Inspired by macroscopic high dimensional graphene materials, graphene fibres now have been fabricated in a range of methods, including drawing, solution spinning, thermal process, electrospinning, etc. Among them, most attractive, large-scale and widely used methodology is solution spinning liquid crystal graphene oxide, including wet spinning and dry-jet wet spinning. Properties of different kinds of graphene fibres were discussed in this review. Both neat graphene fibres and hybrid graphene fibres show remarkable mechanical and electrical properties, actuating properties and flexibility. Multifunctional properties provide graphene fibres potential in functional textiles, flexible and wearable sensors, supercapacitors, electrodes of supercapacitors, energy devices, and actuators etc. It is prospected that properties of graphene fibres will be further optimized, and their application will be more realistic and well developed.

In the current office environment, office personnel are using computers for long periods of time on a daily basis. Consequently, there have been increased reports of work-related neck and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders and tension neck syndrome, which affect countless office workers who use computers, which is also the leading cause of occupational illnesses. In rehabilitation treatment, clavicle support that involves the use of elastic material is prescribed to exert corrective pulling forces at the upper back and stabilise the clavicle and shoulder movements. This study therefore aims to evaluate the effect of clavicle support on the myoelectric activity of the axioscapular group of muscles, including the anterior deltoid (AD), upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), and lower trapezius (LT) in young women who experience chronic neck and shoulder pain during computer use. The results indicate that there is an overall significant difference in the percentage of maximum voluntary electrical activation (%MVE) of the axioscapular group of muscles between the use and absence of clavicle support (t=-2.982, p=0.005<0.05). Amongst the four types of muscles studied, the use of clavicle support has significant effects on the MT and UT muscles. The results is important to improve our understanding of clavicle support in association with muscle activity, thereby providing the basis for prescribing suitable rehabilitation treatment and intervention devices in the workplace for the reduction of musculoskeletal disorders.

Firefighters’ protective clothing (FPC) is essential for protection against thermal and physical threats.  FPC must be comfortable, enable heat transfer from the wearer to the environment and should not restrict motion. The application of a cooling vest under protective clothing may prevent overheating by cooling at the microenvironment level while working in a hot environment. In this study, the passive system, in the form of a non-woven fleece material, was investigated. This system was distributed across the surface of a vest on the upper front chest and back. In this passive system, hydro-crystals swell on contact with cold water, lowering body temperature or holding the body temperature at a normal level. The thermal insulation of the wet and dry cooling vest was tested using a thermal manikin. Results show that the thermal resistance of the system dropped significantly due to replacement of dry air with moist air with higher thermal conductivity. This reduction was proportional to the amount of moisture present within the system.

The paper deals with the 3D virtual prototyping of garments since they represent an important tool for booth textile and garment designers. It offers simple introduction of changes while developing a model in comparison to conventional techniques, quick response to the costumer’s demands and wishes regardless of their location. Moreover, 3D virtual prototyping of garments can successfully replace prototyping processes when the specific garments are designed e.g. garments for people with the non-standard body figure, wheelchair users, sportswear etc. The advantages and disadvantages of virtual prototyping of garments, used processes and methods, as well as the suggestions for new research opportunities on the filled of virtual simulation of garments and textile materials are presented.