The 16th International hybrid Conference on Textile Bioengineering and Information (TBIS 2023) opened in Poznan, Poland and online on August 22th, 2023 (8:30 Poland time, 14:30 Beijing time), and successfully concluded on August 25th, 2023.

In the symposium, well-known experts and scholars from 18 countries and regions, including the United Kingdom, China, the Czech Republic, Poland, United States, Japan, France and Ukraine, delivered plenary lectures and keynote speeches in special forums.

The conference besides the main session, had 8 parallel sub-sessions comprising of 11 categories, 46 speeches and reports. Scholars at the conference carried out  profound academic exchanges on this year’s summit topic “Textile Digitization, Sustainability and Health. The diversity of multidisciplinary of topics were recognized and appreciated by the participants.

At the opening ceremony of the conference, the former Director of the National Institute of Natural Fibers and Medicinal Plants of Poland, National Research Institute, Professor Malgorzata Zimniewska; current Director Dr. Rafal Spachacz; Academician Meifang Zhu from Donghua University and Professor Guangwei Fu, Chairman of China Textile Engineering Society, delivered welcoming speeches. Professor Li Yi from the University of Manchester, TBIS founding chairman, and chairman of TBIS2023 International Scientific Committee (ISC) outlined the key features of TBIS2023.

On the 23rd of August, the first day of the conference, eleven lectures on functionality and sustainability of innovative textile materials and textiles were presented. Scholars from many countries engaged in academic dialogue on the application of innovative textile materials and sustainability, and explored possibilities and developments in the industry. In the afternoon, the discussions were split into various breakout rooms,  on different topics ranging, from textile material products and informatics to e-textile materials and wearables, and biomedical textiles. The conference presentations and discussions continued was carried out until 23:00 pm Beijing time. The strong academic atmosphere and high level of ideas exchange stimulated a passionate discussion on the future sustainable development of the textile industry.

On the second day of the conference, 24th of August, eight experts and scholars delivered their presentation on wearable technology innovation and digital health, and seven experts presented their research results on biomedical fiber materials and applications, functional textile materials and product innovations, as well as carbon footprint and carbon neutrality in the textile industry.  In the afternoon sessions, experts and scholars, in the fields of technological innovation in textile materials and engineering, textile bioengineering design and informatics, and clothing bioengineering, delivered comprehensive research reports with dynamic engagement from the participants. 

In the Qingdao University-TBIS Forum on Cleaner Production, Digitization and Sustainable Development, Prof. Changhai Xu, the Dean of the School of Textiles and Clothing at Qingdao University and Dr. Hilde Hiem of Manchester Metropolitan University co-hosted nine academic sessions. They explored important issues including material innovation, production technology innovation, digitization and the green, low-carbon and sustainable transformation of the textile industry.

At the forum of International Advanced Fiber Materials Society (IAFMS), Academician Meifang Zhu, Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering, Director of State Key Laboratory of Fibre Material Modification, Donghua University, and Chair of IDHIMIA (International Digital health and intelligent Material Innovating Alliance) introduced the society's development in the past three years, and its future outlook. The Chief Secretary of IAFMS, Professor Wang Gang, presented the development process of IDHIMIA and its transition to IAFMS. Professor Huang Zhongjie from the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University introduced the International Advanced Fibre Materials Innovation Forum 2023, which will be held in Shanghai from 21-23 October 2023. Prof. Yi Li, Chair of Textile Science and engineering, from the University of Manchester discussed the importance and challenges of international cooperation on the sustainable development of the textile industry and digital health. Mai Li, Chief Secretary of IDHIMIA, moderated the discussion and invited experts from France, UK, Czech Republic, Japan, South Korea and China to express their views and engage in the discussion on the future development plan. There was a lively discussion among the experts, and they are scheduled to meet in Shanghai in October.

The 17th TBIS conference, TBIS2024 scheduled for the 20th to the 23rd of August, 2024 at Daegu in South Korea. This will be the 17th TBIS conference, where scholars meet to continue to explore more about the future and possibilities of textiles!

Professor Seung Kook An delivered a welcome speech for TBIS 2024 at the TBIS 2023 Gala dinner, all the delegates witnessed the transition and handover from TBIS 2023 to TBIS 2024.

The TBIS 2023 Organizing Committee would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the organizers, co-organizers, supporters and and all delegates of TBIS 2023!