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Innovations in Textile Engineering

Fibers, Yarns, Nonwovens, & More

Svetlana Boriskina and Ikra Shuvo

What makes fiber a unique engineered-to-the-extreme state of soft matter?

This online course from the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering introduces the key principles used to engineer and manufacture fibers and textiles. You will learn the fundamentals of polymer science, mechanical, thermal, and moisture transport engineering of fibrous media. You’ll get an overview of industrial and lab-scale textile manufacturing techniques and machinery, visual color science and engineering, and design of composite fibrous materials.

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What makes fiber a unique engineered-to-the-extreme state of soft matter?

This online course from the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering introduces the key principles used to engineer and manufacture fibers and textiles. You will learn the fundamentals of polymer science, mechanical, thermal, and moisture transport engineering of fibrous media. You’ll get an overview of industrial and lab-scale textile manufacturing techniques and machinery, visual color science and engineering, and design of composite fibrous materials.

You will learn how to hierarchically design new materials and products that derive their cumulative properties from the fiber as the smallest engineering building block. You will also get a feeling for what it means to innovate in the industry that literally touches every single person on the planet at any given moment of time, amplifying the impact of any innovation compatible with its large-scale distributed industrial and supply infrastructure.

The course will guide you through several real-world examples of iconic commercialized textile-based technologies. The course will reinforce the learning process via peer-to-peer discussions, and will culminate with the practical exercise of crafting your own mock patent applications. Several mock applications created by MIT students taking the residential version of this class have been converted into filed utility patent applications.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • In this course, you will:
  • Learn the major stages of fiber/textile manufacturing and industrial and academic fiber/textile testing standards
  • Review the history of innovation and intellectual property protection through the lens of the textile industry
  • Select a fiber/yarn type, a fabric structure, and a manufacturing process for your research project or commercial product
  • Practice implementing hierarchical and bio-inspired engineering principles
  • Evaluate the risks of resource competition, environmental footprint, and product sustainability
  • Gain hands-on experience in crafting a patent application

Syllabus

Week 1Introduction, course overview, and a concept map. Basic characteristics of fibers and yarns. Textile terminology and units. Natural fibers: plant-, animal-, and mineral-based. Yarn spinning from staple fibers. Spinning preparation: carding, combing, drawing & roving. Ring, open-end rotor and air-jet yarn spinning.
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Week 2Innovation in textile industry & intellectual property protection. Utility patent structure & coverage. Design patent structure & coverage. An anatomy of a patent application. Patent infringement and invalidation. Richard Arkwright’s spinning frame patent of 1769 v. his carding technology patent, 1775.
Week 3Bio-derived man-made fibers. Intro to wet, dry, and melt spinning techniques. Cellulose-based rayon fibers. Alternative solvents for cellulose; cupro & lyocell processes; Tenacity as a measure of fiber strength. Dry spinning. Regenerated protein fibers. Polymer cross-linking. Engineering v. specific stress, unit conversion.
Week 4Synthetic fibers and textiles production. Nylon history; condensation polymerization. Fiber-making polymers. Polyethylene; addition polymerization. Degree of polymerization and molecular weight. Polyester. Fiber melt-spinning and spin-doping. Fiber drawing; strain-induced crystallization; natural draw ratio. Yarn classification by orientation & crystallinity (FOY, POY, etc.)
Week 5Mechanical characterization. Stress-strain curve. Young’s modulus. Standard tensile tests. Structural characterization: X-ray scattering; Scanning electron microscopy (SEM); Crystallinity analysis via wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). Herman’s orientation function; birefringence. Raman scattering. Vibrational modes of polymer molecules. Curve fitting and peak deconvolution. Thermal properties of fibers. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Glass transition, melting, crystallization, cold crystallization; decomposition. Testing standards. Melt flow index.
Week 6Yarn engineering. Smooth and textured yarns. Specialty yarn engineering. Hollow spindle fancy-yarn machines. Elastic fibers. Cyclic yarn testing. Auxetic fibers & yarns. Fiber properties engineering and characterization. Contact angle and fiber wettability. Fiber surface treatment & coating. Human color vision. Chemistry of natural and synthetic dyes. Pigment-based and structural color, spin(solution)-dyeing. Engineering thermal and electrical conductivity of fibers. Engineering reversible thermal energy storage in fibers.
Week 7Weaving. Warp & weft yarns. Basic functions and elements of looms. Loom primary & secondary motions. Weaving preparation: yarn sizing & loom warping. Shedding mechanisms: cam, dobby, Jacquard. Picking mechanisms: shuttle, projectile, rapier, airjet, waterjet. Edmund Cartwright’s power loom. Crompton fancy power loom. Recent innovations in loom technology. Weaving patterns & notations. Plain, twill, satin, rib, and matt weaves. The role of yarn twist and texture. Mechanical properties of woven fabrics. Tensile testing standards for textiles: grab v. strip test. Textile area density & thread count. Crimp engineering & characterization. Knitting. Lee’s stocking frame. Bearded v. latch needle, stitch formation process. Weft-knitted fabrics. Course & wale. Circular knitting machine operation principle. Knitted loop notations; plain (jersey), flow (float, missed) & tuck stitches. Rib & purl knits. Yarn plating. Fleecy, terry/plush & pile fabrics. Spacer fabrics. Whole garment knitting. Warp knitting.
Week 8Project 1: a dissection of an iconic textile product/technology.
Week 9Nonwovens. Felting. Web formation & bonding. Drylaying by carding. Airlaying. Wetlaying. Direct/polymer/spunlaid nonwovens. Binder types & curing processes. Meltblown fabric formation. Electrospinning. Mechanical bonding: Needle-punching, Hydroentangling, Stitch-bonding, Ultrasonic welding. Fiber-reinforced composites & laminates. Matrix & dispersed phase of a composite. Stiffness and strength of fiber-reinforced composites, rule of mixtures. Monomaterial textile concept. 3D printing on textiles. Moisture-repellent and moisture-absorbing textiles. Push-pull hierarchical textiles. Industrial standards for textile testing for moisture transport. Engineering color & light reflectance on the textile level. Heat transport engineering. Insulating, heat-reflective & cooling textiles. Standards for textile testing for heat transport.
Week 10Electronic(+) textile envelope engineering. Fiber- & textile-integrated sensors, capacitors and actuators. Optical fiber engineering, manufacture, and integration. Shape memory polymers. Artificial muscles. Mechanocaloric fibers. Fabrication, knitting & weaving of specialty fibers. Embroidery. Melt-spinning from preforms.
Week 11Textiles and the environment. Lifecycle analysis of fibers, textiles and garments. Higg’s index. Mechanical v. chemical recycling and automated sorting. Supply chains.
Week 12Project 2: mock patent application drafting.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores the fundamentals of polymer science, mechanical, thermal, and moisture transport engineering of fibrous media, which are essential for textile engineering
Covers industrial and lab-scale textile manufacturing techniques and machinery, providing practical knowledge for those entering the field
Examines real-world examples of commercialized textile-based technologies, offering insights into successful innovations in the industry
Culminates in crafting mock patent applications, providing hands-on experience in intellectual property protection within the textile industry
Requires learners to evaluate the risks of resource competition, environmental footprint, and product sustainability, which are important considerations in modern textile engineering
Includes a discussion of lifecycle analysis of fibers, textiles, and garments, which is relevant to understanding the environmental impact of the textile industry

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Save Innovations in Textile Engineering: Fibers, Yarns, Nonwovens, & More to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Innovations in Textile Engineering: Fibers, Yarns, Nonwovens, & More with these activities:
Review Polymer Science Fundamentals
Strengthen your understanding of polymer science, which is crucial for comprehending fiber properties and manufacturing processes discussed in the course.
Browse courses on Polymer Science
Show steps
  • Review basic polymer structures and classifications.
  • Study polymerization mechanisms and kinetics.
  • Familiarize yourself with common polymer characterization techniques.
Read 'Textile Engineering'
Gain a broad understanding of textile engineering principles, complementing the course's focus on innovation and specific textile technologies.
View Lignocellulosic Fibers: Sustainable... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read chapters related to fiber science and yarn manufacturing.
  • Study fabric formation techniques, including weaving and knitting.
  • Review textile finishing processes and their impact on fabric properties.
Dissect an Iconic Textile Product
Apply course concepts by analyzing the design, materials, and manufacturing of a commercially successful textile product.
Show steps
  • Select a textile product with interesting engineering features.
  • Research the materials, manufacturing processes, and design considerations.
  • Prepare a presentation or report summarizing your findings.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Compile a List of Textile Testing Standards
Create a reference guide to textile testing standards, enhancing your understanding of quality control and performance evaluation.
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant textile testing standards (e.g., ASTM, ISO).
  • Organize the standards by category (e.g., tensile strength, colorfastness).
  • Summarize the purpose and key parameters of each standard.
Create a Video Explaining a Weaving Technique
Solidify your understanding of weaving by creating a video tutorial that explains a specific weaving technique.
Show steps
  • Choose a weaving technique to explain.
  • Research the technique and create a script or outline.
  • Record and edit the video, including visuals and narration.
Draft a Mock Patent Application
Practice intellectual property protection by drafting a mock patent application for a novel textile innovation.
Show steps
  • Brainstorm a novel textile innovation.
  • Research existing patents and prior art.
  • Draft the patent application, including claims and drawings.
Read 'Advanced Textile Engineering'
Expand your knowledge of advanced textile technologies and research trends, building upon the course's foundation.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Focus on chapters related to smart textiles and nanocomposites.
  • Explore sustainable textile production methods.
  • Consider the implications of these technologies for future textile innovations.

Career center

Learners who complete Innovations in Textile Engineering: Fibers, Yarns, Nonwovens, & More will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Textile Engineer
A textile engineer applies their knowledge of materials science and engineering principles to design and develop new textile products and manufacturing processes. This role involves working with fibers, yarns, and fabrics, and understanding their properties and behaviors. This course helps an aspiring textile engineer by covering fundamental topics like fiber manufacturing, textile testing, and material characterization. It will help engineers to evaluate material properties, including mechanical, thermal, and moisture transport behaviors. A textile engineer would also benefit from learning about topics such as weaving, knitting, nonwovens, and composite materials, all discussed in this course.
See salaries and explore the career path for Textile Engineer
Process Engineer
A process engineer is involved in the design, development, and optimization of industrial processes. In the textile industry, the process engineer will be concerned with the manufacturing steps, from raw fiber to finished fabric. This course introduces the major stages of fiber and textile manufacturing, offering an understanding of material processing and the function of the machinery. The course also touches on environmental aspects and sustainable materials, which is important for a process engineer in the textile industry. The course will help a process engineer optimize production processes.
See salaries and explore the career path for Process Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
A manufacturing engineer designs, develops, and optimizes the processes used to manufacture products. This role involves understanding production techniques, materials, and machinery. This course covers many relevant topics, including industrial and lab-scale textile manufacturing techniques and machinery. The course's overview of weaving, knitting, and nonwoven manufacturing would be highly beneficial to a manufacturing engineer. You will also learn about the practical aspects of textile production, from fiber spinning to fabric finishing. A manufacturing engineer can use the information from the course to optimize production processes.
See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer
Quality Control Engineer
A quality control engineer ensures that products meet certain quality standards. This includes testing materials and products to identify defects and ensure compliance. To perform this role in the textile industry, the engineer needs a strong background in textile testing standards and material properties. This course reviews industrial and academic fiber and textile testing standards. A quality control engineer will use this knowledge to establish and maintain quality control processes in the textile industry. The course also covers mechanical and thermal properties of textiles, which is vital for testing.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Control Engineer
Materials Scientist
A materials scientist researches and develops new materials with specific properties for various applications. In this role, understanding the structure, properties, and performance of materials is crucial. The course content on polymer science, material characterization, and hierarchical design directly aligns with the work done by a materials scientist. A materials scientist will find the course's exploration of fiber properties, manufacturing techniques, and how these impact the final textile product useful. The course may be a particular benefit to a materials scientist working with soft materials or fiber based composite materials.
See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Scientist
Composite Materials Engineer
A composite materials engineer designs and develops composite materials. These materials are made by combining two or more materials with different properties. Fiber reinforced composites are one of the areas covered by this course which makes it a good fit. The knowledge of fiber properties, material characterization, and textile manufacturing techniques, all taught in the course, is directly applicable to this field. This course may be useful to someone looking to design and build innovative composite materials, enhancing the composite's properties through the use of fibers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Composite Materials Engineer
Product Developer
A product developer is responsible for bringing new products from concept to market. This involves understanding material properties, manufacturing processes, and consumer needs. A product developer seeking a role in textiles can benefit from this course's focus on material selection, textile manufacturing, and design principles that can greatly assist in product creation. The knowledge of how to hierarchically design new materials and how those designs derive their properties from fibers is beneficial. This course provides the foundational knowledge for a product developer to create innovative textile products.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Developer
Innovation Manager
An innovation manager is responsible for developing and implementing new ideas and strategies. They oversee the innovation process within a company. This role requires an understanding of technological trends and commercial potential. This course is useful to an innovation manager, since it touches on innovation in the textile industry. With an understanding of textile manufacturing, research, and development, this course provides valuable insights into the potential for new products and technologies. In this role, the manager will need an understanding of new materials and technologies.
See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Manager
Research Scientist
A research scientist conducts experiments and analyzes data to advance scientific knowledge. This role requires a deep understanding of scientific principles and research methodologies. This course may be useful for a research scientist working with textile materials because it will build a foundation in the polymer science, mechanical, thermal, and moisture transport engineering of fibrous media. The course's practical exercises in crafting patent applications indicates a focus on innovation. The knowledge gained from this course is applicable to a range of research areas within textile and material science.
See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist
Color Scientist
A color scientist studies the perception and measurement of color. In the context of textile engineering, a color scientist will work with dyes, pigments, and color matching. This course may be useful to those working with color science. The course provides an overview of visual color science, the chemistry of natural and synthetic dyes, and pigment-based color. Understanding color engineering on a textile level is a key skill for a color scientist in the field of textiles. A focus of this course is the engineering of visual color appearance in the final textile product.
See salaries and explore the career path for Color Scientist
Sustainability Consultant
A sustainability consultant advises companies on how to reduce their environmental impact. This role involves understanding lifecycle analysis and sustainable practices. As this course covers the lifecycle analysis of fibers, textiles, and garments, a sustainability consultant working with textile companies should consider enrolling. This course may be useful to a consultant when learning how to mitigate the environmental impact of textile production and waste. The course discusses resource competition, environmental footprint, and product sustainability.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant
Biomaterials Engineer
A biomaterials engineer designs and develops materials for use in biological and medical applications. This may include tissue engineering or implants. The course touches on bio-derived man-made fibers. The course may be useful when learning how to use biological concepts within textile development. The course may be useful to those working with fibers, specifically in the context of biomimetics. Bio-inspired engineering principles are useful to learn for the biomaterials engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Biomaterials Engineer
Patent Attorney
A patent attorney specializes in the legal aspects of intellectual property, particularly patents. This position requires a detailed understanding of patent law. A patent attorney working with textile engineering would find this course useful as it reviews the history of innovation and intellectual property protection through the lens of the textile industry. In this role, an understanding of utility and design patent structure, coverage, and the anatomy of a patent application is important. The practical skills in drafting mock patent applications can be helpful for a patent attorney working with textile innovations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Patent Attorney
Technical Sales Representative
A technical sales representative sells technical products or services to clients. This role requires a strong understanding of the products and their applications. In this case, the candidate would be selling textile products and machinery. This course could be useful to a representative, because it covers various aspects of textile engineering. This course may be helpful because it provides useful insights into the manufacturing, testing, and design of textiles. This knowledge allows for a better explanation of the product's technical qualities and value.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Sales Representative
Apparel Designer
An apparel designer creates innovative designs for clothing and fashion accessories. This role requires an understanding of garment construction, textiles, and fashion trends. For the apparel designer, this course may be useful when learning about the properties of different types of fabrics. The course will provide an overview of textile manufacturing techniques, materials, and design principles. With the information provided in this course, an apparel designer may improve the quality and properties of their textile designs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Apparel Designer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Innovations in Textile Engineering: Fibers, Yarns, Nonwovens, & More.
Cover image
Lignocellulosic Fibers
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of textile engineering principles and practices. It covers fiber science, yarn manufacturing, fabric formation, and textile finishing. It serves as a valuable reference for understanding the technical aspects of textile production and innovation. It is commonly used as a textbook in textile engineering programs.
Lignocellulosic Fibers: Sustainable Biomaterials...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Putting Knowledge to Work
Save
Delves into advanced topics in textile engineering, including smart textiles, nanocomposites, and sustainable textile production. It provides a deeper understanding of cutting-edge technologies and research in the field. It is more valuable as additional reading to expand on the course materials. It is often used by industry professionals and researchers.
Putting Knowledge to Work
Paperback
Check
Putting Knowledge to Work
Kindle Edition
Check

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Effort
5 to 7 hours per week for 12 weeks
Level
Intermediate
Via
edX
Institution
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Instructors
Svetlana Boriskina
Ikra Shuvo
Session
January 21, 2025 - May 15, 2025
Language
English
Transcript
English
Good to know
Explores the fundamentals of polymer science, mechanical, thermal, and moisture transport engineering of fibrous media, which are essential for textile engineering
Covers industrial and lab-scale textile manufacturing techniques and machinery, providing practical knowledge for those entering the field
Examines real-world examples of commercialized textile-based technologies, offering insights into successful innovations in the industry
Culminates in crafting mock patent applications, providing hands-on experience in intellectual property protection within the textile industry
Requires learners to evaluate the risks of resource competition, environmental footprint, and product sustainability, which are important considerations in modern textile engineering
Includes a discussion of lifecycle analysis of fibers, textiles, and garments, which is relevant to understanding the environmental impact of the textile industry
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