Scientist from Kenya researches 3D printing on textiles at HSBI

In the textile technology laboratory at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Nonsikelelo Sheron Mpofu is investigating how the properties of fabrics can be modified using 3D printing. At the same time, she wants to find out how more women in her African homeland can find their way into STEM degree courses and is looking at corresponding funding instruments in this country. Her research stay is made possible by an HSBI gender equality scholarship for researchers from the Global South.

Bielefeld (hsbi). Concentrated, Nonsikelelo Sheron Mpofu stretches the light-colored piece of fabric into the metal support. She smoothes out the folds with routine movements and inspects the piece from all sides one last time before placing the carrier in the 3D printer. She closes the glass cover, selects the appropriate preset on the small touchscreen and the device begins to whir quietly. A glance into the glass box reveals: layer by layer, a rectangle of resin is being formed on the fabric.

The 3D printer is located in the textile technology laboratory at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (HSBI). This is where Nonsikelelo Sheron Mpofu from Zimbabwe is currently researching the modification of textile surfaces using 3D printing. Her research stay at the university is being funded by an equal opportunities scholarship: in addition to working in the laboratory, Mpofu wants to research how the proportion of women in science degree courses can be increased.

Potato peel extracts meet cotton fabrics

“By increasing the number of women in STEM subjects, we can break down prejudices and stereotypes and inspire future generations of female scientists and engineers,” said Nonsikelelo Sheron Mpofu.

Nonsikelelo Sheron Mpofu recently completed her PhD in Materials and Textile Engineering at Moi University in Kenya. Her focus was on multifunctional cotton fabrics: her research included improving the antibacterial properties of cotton fabrics by adding potato peel extracts. Her main research topic was the adhesion of 3D-printed elements to textile substrates.

However, most of her work was limited due to a lack of access to suitable 3D printing equipment as well as equipment to determine the samples. Through the equipment in the textile technology laboratory and the exchange with the members of the “MTex³” working group at HSBI, Mpofu now wants to expand her research. She will be working in the laboratory of textile scientist Prof. Dr. Dr. Andrea Ehrmann in the Department of Engineering and Mathematics at HSBI until September.

Working at HSBI – “a dream come true”

She became aware of the HSBI scholarship for the research stay through the “Organization of Women in Science for the Developing World”. However, she was already familiar with the research work of the working group. “I had already written to Andrea Ehrmann a few years ago because I was interested in one of her scientific articles. Prof. Ehrmann and the working group are like my superheroes because their research impresses me so much,” says Nonsikelelo Sheron Mpofu with a laugh. The opportunity for research at HSBI is therefore “a dream come true” for her.

“Modifying” fabric through 3D printing

The scientists in the MTex³ working group are researching the integration of electronic components in textiles, conductive coatings or solar cells made of fabric, among other things – Mpofu’s research results are now making an important contribution to this. “Put simply, my research is about improving the properties of textile fabrics through special coatings,” she explains. ”This allows the fabric to be adapted for other uses such as medical textiles or outdoor clothing.”

One way to do this is to 3D print polymers onto textiles, which can be used to virtually “transfer” their properties, such as conductivity or an antibacterial effect, onto the fabric. The challenge here is the adhesion of the polymer to the textile substrate. In order to improve this, Mpofu is currently conducting a series of tests and varying different types of fabric and polymer compositions. A tensile tester then measures how much force is required to separate the textile from the polymer. The more pressure the bond can withstand, the better.

HSBI Welcome Center supports visiting scientists

Nonsikelelo Sheron Mpofu was and is supported by HSBI’s Welcome Center in organizing her research stay in Bielefeld. The Center supports visiting researchers with all bureaucratic issues relating to visas, health insurance and finding accommodation. Mpofu gratefully accepts the help; it is her first time in Germany and she had to overcome a few bureaucratic hurdles.

On her train journey from the airport to Bielefeld main station, she is surprised when strangers help her with her suitcases. “All my life I had been told how unfriendly and unapproachable Germans are. But most people are extremely warm and helpful,” she says. ”I also had this experience at HSBI: I felt at home here from day one. My colleagues made it so easy for me to fit in, and on my second day I was already in the lab and working as if I had been at HSBI for many years.” What else surprised her? “The Germany ticket, which I would like to use to visit more cities when I have time. And the waste separation and recycling, that’s really cool,” she says.

More women in STEM degree courses

Nonsikelelo Sheron Mpofu’s research stay is supported by a New Horizons scholarship from HSBI’s Central Equal Opportunities Officer. The scholarship is awarded once a year to researchers from the Global South who are conducting research on gender equality issues. For Mpofu, this is the question of how more women can gain access to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degree programs.

Because she knows how difficult it is to pursue a career as a woman in the natural sciences: “Female students often feel compelled to make an extra effort to prove themselves equal to their male fellow students,” says Mpofu. Concerns about possible discrimination in the workplace also prevent women from getting involved in these areas.

Changing this is important to her for several reasons. Mpofu: “Diverse perspectives enrich scientific research and innovation, but are also important for the progress of society as a whole. By increasing the number of women in STEM subjects, we can break down prejudices and pigeonholing and inspire future generations of female scientists and engineers.” Mpofu herself was the first female chair of the International Students Association and the first female representative for doctoral students at Moi University in Kenya.

Scholarships, support programs and, above all, raising awareness

She also has ideas for attracting more women to STEM degree courses: mentoring programs are intended to bring female students together with successful women in STEM subjects in order to offer them guidance, support and role models. This is also accompanied by awareness campaigns in schools. Mpofu: “I have observed that programs are already being offered in schools in Germany to encourage everyone, both female and male students, to take STEM courses. This is a good idea and I want to learn more about it during my stay so that we can implement something similar in our schools.”

In addition to financial scholarships for women, she also advocates special and culturally sensitive support programs and awareness campaigns that prepare both women for male-dominated workplaces and male colleagues for working with women in the workplace. Because: “In some cultures, the idea persists that certain professions, especially in the STEM sector, are unsuitable for women,” says Mpofu. The scientist herself is the best example of the fact that this is of course not the case.