Page 78 - TEXtalks. August- September 2023

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SeaCell – an eco-friendly yarn with

medicinal properties

The invention of SeaCell – an eco-friendly fabric made from seaweed-based material, is an innovative
find of this kind. The manufacturers take the seaweed called Ascophyllum Nodossum or Knotted Wrack
from the farms of Icelandic fjords. The plant is processed and mixed with the cellulose to create a yarn as
in the case of lyocell or modal.

One of the biggest benefits of the SeaCell is that it naturally contains medicinal properties such as
calcium and vitamin E which are beneficial for the skin of the wearer, as well as have anti-inflammatory
properties. Such textile material is perfect for children’s clothing and active wear.

The harvesting method of seaweed is harmless and sustainable. In addition, the 100 percent plant-based
fabrics with standard SeaCell fibers, with no additional nanosilver, are completely biodegradable. While
Pangaea, a D2C materials science company, combines high-quality seaweed with GOTS-certified
organic cotton to create softer eco-friendly T-shirts, the Vitasea line from Lululemon makes excellent use
of SeaCell for comfortable yoga clothes. Leticia Credidio is also working on seaweed-based sleepwear.
SeaCell has recently gained popularity in the fashion industry due to its sustainable and eco-friendly
properties. The material is often used as a cotton or wool alternative in clothing and even home textiles.

Ink-jet printing for simpler e-textiles

North Carolina State University researchers have urethane-acrylate and poly(4-vinylphenol) – which
printed layers of electrically conductive inks onto acted as insulators. After printing, the surface of the
polyester fabrics to make e-textiles that could be material was monitored using a microscope. The
used in the design of future wearable devices. chemical properties of the insulating materials, as
well as of the textile yarns, proved important in
Since the printing method can be carried out at room maintaining the ability of the liquid silver ink to
temperature and in normal atmospheric conditions, conduct electricity and prevent it from penetrating
the researchers believe inkjet printing could offer a through the porous fabric.
simpler and more effective method of manufacturing
e-textiles. In addition, techniques common in the The electrical performance of the e-textile was
flexible electronics industry could be extended to retained after more than 100 cycles of bending and
textile manufacturing. The work was reported in the work will continue on improving the electrical
journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. performance compared to e-textiles created using
methods that require special facilities and
Layers of electrically conductive silver ink were atmospheric conditions, as well as on increasing
printed like a sandwich around two liquid materials– breathability.

August/September 2023