Doctoral scholarship from the Ingeborg-Gross-Foundation

The functionalization of textiles and the possibility of transforming a fabric or fiber into a new innovative product has always fascinated me and has accompanied me throughout my entire academic career. During my Bachelor's studies at University Niederrhein, I intensively explored the field of cosmetotextiles, investigating various functionalization methods for attaching microcapsules to and within the fiber. Recently, I successfully defended my Master's thesis at Technische Universität Dresden in the field of biofunctionalization of silk for implant medicine, with the long-term goal of immobilizing cells, growth factors, or macromolecules, and possibly even medications, to the material, within the Mechanical Engineering department. I deeply delved into the chemical functionalization of silk surfaces, successfully functionalizing silk fibers using carbodiimide chemistry. The knowledge I have gathered in this area during my studies will undoubtedly be very helpful for my intended Ph.D. at the German Institutes for Textile and Fiber Research (DITF).

The aim of my dissertation, within the framework of the Ingeborg-Groß-Stiftung doctoral scholarship, is to analyze the feasibility of self-cooling effects on textile surfaces and to investigate the interaction of thermodynamic parameters concerning passive radiative cooling. Special coatings will be developed that can lower the surface temperature compared to the surrounding air temperature. The relationships to be determined will serve to save energy for air conditioning in buildings with textile material facades, but also to inspire material innovations for leisure clothing, sportswear, and protective clothing. Considering the rising temperatures due to climate change and the associated challenges, the results of this research offer a solution for a sustainable cooling system that does not require external energy input.