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Design of bedding textiles that contact the human body affects the sleep quality. Bedding textiles contribute to comfort sense during the sleep duration, in addition to ambient and bed microclimate. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of different layer properties on the compression recovery and thermal characteristics of multilayer bedding textiles.

In this study, woven and knitted multilayer bedding textiles were manufactured from fabric, fiber, sponge and interlining, respectively. Different sponge thickness, fiber and interlining weight were used in the layers of samples. Later, the pilling resistance, compression and recovery, air permeability and thermal conductivity of multilayer bedding textiles were investigated.

The results indicated that samples with the higher layer weight and thickness provide better compression recovery and lower air permeability properties. It was also found that knitted surfaces show the higher air permeability than the woven surfaces depending on the fabric porosity. Layer properties have insignificant effect on the thermal conductivity values.

While researchers mostly focus on thermal comfort properties of garments, there are limited studies about comfort properties of bedding textiles in the literature. Furthermore, compression recovery properties of bedding textiles have also a great importance in terms of comfort. Originality of this study is that these properties were analyzed together.

Sleep quality, a crucial parameter for health and life performance, is affected by mattress components; particularly mechanical and thermal comfort management ability of the upper layers. The aim of this study is to investigate effects of quilted mattress ticking fabric material (polyester, polypropylene, viscose, lyocell and their blends) on thermal comfort of the bedding system by objective and subjective measurements.

The permeability (air and water vapour), heat transfer, water absorption, transfer and drying behaviours of knitted quilted fabrics which influence the thermal comfort of the bedding system were investigated. Subjective coolness and dampness evaluations were gathered by forearm and hand-palm tests to provide more realistic discussion in light of fabric characteristics.

According to the results, polypropylene can be suggested for winter use with its higher air and water vapour permeabilities, lower thermal absorption and conductivities and warmer evaluation results. Lyocell can be suggested for summer use with also high permeabilities, higher thermal absorption and conductivities and cooler evaluation results. Polyester and viscose may also be considered for winter and summer in turn as a result of thermal feelings they create.

In addition to fabric thermal, permeability, liquid absorption and transfer properties, this study also includes subjective coolness and dampness evaluations which can provide realistic results regarding the coolness-to-touch and liquid transfer performances of mattress ticking fabrics. The relationships among objective and subjective data were investigated and the proposed subjective evaluation techniques can be used for different products.

The purpose of this study is to determine the temperature ratings of infant bedding.

Mathematical models were developed for predicting temperature ratings of infant bedding for all age groups based on the thermal balance equation. These models were validated by the published physiological data and the baby manikin tests. The air temperature was compared with the predicted temperature rating, and the skin temperature of infant or baby manikin was used to explain the validation results.

The models had higher prediction accuracy, especially for the infant bedding with uniformly distributed thermal insulation. The results showed that an increase of 1 clo in thermal insulation caused a decrease of 4.2–6.0 °C in temperature rating. The slope of the model reduced with the increasing month-age, indicating that an older infant had a lower temperature rating than a younger infant.

Suggestions were given for caregivers that younger infants ought to be covered with more bedding than adults; however, older infants were expected to require less bedding.

The outcomes provided scientific guidelines on the selection of bedding for infants at a particular room temperature to ensure the health and safety of infants.

Sleep is a vital and a basic activity of human life and it is a physiological need for human body. Sleep quality is directly influenced by the comfort conditions of sleep environment. The purpose of this paper is to define the role of textile materials utilized as bed fabrics on air and mass transfer from the human body.

Thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, thickness, water vapour permeability and air permeability properties of fabrics were analyzed and statistically evaluated. Thermal conductivity and resistance measurements were performed in Alambeta test instrument. Water vapour permeability tests were done according to the Rotating Platform method, and air permeability was measured in FX 3300 Textest air permeability tester. Relationships between comfort parameters were statistically evaluated with correlation analysis.

Comfort is a major concept in the determination of overall life quality as well as sleep quality of a resting person. Therefore academic studies about thermal comfort prediction of sleep environment and bed surface fabrics are of great importance. This study investigates conventional mattress ticking fabrics in terms of comfort parameters and defines the important fabric properties on comfort parameters.

Sleep comfort is a promising area in textile comfort studies with its dynamics different from body thermal comfort during daily life. However, in general comfort studies are about garment materials which are in direct contact with the skin. This study tries to define the comfort status of textile materials which have indirect contact with the human body surface during sleep duration.

Examines the fourteenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.

To significantly adopt and improve indoor energy efficiency in building infrastructure in developing countries can be a challenging venture. Thus, this study aimed to assess the satisfaction of indoor environmental quality and its effect on energy use intensity and efficient among student housing.

The study is quantitative and hinged on the contrast theory. A survey of 1,078 student residents living in purpose-built student housing was contacted. Using Post-Occupancy Evaluation and Multiple Linear Regression, critical variables such as thermal comfort, visual comfort and indoor air quality and 21 indicators were assessed. Data on annual energy consumption and total square metre of the indoor area were utilised to assess energy use intensity.

The study found a direct relationship between satisfaction with indoor environmental quality and energy use intensity. The study showed that students were more satisfied with thermal comfort conditions than visual and indoor air quality. Overall, these indicators contributed to 75.9% kWh/m² minimum and 43.2% kWh/m² maximum energy use intensity in student housing in Ghana. High occupancy and small useable space in student housing resulted in high energy use intensity.

Inclusions of sustainable designs and installation of smart mechanical systems are feedback to student housing designers. Again, adaptation to retrofitting ideas can facilitate energy efficiency in the current state of student housing in Ghana.

Earlier studies have argued for and against the satisfaction of indoor environmental quality in student housing. However, these studies have neglected to examine the impact on energy use intensity. This is novel because the assessment of energy use intensity in this study has a positive influence on active design incorporation among student housing.

University students spend a considerable amount of time in dorm rooms, where their environmental condition affects residents' health, well-being, sleep quality and the associated performance. Accordingly, this study aims to run an initial assessment of the environmental quality of two dormitory buildings in Tehran, using field studies and computational simulation, and then provide feasible optimized improvement strategies. The possible correlation between architectural elements and the environmental quality and the impact of proposed solutions on the annual energy use of these spaces are also discussed.

Field studies and computational simulation.

Results indicate that applied strategies, including shadings, reflectors, thermal and acoustic insulations, inlet vents and ceiling fans, can boost different aspects of the thermal condition, ventilation, acoustics and visual comfort by 21.77, 55.96, 20.69 and 50.37%, respectively. Accordingly, an acceptable comfort level can simply be achieved at a low cost by installing or replacing a few construction elements in dorm rooms. Nevertheless, a systematic architectural design can offer healthy spaces. For instance, south-facing rooms with large windows provide a higher level of thermal comfort and daylight quality.

This study shows that an acceptable level of IEQ can be achieved in dorm rooms by applying simple retrofit strategies. Moreover, energy consumption of dormitories can be significantly reduced using these solutions. However, the efficiency of the strategies in comparison to their economic aspects should be discussed, and results need to be further validated in real conditions. It is also recommended that a more extensive range of dormitory room typologies be studied in future studies. The results of this study are limited to the study context and so they can only be applied in case studies with similar use and climatic condition.

While many studies have explored the environmental quality of dormitories in different climatic conditions, no significant work has been found in Iran, Tehran investigating feasible optimized improvement strategies responding to all IEQ aspects of acoustics, thermal comfort, air and visual quality. Accordingly, this study makes an initial assessment of IEQ factors in a typical dormitory complex, and then develops practical retrofit strategies to bring the environmental condition of these spaces close to the suggested standards.

The aim of this work was to validate the Wilson and Laing theoretical mathematical model for estimating the intrinsic “dry” thermal resistance of upper‐bedding, and compare the two‐dimensional models commonly used to estimate the “dry” thermal resistance of bedding in use, with the actual intrinsic “dry” thermal resistance measured using an infant thermal manikin. The Wilson and Laing model was the only model used adequately to estimate the intrinsic “dry” thermal used resistance of materials arranged over the infant thermal manikin. Estimation of intrinsic “dry” thermal resistance of bedding during use is not adequate using two‐dimensional models. Further investigation into the relationship between thermal resistance, conditions of use, and SIDS using the Wilson and Laing model is recommended.

This paper aims to summarize researches conducted related to functional textiles for prevention of pressure ulcers and critical analysis of the outcomes to pave path for the future research in this area for benefit of the patients. Pressure ulcers, also known as bed sores, pressure sores and decubitus ulcers, are localized areas of tissue damage that develop due to pressure usually over a bony prominence. A standard hospital mattress has an interface pressure of 100 mmHg which can result in pressure ulcers unless repositioning occurs at regular intervals. Moisture accumulation on the skin is an important physical factor predisposing a patient to the occurrence of pressure ulcers and tissue breakdown. The disability leads to several requirements of functional clothing and textile products. The textiles play a variety of roles in this concern, from simply having good aesthetic appearance to preventing life threatening risks. An ideal support surface prevents pressure ulcers by providing pressure redistribution and maintaining a healthy skin microenvironment. The use of the textiles for the care of elderly disabled and bedridden persons can play an important role, as their quality of life can be improved by making use of functional and good-looking textiles.

This review paper aims to summarize researches conducted related to functional textiles for prevention of pressure ulcers and critical analysis of the outcomes to pave path for the future research in this area for benefit of the patients.

In the past years, there have been several functional textiles developed for the prevention of pressure ulcer. They are designed to maintain proper microclimate around patient skin. Sheepskin is one of the oldest used bed overlays which prevent pressure ulcer but its prolonged use leads to uneasy feeling for the patient. A sensor in bed for pressure detection is one of the good alternatives as it provides proper indication on when to change the position of the patient so that the pressure can be shifted and ulcers is prevented. These sensors are costly and complex to setup so for common man they are not easily available. Multilayer textiles on the other hand are complex to make as the properties are dependent upon the fiber content, yarn structure, fabric structure and technique of layering them together. Spacer fabric provides good air and moisture permeability, but there is a scope to study this type of fabric by varying the fibers type and thickness of the spacer fabric. A bedding material which is not much complex and can be easily purchased and used by common man for in-house usage is the need of the hour.

There is no comprehensive review available regarding research in this area with critical analysis of the outcomes for future study.

Examines the fifthteenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.