufacturing processes and functionalisation strategies underpinning the design of use-inspired technical and innovative textiles.
2. Articulate the technical requirements of advanced textile materials to industrial contexts.
3. Justify how chemical composition and raw material processing influence the properties and functions of the resulting textile products to support sustainable design decisions.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Communicate advanced ideas and arguments clearly.
5. Synthesise literature to construct evidence-based strategies in written research.
The design and manufacture of textile products is key to meeting complex and rapidly changing industrial requirements, driven by recent shifts towards the adoption of fossil-free raw materials, circular manufacturing systems and digital technologies. This module introduces the field of technical and innovative textiles for applications such as automotive, protective clothing and healthcare. Engineering principles and the role of chemical composition, microstructure and processing will be introduced as means to integrate use-inspired functions. The module will offer opportunities to critically address the challenges in existing fibrous assemblies and to explore new design strategies for next generation textile materials.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminars | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Private study hours | 183 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 17 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will receive formative feedback in the seminar sessions where the essay will be developed.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 80 |
| Coursework | Presentation | 20 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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