Practitioners in apparel manufacturing and retailing enterprises in the fashion industry, ranging from senior to front line management, constantly face complex and critical decisions. There has been growing interest in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to enhance this process, and a number of AI techniques have already been successfully applied to apparel production and retailing. Optimizing decision making in the apparel supply chain using artificial intelligence (AI): From production to retail provides detailed coverage of these techniques, outlining how they are used to assist decision makers in tackling key supply chain problems. Key decision points in the apparel supply chain and the fundamentals of artificial intelligence techniques are the focus of the opening chapters, before the book proceeds to discuss the use of neural networks, genetic algorithms, fuzzy set theory and extreme learning machines for intelligent sales forecasting and intelligent product cross-selling systems. - Helps the reader gain an understanding of the key decision points in the apparel supply chain - Discusses the fundamentals of artificial intelligence techniques for apparel management techniques - Considers the use of neural networks in selecting the location of apparel manufacturing plants

Antimicrobial textiles have attracted a great deal of interest in recent years due to their potential for reducing the transmission of infection in medical and healthcare environments. Antimicrobial properties can also improve the performance and lifespan of consumer products, and so these fabrics are increasingly finding applications in the wider textile and apparel industry. This book provides systematic coverage of the technologies and materials required for developing these important textiles. In Part One, chapters address key issues and technologies in the creation of antimicrobial textile products. Topics covered include testing and regulation, microencapsulation, sol-gel coating and plasma technologies, nanotechnology and life cycle assessment. Part Two then reviews key antimicrobial agents, such as N-halamines, plant based compounds and photo-active chemicals. Finally, the chapters of Part Three offer detailed reviews of antimicrobial textiles for particular important applications, including medical devices, protective clothing and products with improved durability and longevity. - Reviews key issues and technologies in the creation of antimicrobial textile products - Offered a detailed overview of by antimicrobial agents and a wide range of important applications - Produced by an experienced editor and a distinguished and international team of contributors

Advances in Smart Medical Textiles: Treatments and Health Monitoring provides comprehensive coverage on smart textiles, the emerging and important materials that are finding applications in the fields of medicine and healthcare. The book explores the range of smart textiles available for use in medicine and the transfer of these innovative technologies into medical applications. Early chapters survey various smart fibers, fabrics, and finishes, while subsequent sections focus on the role of smart textiles in treating patients, from wound care to rehabilitation, and the use of textile-based sensors and wearable electronics for monitoring patient health. - Provides a comprehensive review of the materials used in smart medical textiles - Analyzes the application of these textiles in medical treatments and sensors for health monitoring - Covers the range of international research in the field and keeps focus on the needs of the textile industry

Textiles play a vital role in the manufacture of various medical devices, including the replacement of diseased, injured or non-functioning organs within the body. Biotextiles as medical implants provides an invaluable single source of information on the main types of textile materials and products used for medical implants. The first part of the book focuses on polymers, fibers and textile technologies, and these chapters discuss the manufacture, sterilization, properties and types of biotextiles used for medical applications, including nanofibers, resorbable polymers and shaped biotextiles. The chapters in part two provide a comprehensive discussion of a range of different clinical applications of biotextiles, including surgical sutures, arterial prostheses, stent grafts, percutaneous heart valves and drug delivery systems.This book provides a concise review of the technologies, properties and types of biotextiles used as medical devices. In addition, it addresses the biological dimension of how to design devices for different clinical applications, providing an invaluable reference for biomedical engineers of medical textiles, quality control and risk assessment specialists, as well as managers of regulatory affairs. The subject matter will also be of interest to professionals within the healthcare system including surgeons, nurses, therapists, sourcing and purchasing agents, researchers and students in different disciplines. - Provides an invaluable single source of information on the main types of textile materials and products used for medical implants - Addresses the technologies used and discusses the manufacture, properties and types of biotextiles - Examines applications of biotextiles as medical implants, including drug delivery systems and stent grafts and percutaneous heart valves

Textiles for Sportswear is an important book that systematically covers key trends in design and materials, the use of novel and smart fabrics, and a range of specific applications. The book begins by surveying the principles of textile applications in sport, including design, materials, and production technology. The uses of smart textiles in sportswear are then examined, from intelligent materials to wearable technology. Final sections of the text explore comfort in sportswear, sportswear for protection, and recent advances in sportswear technology that are currently being applied to particular sports. - Reviews the principles of textile applications in sport, including design, materials and production technology - Examines the uses of smart textiles in sportswear - Discusses how recent advances in sportswear technology are being applied to particular sports

High performance textiles represent one of the most dynamic sectors of the international textile and clothing industry. With contributions from leading experts in the field, this book provides an important overview of key developments in the field. Chapters cover the use of high performance textiles in such areas as protective clothing, heat and fire protection, medicine, civil engineering and the energy sector. - Reviews various approaches to modelling the geometry, structure and mechanical and physical properties of advanced textile materials - Evaluates novel surface treatments involving plasma and laser technologies for a range of high performance textiles - Focuses on textiles for specific purposes, with chapters devoted to textiles for heat and fire protection, wound care, industrial filtration, geotextiles, civil engineering and sustainable energy applications

With increased environmental awareness and rising costs, manufacturers are investing in real time monitoring and control of dyeing to increase its efficiency and quality. This book reviews ways of automating the dyeing process as well as ways of understanding key processes in dyeing, including dye transport in fluid systems. This understanding is then used to create models to simulate the dyeing process which can then be used to develop appropriate measurement and control systems. Control of variables such as temperature, pH, conductivity and dye concentration can then be used to ensure a more consistent and cost-effective dyeing process. - Reviews the dyeing process and dye house automation, and the factors that affect dyeing quality and common difficulties in the process. - Explains the principles underlying the dyeing process and provides a thorough understanding of the mathematical models that can be used to approximate it. - Discusses techniques for monitoring dyebaths and controlling the dyeing process.