The leading global event in fiber science and technology—The Fiber Society 2025 Spring Conference successfully concluded at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) from 21 to 23 May. Held under the theme "Future Fibers for Wellbeing, Intelligence, and Sustainability," the conference brought together over 300 scholars, experts, and industry representatives from approximately 20 countries and regions. A total of 200 high-quality academic presentations were delivered, showcasing the latest advancements in fiber science.
The conference attracted a diverse audience, including renowned scholars from prestigious universities, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Oxford, Cornell University, Tsinghua University, and Peking University, alongside representatives from major international companies in the fiber, textile, and apparel industries. It served as a vital platform for exchanging knowledge and insights on cutting-edge advancements and future trends in fiber science and technology.
The event was jointly supported by PolyU School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT), Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF), Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, Joint Research Centre for Fiber Innovations and Sustainable Materials, and PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute (XGRI), along with the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials at Donghua University and the flagship journal Advanced Fiber Materials, further demonstrating the collective commitment to advancing fiber science and technology.
Prof. Dahua SHOU, Conference Chair, Associate Director of RCTFF and XGRI, Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies and Associate Professor of SFT, gave the welcoming remarks. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Prof. Meifang ZHU, President of the Fiber Society, Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor of Donghua University, respectfully delivered the opening presentations. They also shared their perspectives on the future of fiber innovation and technological translation.
The conference programme featured six plenary lectures delivered by world-renowned scholars, addressing cutting-edge advancements in fiber materials, intelligent technologies, and their applications in energy and safety. The plenary sessions were moderated by Prof. Xungai WANG, Associate Dean and Chair Professor of SFT, Prof. Jintu FAN, Chair Professor of Fiber Science and Apparel Engineering of SFT and Director of RCTFF and Prof. Shou.
The conference comprised 11 thematic breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics, including advanced fiber materials, intelligent wearable technologies, healthcare and biomedical applications, energy and environmental fibers, sustainable textiles, and fiber composites and industrial textiles. In addition, the conference explored several emerging areas of significant interest, including fiber-based sensors, actuators and batteries, fiber modelling and mechanics, and new applications of fiber technology in artificial intelligence, robotics, and the metaverse, highlighting the diverse applications of fiber technology.
During the conference banquet, Prof. Xiangwu ZHANG, Vice President of The Fiber Society and Professor of North Carolina State University, announced the poster competition winners. The awards were presented by Prof. Liejin GUO, Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor of Xi’an Jiaotong University, who was joined by Prof. Zhuankai WANG, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, along with other distinguished plenary and keynote speakers for a group photo. In addition, Prof. Jintu Fan delivered a special presentation, sharing valuable insights into the historical development and innovative trajectory of Hong Kong's textile industry.
Conference Chair Prof. Shou is dedicated to the research and development of fiber materials and wearable technologies. His research breakthroughs in personal thermal and moisture management, intelligent wearables, and soft robotics have led to the practical application of these technologies. His work has been recognised with prestigious awards, including the Distinguished Achievement Award from The Fiber Society in 2023 and the PolyU Graduate School Outstanding Research Postgraduate Young Alumni Award in 2024.
