Flame resistant fabrics that have incorporated into them cellulosic filament yarns. The cellulosic filament yarns may be flame resistant (either inherently FR or treated so as to be FR) or non-flame resistant. Fabrics according to some embodiments are formed entirely of cellulosic filament yarns. However, fabrics according to some embodiments include additional yarns to ensure that the fabric complies with NFPA 1971 and/or 2112.

An apparatus for production of a low-shrinkage aliphatic polyamide fibre, in which polyamide is extruded through a spinneret to form filaments, then cooled and combined to form at least one yarn. The at least one yarn is subjected to drawing between the spinneret and a pair of inlet rolls, then in a further multi-stage drawing step is subjected to 4-fold to 6-fold drawing by pairs of draw rolls. The pairs of draw rolls successively heat the yarn and at least the last pair of draw rolls has a temperature of 5 C. to 20 C. below the melting point of the yarn. The yarn is relaxed by from 6% to 10% in a subsequent at least three-stage relaxation zone and is kept in a temperature range of 5 C. to 15 C. below the melting point of the yarn, and is subsequently wound up on a reel device.

An apparatus for production of a low-shrinkage aliphatic polyamide fibre, in which polyamide is extruded through a spinneret to form filaments, then cooled and combined to form at least one yarn. The at least one yarn is subjected to drawing between the spinneret and a pair of inlet rolls, then in a further multi-stage drawing step is subjected to 4-fold to 6-fold drawing by pairs of draw rolls. The pairs of draw rolls successively heat the yarn and at least the last pair of draw rolls has a temperature of 5 C. to 20 C. below the melting point of the yarn. The yarn is relaxed by from 6% to 10% in a subsequent at least three-stage relaxation zone and is kept in a temperature range of 5 C. to 15 C. below the melting point of the yarn, and is subsequently wound up on a reel device.

Yarn energy harvesters containing conducing nanomaterials (such as carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn harvesters) that electrochemically convert tensile or torsional mechanical energy into electrical energy. Stretched coiled yarns can generate 250 W/kg of peak electrical power when cycled up to 24 Hz, and can generate up to 41.2 J/kg of electrical energy per mechanical cycle. Unlike for other harvesters, torsional rotation produces both tensile and torsional energy harvesting and no bias voltage is required, even when electrochemically operating in salt water. Since homochiral and heterochiral coiled harvester yarns provide oppositely directed potential changes when stretched, both contribute to output power in a dual-electrode yarn. These energy harvesters were used in the ocean to harvest wave energy, combined with thermally-driven artificial muscles to convert temperature fluctuations to electrical energy, sewn into textiles for use as self-powered respiration sensors, and used to power a light emitting diode and to charge a storage capacitor.

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to composite fibers having a structure comprising a core component and sheath component, wherein each of the core component and the sheath component independently comprise a polymer and a disclosed cooling composition. In various further aspects, the present disclosure pertains to single-covered yarn comprising a core yarn comprising a disclosed composite fiber comprising a core component and a sheath component, and a first fiber comprising a cellulosic fiber, such that the first fiber is wrapped or surrounds the core fiber. In still further aspects, the present disclosure pertains to a fabric, e.g., a woven or knit fabric, comprising a disclosed single-covered yarn. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to composite fibers having a structure comprising a core component and sheath component, wherein each of the core component and the sheath component independently comprise a polymer and a disclosed cooling composition. In various further aspects, the present disclosure pertains to single-covered yarn comprising a core yarn comprising a disclosed composite fiber comprising a core component and a sheath component, and a first fiber comprising a cellulosic fiber, such that the first fiber is wrapped or surrounds the core fiber. In still further aspects, the present disclosure pertains to a fabric, e.g., a woven or knit fabric, comprising a disclosed single-covered yarn. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

A process and an apparatus for production of a low-shrinkage aliphatic polyamide fibre, in which polyamide is extruded through a spinneret to form filaments, then cooled and combined to form at least one yarn. The at least one yarn is subjected to drawing between the spinneret and a pair of inlet rolls, then in a further multi-stage drawing step is subjected to 4-fold to 6-fold drawing by pairs of draw rolls. The pairs of draw rolls successively heat the yarn and at least the last pair of draw rolls has a temperature of 5 C. to 20 C. below the melting point of the yarn. The yarn is relaxed by from 6% to 10% in a subsequent at least three-stage relaxation zone and is kept in a temperature range of 5 C. to 15 C. below the melting point of the yarn, and is subsequently wound up on a reel device. The invention further relates to a yarn composed of a low-shrinkage aliphatic polyamide fibre.

A process and an apparatus for production of a low-shrinkage aliphatic polyamide fibre, in which polyamide is extruded through a spinneret to form filaments, then cooled and combined to form at least one yarn. The at least one yarn is subjected to drawing between the spinneret and a pair of inlet rolls, then in a further multi-stage drawing step is subjected to 4-fold to 6-fold drawing by pairs of draw rolls. The pairs of draw rolls successively heat the yarn and at least the last pair of draw rolls has a temperature of 5 C. to 20 C. below the melting point of the yarn. The yarn is relaxed by from 6% to 10% in a subsequent at least three-stage relaxation zone and is kept in a temperature range of 5 C. to 15 C. below the melting point of the yarn, and is subsequently wound up on a reel device. The invention further relates to a yarn composed of a low-shrinkage aliphatic polyamide fibre.

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled yarns/polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the actuator system includes a twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and at least one of (i) wire connections that enable electrical heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, (ii) a radiation source and radiation pathway that enables photothermal heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and (iii) a delivery system for delivering chemicals whose reaction produces heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator.

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled yarns/polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the actuator system includes a twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and at least one of (i) wire connections that enable electrical heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, (ii) a radiation source and radiation pathway that enables photothermal heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and (iii) a delivery system for delivering chemicals whose reaction produces heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator.