Babak defends PhD thesis on electrically heating bio-based textiles

Abdi’s research addresses a growing global interest in smart textiles—materials capable of performing electronic functions while maintaining the comfort and flexibility of conventional fabrics. The thesis focuses specifically on textiles that can generate heat through electrical conductivity, opening possibilities for wearable technology, energy-efficient clothing, and functional industrial materials.

The work investigates how conductive coatings, material composition, and processing methods influence key properties such as electrical conductivity, heating efficiency, durability, and resistance to wear and washing. According to the research, current heating textiles often face trade-offs between flexibility, performance, and environmental sustainability, limiting their practical adoption.

By studying carbon-based nanomaterials and more sustainable binder systems, the thesis demonstrates how conventional fabrics can be converted into electrically active surfaces capable of stable and controllable heat generation.

The doctoral research contributes to the expanding field of functional and sustainable materials, particularly within bio-based textile innovation. Experimental findings provide a systematic understanding of how coating design and material selection affect long-term textile performance, offering guidance for future industrial applications and smart clothing technologies.

The study builds on several peer-reviewed publications examining conductive textile coatings, graphene-based materials, and heating performance durability, highlighting interdisciplinary collaboration between materials science, textile chemistry, and sustainable engineering.

Abdi’s successful defence marks a step forward in research aimed at combining sustainability with advanced textile functionality—an area expected to play an increasing role in wearable technology and energy-efficient solutions.