Inside Textiles: Science, Design & Innovation
Textiles are everywhere — in what we wear, in how we heal, and in the technologies shaping our future. This four-session series, Inside Textiles: Science, Design & Innovation, offers an accessible yet in-depth journey through the fascinating world of textile science & engineering, inviting designers, scientists, makers, and curious minds alike to discover the materials that shape our daily lives.
Across hands-on and interactive sessions, you’ll explore the building blocks of fibres and yarns and learn how fabric structures are engineered. You’ll dive into the surprisingly complex world of textile coloration and see how expert testing ensures quality and performance. Along the way, this series connects foundational knowledge to real-world applications spanning fashion, healthcare, sustainability, and the smart textiles of tomorrow.
Every fabric starts with a fibre. In this session, we’ll explore the science of fibres and yarns — the tiny building blocks that shape stretch, softness, and strength in every textile. We’ll look at critical fibre properties for product design, from everyday wear to high-performance sports gear and medical textiles, and discover how yarn engineering impacts fabric qualities like comfort, bulk, and resilience.
PRESENTER
Dr. Saiful Hoque is a Textile Engineer and Materials Researcher whose work bridges fibre and polymer science, textile manufacturing, sustainability, and smart technologies. His research focuses on material performance, degradation, and the development of textile-based sensors and actuators for healthcare and rehabilitation.
He has authored 25 peer-reviewed articles, 2 book chapters, and 18 conference abstracts, and has been actively contributing to securing national and international grants as both a Principal Investigator and collaborator, leveraging his expertise in smart textiles and performance materials. Currently, Dr. Hoque is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering and the KITE Research Institute at the University Health Network.
In addition to his research, Dr. Hoque serves as Vice-President of the Institute of Textile Science (ITS), Canada, where he supports knowledge exchange and innovation within the textile community. With a background in fabric manufacturing, R&D in knitwear, textile testing, and a strong network in textile manufacturing, he offers consultancy and collaboration opportunities — particularly for smart textile startups, industrial partners, and research organizations — including support in sourcing sustainable, cost-effective textile materials, enhancing material performance, and accelerating commercialization.