Abstract
The Textile Research Journal (TRJ) is the one and only globally recognized premier peer reviewed flagship journal for fundamental, theoretical, and applied textile science and technology. Established in February 1931, it is the topmost forum for original research in fibers, fibrous assemblies, advanced textile technologies, and industrial manufacturing. Over the years, it made its mark on the steady progress of textile research and innovation worldwide, inspiring generations, and attracting younger talents. And the journey continues.
Walking through the timeline
History being a fascinating subject, it would be appealing to trace the roots of the journal, particularly for the interest of budding technologists and other stakeholders. In 1930, there was a historically relevant initiative in the United States of America to establish a research institute to advance scientific research within the US textile industry, and it led to the founding of the United States Institute for Textile Research, Inc., later renamed as Textile Research Institute, and currently known as TRI Princeton. The institute established the Textile Research Journal as T.R.I. Bulletin in February 1931, to keep the members informed of its activities. Subsequently, its scope was expanded to include research abstracts and bibliography. From November 1932 onwards, it was renamed as Textile Research and published as a scientific journal. In 1944, it assumed a new format, making it a technical and scientific publication of industrial relevance.
In February 1945, during the Editorship of Julian S. Jacobs, the name was further changed to Textile Research Journal, making him the first Editor of TRJ. In May 1959, Richard K. Toner took over the Editorship and he mentored the journal until 1974. Ludwig Rebenfeld was his successor and eminently edited the journal until May 2004. Soon after, Yashavanth K. Kamath took over the Editorship, and it was during his period Sage Publishing took over the journal. He was thus the first Editor with Sage and continued until early 2007. From March 2007 until December 2025, Dong Zhang was the Editor-in-Chief, supported by an Editorial Advisory Board.
It is a great privilege and honor for me to walk through the path set by my predecessors and to strive for the high standards set by all of them: Julian Jacobs, Richard Toner, Ludwig Rebenfeld, Yashavanth Kamath, and Dong Zhang. It has been 6 months since I took over and I believe it is time to express my gratitude and appreciation to the founding fathers of the journal, the past and present Editorial Board Members, and also our reviewers, authors, and readers. Special thanks go to our Associate Editors for their immense support in peer review management and for being the TRJ Ambassadors worldwide. I am convinced that the reputation and standing of TRJ today is due to their long-term vision, strategic goals, concerted efforts, and unwavering support. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the Sage Management, Publishing and Production Editors, Content Managers, and all other Sage Team Members for their professional handling of the two-way anonymous peer review process and publishing the journal on schedule.
Rediscovering and rebranding
Over the years, TRJ has grown from strength to strength, and it accepts manuscripts from all over the world. It is built upon the field of materials science, with a focus on fibers and textiles, introducing novel concepts, innovative technologies, and industrially relevant advances in fibers, textile materials, chemistry, and processes. The future orientation of TRJ is to cover the complete circular textile value chain from raw materials to recycling and effluent management. The research topics covered by the journal would include, but not limited to: natural, synthetic, and bio-based polymeric materials; spinning, knitting, and weaving; engineered textile fabrics, nonwovens, and composites; textile machinery, production processes, and manufacture; chemical and surface modifications of fibers and textile substrates; textile pretreatments, dyeing, printing, functional finishing, coating, textile care, and detergents; testing and certification of textile products, etc.
On the technical textiles side, the journal aims for a complete coverage, including their applications in personal protective equipment, security and protection, industrial textiles, personal care products, sportswear, medical textiles, filtration, geotextiles, agrotextiles, construction, transportation, aviation, and space, as well as in smart, intelligent, and shape memory applications. It also covers various aspects of sustainable innovations, such as alternative raw materials, microbial fibers, natural and microbial colorants, waterless dyeing, digital printing, regenerative manufacturing, biotransformation of the textile industry, textile biomimicry, sustainable and slow fashion, eco-friendly processes, waste reduction, textile circularity, recycling, upcycling, reuse, and effluent treatments. Other areas include nanotechnology and biotechnology applications, plasma functionalization, laser and ozone treatments, sustainable denim and jeans, electronic and conductive textiles, clothing physiology, management of product design, eco-designs, eco-labeling, statistical analysis, economics, supply chain management, logistics, digitalization, and the application of robotics and artificial intelligence in textile manufacturing.
We would endeavor to build the journal up to take it to further heights, and to better serve the textile research community worldwide by publishing the most advanced research and innovations in the field. We are also aiming for gender balance and geographically balanced representations in the Editorial Board. Let us strive together to rediscover its glorious past for ensuring a radiant future by making TRJ the high-impact número uno journal in the field. In this direction, we have already planned several activities, such as guest edited collections, special issues, impactful reviews, collaborations with scientific conferences, events, networks, and associations, etc. Moving forward from this current Volume 96, I look forward to receiving your comments, suggestions, and feedback on the journal and its rebranding, keeping in mind that the centenary of TRJ is fast approaching. Thank you.