Advanced and Smart Textiles during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: Issues, Challenges, and Innovations

Area of Science:

• Textile Science
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the textile and apparel industry, causing supply chain issues and demand fluctuations.
• However, the pandemic also accelerated digitalization and the adoption of functional materials within the industry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development of smart and advanced textiles created in response to the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.
• To highlight advancements in smart textiles for monitoring and sensing, and improvements in medical textiles for antiviral capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on smart textiles, nanofibers, nanogenerators, and antiviral materials.
• Analysis of market emergence of new smart textile products related to SARS-CoV-2 control.

Main Results:

• Smart textiles utilizing electrospun nanofibers and nanogenerators show promise for monitoring and sensing applications.
• Enhanced antiviral properties in medical textiles are crucial for pandemic prevention and control.
• Challenges in personal protective equipment (PPE) disposal were identified.

Conclusions:

• Smart textiles offer innovative solutions for pandemic response, including monitoring, protection, and spread reduction.
• The integration of nanotechnology and functional materials is key to advancing medical textiles.
• Addressing PPE disposal is essential for sustainable pandemic management.