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10. Textile Scaffold

Research

"For this week,In this section, I explore different textile scaffolds and biomaterial combinations in order to understand how structure, texture, and material behavior influence the final outcome Textile scaffolds are innovative structures developed to support cell growth and tissue regeneration in the field of tissue engineering. These scaffolds are created using textile-based techniques, such as weaving, knitting, or braiding, which provide customizable and intricate three-dimensional architectures. The flexibility of textile scaffolds allows for precise control over their mechanical properties, porosity, and geometry, making them highly adaptable to various biological applications.

The use of textiles offers unique advantages due to their versatility in design. Mechanical properties of fabric scaffolds can be finely tuned by adjusting the weaving or knitting patterns, fiber materials, and production methods. This flexibility allows fabric-based scaffolds to meet the specific demands of different tissues, such as the strength required for bone regeneration or the elasticity needed for skin and cartilage repair.

Fabric scaffolds are typically composed of biodegradable and biocompatible materials, such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), or natural fibers like silk and collagen. These materials ensure that the scaffold degrades over time as the tissue regenerates, leaving no foreign residues. Moreover, fabric scaffolds can be functionalized with bioactive agents, such as growth factors or antimicrobial coatings, to enhance cellular responses and minimize infection risks.

The development of fabric scaffolds represents a fusion of traditional textile engineering with modern applications, offering a scalable and cost-effective approach to creating complex three-dimensional structures.

References & Inspiration

. Research on wood-based biocomposites

. Leather sculpting and historical armor techniques

. Natural material engineering

. Organic and plant-based composites

inspiration

  • Image reference

  • Download reference

Links to reference files, PDF, booklets,

about your images..

  1. https://class.textile-academy.org/2025/neyla-coronel/assignments/week10/

  2. https://www.google.com/search?q=Textile+Scaffold+for+fashion&sca_esv=9d809d8b35e69a97&rlz=1C1ONGR_enRW1145RW1145&udm=2&biw=1396&bih=675&sxsrf=AE3TifNXnvH4kHz0BPyfRdWSWWHqIyanWg%3A1767525482672&ei=akxaaf3nKLr-7_UP-qWUqA8&ved=0ahUKEwj9xJrE4fGRAxU6_7sIHfoSBfUQ4dUDCBI&uact=5&oq=Textile+Scaffold+for+fashion&gs_lp=Egtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZyIcVGV4dGlsZSBTY2FmZm9sZCBmb3IgZmFzaGlvbkjPQlCzFli3PnACeACQAQCYAYIFoAGZJ6oBCDMtMTAuMS4yuAEDyAEA-AEBmAICoAKRBcICBxAjGCcYyQLCAgQQABgemAMAiAYBkgcFMS41LTGgB9QGsgcDNS0xuAeMBcIHAzItMsgHCYAIAA&sclient=gws-wiz-img#sv=CAMSVhoyKhBlLW5IQldpVE9keFpnOV9NMg5uSEJXaVRPZHhaZzlfTToOY293U2Z1TEZJR1NqVU0gBCocCgZtb3NhaWMSEGUtbkhCV2lUT2R4Wmc5X00YADABGAcglf3GhQEwAkoKCAEQAhgCIAIoAg

Tools

. Boiled water: 1 liters (already prepared). 𖡎. Alum (aluminum sulfate): Use around 150-200 grams per liter of water. . piece of knitted material 𖡎. plasit contain to hold water . scale . kettle to boil water

Process and workflow

PREPARE THE SOLUTION

While the water is boiled (around 60–70°C is ideal for better dissolving), divide it into manageable portions and dissolve the borax and alum separately in a 2:1 ratio. I added 200g of alum in hot water and i do mix until it all desolve. The solution should be super-saturated, meaning no more powder can dissolve at that temperature.

SOAK

I first soaked the small knitted fabric sample in clean water and gently squeezed it so that it remained damp but not dry. Then I placed the damp knitted fabric into the prepared aluminum sulfate solution, making sure it was fully covered, and I gently moved it around so the solution could enter the fibers. I left the fabric soaking in the solution for about 24 HOURS, stirring it gently from time to time to help the mordant spread evenly

AFTER SOAK

After soaking, I removed the fabric from the solution and squeezed it gently without twisting or wringing to avoid stretching the knit. I then rinsed the fabric lightly with clean water to remove any excess residue, without washing or scrubbing it. Finally, I hung the fabric in a shaded and ventilated place and allowed it to air-dry completely, leaving it properly mordanted and ready for dyeing.

Ingredients & Recipes

  1. Small piece of knitted fabric (sample swatch)

  2. Aluminum sulfate powder

  3. Warm water

  4. Clean water (for wetting and rinsing)

  5. Plastic container

Boiled water: 1 liters (already prepared). 𖡎. Alum (aluminum sulfate): Use around 150-200 grams per liter of water. . piece of knitted material 20cm to 20cm

I CRYSTALIZED TOP

I aimed to achieve a spiky crystal effect by experimenting random mixing of water and alum, hoping to create a unique texture. However, the outcome didn’t meet my expectations.

I realized part of the challenge was the material I chose, a furry fabric struggled to hold and grow large, well-defined crystals. The uneven attachment made the crystals appear less structured and cohesive than I envisioned.

While this experiment didn’t yield the desired result, it reinforced my interest in crystallization as a design technique. I believe there’s still untapped potential in this process, but achieving consistent and visually satisfying outcomes requires a more controlled and deliberate approach. This project was a learning experience that has inspired me to refine and revisit crystallization in future explorations.

RESULTS

Recipes

  1. recipe: salmon skin fish-leather ↩