Our textiles research is being used not only for clothes, but for filters, antiballistics, gaskets, insulation, upholstery, carpets, bedding, bandages and wound dressings.

In partnership with the community and industry, we undertake world-class research into the evolution and ecology of invasive species and the molecular biology and physiology of insects.

A 'fibre maturity' testing device designed to improve the quality of fibre produced by Australian cotton growers and yarn quality in overseas spinning mills has been licensed to new-start Australian company, Cottonscope Pty Ltd.

A guide designed to help the Australian cotton industry improve the quality of the fibre it produces has been released by CSIRO and the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC (Cotton CRC).

A cotton training program will be held at CSIRO Materials Science & Engineering, Belmont, Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 20 - 22 July 2010.

CSIRO has extensive capabilities in researching, understanding and tackling various insect pests of plants, plant diseases and weeds.

CSIRO researchers are working with Australia's cotton industry to build a sustainable industry for the future.

To combat falling international prices and competition from synthetic fibres, the Australian cotton industry relies on CSIRO research for continuing quality improvement.

Our highly skilled microscopy unit uses state of the art microscopes both electron and optical with imaging and analysis facilities to solve a vast range of problems.

A video showing CSIRO's new circular knitting machine for constructing miniature hollow tubes. This new resource will enable our biomedical research team to experiment with tissue engineering from textile structures. (0:30)

Australia exports A$1.5 billion of cotton every year, but as spinning and weaving machines change, farmers need to grow cotton varieties that produce fibre suitable for the new technologies. (4:00)

Dr Stuart Gordon has found new ways to measure cotton quality, improving cotton processing and adapting cotton spinning systems.

Dr Geoff Naylor's Fibre Science and Engineering Research Program investigates the structure, properties and behaviours of fibres and fibrous structures for new industrial materials.

Farming Ahead magazine regularly features CSIRO's research for the agricultural sector. This is a list of CSIRO articles published in the magazine throughout 2010.

This extract from Farming Ahead contains four stories on rainfall decline, Fusarium, the 'Cottonscope' and sustainable crops. (1 page)

CottASSIST lets you compare your farm data with past seasons' data to inform your decisions. This 2-page fact sheet outlines each of the tools available to cotton growers and advisors.

CSIRO scientists are looking for genes that make cotton fibres better for the textile industry. (2 pages)