GRAÇA MARIA BARBOSA SOARES

Graça Maria Barbosa Soares is a Professor at the University of Minho specializing in Textile Engineering. Her research focuses on sustainable textile technologies, including enzyme-based effluent treatment, thermal comfort materials, self-cleaning fabrics, and UV protection systems.

• Academic Background: PhD in Textile Engineering (2001) from University of Minho

Research Highlights:

• Developed multifunctional cotton with TiO₂ nanoparticles and phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal regulation and photocatalytic self-cleaning
• Innovated PVC-based synthetic leather with PCM integration for automotive comfort applications
• Explored cyclodextrin-based eco-friendly textile finishes
• Advanced hydrogel functionalization for improved wound dressings

Publication Trends:

• Focus on sustainability across textile processing and material design
• Integration of nanotechnology for functional properties
• Thermal management applications in both apparel and automotive sectors

Additional Contributions:

• Extensive work on natural dyeing systems and bio-based textile treatments
• Recent exploration of photocatalytic air purification using TiO₂ in asphalt mixtures