Textile Materials (TextMat) workshop

The Textile Materials (TextMat) workshop takes place at Makerspace in Garching from November 4 to 5. It brings together leading experts from Aalto University and TUM under the Aalto–TUM strategic partnership. The workshop explores the transformative potential of smart and active textiles, which go beyond conventional fabrics by integrating electronic components and responsive functionalities. These textiles open new horizons for garments, interior design, healthcare, and overall well-being.

A key focus will be active textiles—materials that adapt to their environment through mechanisms such as textile actuation driven by ambient energy sources like temperature gradients or light illumination, reducing reliance on programmed electronics. To accelerate innovation, the workshop will also highlight the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in textile research. By combining in-silico modeling with laboratory experiments, AI-driven approaches such as Bayesian optimization can help tackle multi-level design challenges, optimize textile patterns, and minimize resource use by reducing experimental iterations.

Our goals are to (i) develop strategies for integrating computational and experimental workflows, (ii) strengthen existing collaborations, and (iii) expand the network to include more experts from Aalto and TUM. Together, we aim to conceptualize and realize the next generation of intelligent, sustainable textile materials.