Summary - Download the technical datasheet (Note: Information is only available in Portuguese.)
The iSustainable Seats Project is led by Solfaestofo, under operation code COMPETE2030-FEDER-01971400.
Public transportation has undergone significant changes and continuous evolution over the past decade, driven by increasing population density and the integration of technology to enhance passenger convenience, along with growing user demands in terms of comfort and practicality.
In this context, the iSustainable Seats project aims to develop sustainable and intelligent fibrous structures for use in short-distance urban railway seating. A key focus of the consortium is the development of a structural solution for railway seats that replaces traditional polyurethane foams and flame-retardant mats, without compromising passenger comfort.
This contributes to reducing the environmental impact associated with the production and use of these foams and mats, as well as addressing the challenges of disposal at the end of their life cycle, such as landfill waste accumulation or air pollution from incineration.
Spacer knits have been particularly recognized in scientific literature as promising alternatives to polyurethane foams. Additionally, they can be engineered to incorporate flame-retardant properties and piezoresistive sensing capabilities within their structure.
Moreover, the possibility of disassembling the seat at the end of its life cycle into its various components—such as adhesives and coverings—offers considerable benefits. Efficient material separation facilitates the recycling process, contributing further to circular economy goals.
Thus, the project intends to develop smart and sustainable fibrous structures for railway seating that promote sustainability strategies, particularly through the use of natural endogenous materials and/or industrial waste from the Central Region of Portugal. These strategies include material reduction, monomaterial solutions, dimensional optimization, durability, reuse, and recyclability, enabled by improved disassembly of the product into its separate components at the end of its lifecycle.
Summary:
The project aims to develop sustainable and smart railway seats for use in urban transport, focusing on the replacement of unsustainable materials with eco-friendly fibrous structures. This includes promoting the widespread use of natural endogenous materials and/or industrial waste from the Central Region of Portugal, as well as strategies such as material reduction, monomaterial design, dimensional optimization, durability, reuse, and recyclability, enabled by easier disassembly of the product into its various components at the end of its life cycle.
The seats will be equipped with sensing capabilities to detect occupancy, operating based on the principle of mechanical deformation. They will be able to detect when a passenger is seated, enabling the activation or deactivation of automated systems, such as lighting.
This project promotes recycling and reuse, aligning with principles of sustainability and technological innovation, while supporting Solfaestofo’s growth in the mobility sector.
Specific objectives:
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Development of a railway seat incorporating spacer knits as a substitute for polyurethane foams and flame-retardant mats, with resilience and flame-retardant properties equivalent to those of conventional foams and mats, respectively—materials that are currently unsustainable and non-recyclable;
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Incorporation of natural or recycled fibers into the spacer knit without loss of properties compared to the negative control;
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Development of a piezoresistive sensing system integrated into the spacer knit, enabling the structure to detect pressure variations and also act as a presence indicator via lighting, alerting other public transport users to seat occupancy;
- Development of components or layers designed for disassembly at the end of their life cycle to promote recycling.
Overall, the system is expected to be robust in terms of stability and resistant to mechanical stresses and external agents encountered during extensive use.
Partners: Solfaestofo, Fibrenamics, LMA.
