Our state-of-the-art research facility is located in the School of Engineering at the University of Minho. Equipped with the latest technologies and materials, our facility is designed to support innovative research and development of cutting-edge textile fibers.
Our team of experts has access to a wide range of equipment, including advanced testing and analysis tools, 3D printers, and specialized machinery for fiber processing and production. We are committed to providing a collaborative and dynamic work environment that fosters creativity and innovation.
AZURÉM, BUILDING 3
Functional Finishes Laboratory II
Azurém, Building 3, 1.02
In the Functional Finishes Laboratory II, compounds, nanomaterials, and innovative fibers are prepared and characterized. This laboratory enables the execution of the most common processes in the textile industry for dyeing or functionalizing: exhaustion and impregnation. These approaches facilitate the functionalization and dyeing of conventional textiles and advanced textiles, such as nanotextiles, with compounds and nanocompounds featuring improved properties and activities to create advanced multifunctional textiles.
EQUIPMENT:
– Padding mangle
– Dyeing equipment (Ibelus)
– Washing fastness evaluation equipment
(Fastness Test)
– Rubbing fastness evaluation equipment
(Crockmeter)
– Wet-spinning systems
– Pressure dyeing equipment (20 PSI)
– Pressure filtration system
– pH meter for liquids and solids
– Precision scale
– Regular scale
– Magnetic stirrer with agitation
– Heating/cooling bath – Stirred bath
– Oven – Biological oxygen demand meters
– Vacuum pump – Ultrasonic bath
– Climatic chamber – Slicer
– Air Conditioning
– Laboratory Dyeing Machine – AHIBA IR
– Orbital Shaker
– Compact Portable Scale
– Clothing Iron
– Hair Dryer
Advanced Textile Materials Analysis Laboratory
Azurém, Building 3, 1.03
In the Advanced Textile Materials Analysis Laboratory, multiple characterization tests of textile materials are conducted, including: resistance to ultraviolet rays and weathering, wettability, chemical and physical properties, and conductivity. In this laboratory, it is possible to characterize the UV protection index, quantify color and its variation. The size and architecture of fibers can be verified with different levels of microscopic magnification.
EQUIPMENT:
– Light chamber
– Potentiostat
– Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) with Attenuated Total
Reflectance (ATR) KBr pellet and liquid samples
– Ultraviolet Radiation Aging Chamber (UV)
– Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
– Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) with Cooler -80ºC
– Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
– Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
– Magnifying glass
– Fluorescence microscope
– Bright-field microscope
– Press – Precision scale
– Spectrophotometer for absorbance, reflectance, and fluorescence of
solids and liquids
– Goniometer – Rotavapor
– Fume hood
– Ultra-pure water system
– Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
– Fume Hood (1)
– InkJetFood 32.0 Printer
– InkJetFood 100 A3 Food Printer
– Spectrophotometer, SPECTRO 1050
Functional Finishes Laboratory I
Azurém, Building 3, 1.16
In Functional Finishes Laboratory I, textiles are prepared and functionalized, covering conventional textiles, nonwovens obtained by electrospinning, and various structures obtained through wet spinning. Equipped with state-of-the-art hot press, it is possible to consolidate all types of textiles, enabling the creation of multifunctional textiles. This laboratory also serves as support for the Microbiology Laboratory.
EQUIPMENT:
– Centrifuge
– Hot Press
– Orbital shaker
– Oven – Autoclave
– pH/oxygen/conductivity meter
– Microwave
– Scale
– Precision scale
– Magnetic stirrer with heating
– Autoclave
– Air Conditioning
Microbiology Laboratory
Azurém, Building 3, 1.16.1
In the Microbiology Laboratory, the antimicrobial properties of innovative yarns and textiles are verified and quantified. This Biosafety Level 2 laboratory evaluates antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Additionally, this laboratory handles microorganisms capable of generating nano-nonwovens and dyes that can replace currently used chemical dyes. The laboratory’s collection includes bacteria, fungi, and bacteriophage.
EQUIPMENT:
– Orbital shaking incubator
– Incubator
– Undercounter Ultra Low Temperature Freezer (-86ºC) – VTS 098
– Class II Biological Safety Cabinet
– Colony counter and magnifying glass
– Vortex mixer
Textile Physics Research Laboratory
Azurém, Building 3, 1.17
The Textile Physics Laboratory is dedicated to the physical characterization of fibrous materials, from yarns to textile structures, including their behavior regarding: tensile strength, compression, puncture resistance, three-point bending, air permeability, and impact resistance. Additionally, conductive, thermophysiological, and thermal insulation properties can also be quantified.
EQUIPMENT:
– Climatic chamber
– Dynamometer with and without climatic chamber
– Power supply and conductivimeter
– Grab tester
– Tog meter
– Impact resistance tester
– Cantilever
– Air permeability tester
– FricTorque tester
– Dynamometer
– Fibre Length Testing Instrument
– Air Conditioning (3)
– Impedance Analyser IM3570 + L2000 Accessory
– Digital Oscilloscope MSO5104 + Logic Probe
Research Chemistry Laboratory
Azurém, Building 3, 1.19
In the Research Chemistry Laboratory, active compounds are prepared and characterized to provide properties and activities that conventional textiles do not possess. Among them are natural plant extracts that have antimicrobial activity while promoting cell proliferation, making them excellent compounds for application in innovative yarns produced through wet spinning.
EQUIPMENT:
– Kjeldahl – Oven
– Muffle furnace
– Vacuum pump
– Ultrasonic bath
– Fume hood
– Precision scale
– Magnetic stirrer
– Distillation apparatus
– Wet-spinning systems
– Laminar Flow Hood (2)
– Orbital Incubator (with cooling)
– Hair Dryer
Textile Processes Laboratory I
Azurém, Building 3, 0.32 and 0.33
In Textile Processes Laboratory I, it is possible to produce the three major types of textiles: knits, woven fabrics, and nonwovens. In this laboratory, it is possible to produce warp and weft knits on both flatbed and circular looms, including seamless knits. Woven fabrics, including Jacquard fabrics, and nonwovens by needle punching can also be produced. Additionally, it is possible to decorticate and grind plant material to produce innovative natural fibers.
EQUIPMENT:
– Manual flat knitting machine
– Computerized flat knitting machine
– Cylinder circular knitting machine
– Cylinder and dial circular knitting machine
– Seamless circular knitting machine
– Interlock circular knitting machine
– Warp knitting machine
– Raschel knitting machine
– Jacquard loom – Braiding machine
– Decorticator
– Disc mill
– Samples Table Weaving Loom – 8 shafts
– Mannequin Torso – Man, Baby, Kid
– Digital Jacquard Loom TC2 (width – 110 cm)
– Opal 670 Sewing Machine
– Flatlock Sewing Machine
– Mannequin Torso – Female
Natural Fibers
Azurém, Building 3, 1.05
The Natural Fibres Laboratory is dedicated to the processing and characterization of natural fibres from renewable resources. The laboratory supports fibre extraction, cleaning, refining, and surface modification processes, together with the evaluation of their physical, mechanical, and morphological properties. It also enables the assessment of fibre quality and performance for textile, composite, and other bio-based applications, contributing to the development of sustainable material solutions.
EQUIPMENT:
– Chemical reactor
– Biological reactor
– Maceration tank
– Laboratory refrigerator
– Laboratory freezer
– Decorticator
– Fibre processing equipment
– Guillotine cutter
– Mills
– Electrospinning system
– Wet spinning system
– Filament extruder
– Laboratory oven
– Fume hood
– Orbital shaker
– Ultrasonic bath
– Analytical balances
– Halogen moisture analyzer
– Water bath
– 2000 W laboratory blender
– Syringe pump
– Vacuum pump
– Scanning Electron Microscope
with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS)
CAD
Azurém, Building 3, 0.35
The CAD Laboratory is dedicated to technical drawing and computer-aided design, supporting the development of engineering projects from concept to detailed technical documentation. The laboratory enables the creation, modelling, and visualization of components, assemblies, and products through 2D drafting and 3D modelling. Additionally, it provides resources for design validation, technical documentation, and the preparation of engineering drawings in accordance with industrial standards.
EQUIPMENT/SOFTWARE:
– Scanatic 360 3D Body Sca- Scanatic 360 3D Body Scanner TG-2050 (TG3D
Studio
– Scanatic™ Body Visualizer Software (included with the scanner TG3D
Studio; acquired in 2026)
– Fabric Kit CLO3D Software (CLO Virtual Fashion; acquired in 2026)
– Artistic Digitizer Software (version 1.7; acquired in 2025)
– Modaris Software (version V8R2; > 15 years license)
– Kaledo Print Software (version V4R1; > 15 years license)
– Kaledo Style Software (version V4R1; > 15 years license)
– Kaledo Knit Software (version V4R1; > 15 years license)
– Kaledo Weave Software (version V4R1; > 15 years license)
– Marker Manager Software (version V4R1; > 15 years license)
– ADOBE (version CS5; acquired in 2010)
– Attrezo Software (version 5.3.0.1; > 10 years license)
– Penelope Image (version 11.3.0.37; > 10 years license)
– Penelope Jacquard (version 11.3.0.60; > 10 years license)
– Office 2021 (acquired in 2021)