DigiTEX project aims to support innovative approaches and digital learning technologies to accelerate innovation, teaching and learning in the field of medical, protective, sensorial and smart 3D textiles design, testing and manufacturing of the innovative advanced products for healthcare (protective equipment, wearable monitoring devices) in the context of the digital economy. Due to the fourth industrial revolution and Internet of things (IoT) development, an attractive direction for textiles is the new concept of flexible wearable devices based textiles to be more comfortable and be easily worn. The intersectoral priorities according to the objectives of the project DigiTEX are: -to co-design wearable prototypes based on needs and perspectives in developing 3D smart sensors based textiles for traditional textiles, fashion, medicine, sport and leisure technical protective equipment, and space missions. To evaluate the qualitative and quantitative results to select the best practices for respondents' most attractive options (doctors, firemen, pilots, fashion designers, athletes). -to understand, accelerate innovation, and provide Intensive Study Programmes, virtual workshops and e-learning courses about electronics embedded into textiles. -to initiate, learn and teach about 3D prototyping for medical, protective, sensorial and smart textile for sensors and actuators -to study the context and the best practice for use, apply and recycle the materials used in medical textile devices, intelligent textile (textile surface, metal micro/nanoparticles, electronic parts). -to study, learn and disseminate the aspects concerning the smart textile material performance, wearable devices (components, the accuracy of the information, personal data management, privacy, durability, resistance, reusing, recycling, and disposal with a low impact on the environment). To study and communicate the aspects concerning the micro/nanoparticle's potential toxicity based on ferrous/non-ferrous metals used in protective, medical, or smart textiles. -to create a book of best practices -to develop a database of knowledge about smart advanced textile materials used for medical devices, flexible sensors, covering aspects from friendly wearable to a potentially harmful or toxic effect for human health and the environment -to create the blended learning and e-learning platform for smart intersectoral learning and wearable prototypes development -to create a toolkit of creative methods to attract students and accelerate the innovation in medical, protective, sensorial and smart 3D textiles for medical devices, protective equipment, sensors and wearable devices.
The DigiTEX project supported innovative approaches and digital learning technologies to accelerate innovation, teaching and learning in the design, testing and manufacturing of medical, protective, sensory and intelligent 3D textiles for advanced innovative healthcare products (protective equipment, devices monitoring devices) in the context of the digital economy. Learning tools based on creative methods for the co-design and co-development of smart and wearable textiles for the medical field, protective equipment, fashion, leisure and sports have been developed within the DigiTex project. The objectives of the project DigiTEX were: -to co-design wearable prototype based textiles; -to accelerate innovation, and provide Intensive Study Programmes and e-learning courses; -to initiate, learn and teach about 3D prototyping and smart textiles for sensors and actuators; -to study the context and the best practice for recycling the materials used in intelligent textiles; -to communicate and disseminate the aspects concerning the smart textile; -to create a book of best practices; -to develop a database; -to create an e-learning platform for learning; -to create a toolkit of creative methods in order to attract students.
In the context of the fourth industrial revolution and the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), an attractive direction for the textile education, research, innovation and production sector is the co-design and development of flexible wearable-based textiles to be more comfortable and easier to wear. The DigiTex partnership comprised seven institutions from 5 European countries (Romania, Greece, Italy, Spain and Lithuania), presenting a balanced geographic coverage. The consortium was based on institutions with different profiles, capacities and complementary competencies appropriate for developing the work programme 3 (higher education institutions, a public research organization, a cluster of textiles and two non-profit organizations). Implementation activities led to achieving the project objectives supported by preparation, management, quality, communication and dissemination activities that ensured the distribution of its results even after the project had ended. The project results are the outcomes of six (6) Intellectual Outputs (O1, O2, O3, O4, O5, and O6). These results have been intensively disseminated in the framework of the six multiplier events (E1-E6).