Polymer Nanofibers for Stronger Fabrics Using Less Material

Researchers from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology report that polymer nanofibers are stronger when their diameter is smaller than 500 nanometers, a finding which they say can enable stronger fabrics that use less material. The researchers report that each polymer nanofiber is composed of complex molecules, called macromolecules, which piece together in a series of “differently oriented macromolecular regions.” Researcher Eyal Zussman explained: “When the diameter of the fiber is much larger than the size of the oriented regions, the macromolecules can more relative to one another. But as the diameter of the fiber shrinks, these oriented regions become constrained. . . and the resulting nanofiber is much stiffer.” The article says that potentially applications include lighter and stronger fabrics.

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Nanotechnologies for Smart and Responsive Textiles

U.S.-based research company Research and Markets has released a new report called Nanotechnologies for Smart and Responsive Textiles which outlines nanotechnology products and materials, as well as companies, universities, and research centers related to smart and responsive textile applications for the aerospace, automotive, construction, healthcare and sportswear industries. The report describes a range of nanotechnology textile applications, including electronic textiles for round-the-clock patient monitoring, magnetic nanofibers for anti-counterfeiting applications, bioactive wound dressings, and several others.

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Cotton Cellulose Fibers for Growing Metal Nanocrystals

Researchers from the U.S. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have use cellulose fibers from cotton to grow new configurations of uniformly-sized metal nanocrystals that could have applications in biosensors, biological imaging, drug delivery and catalytic converters. Researcher Gregory Exarhos said that the finding is “”the first report of the efficacy of nanocrystalline cellulose templates” for forming metal and metal oxide nanoparticles with uniform size, a prerequisite for obtaining the types of chemical and physical properties needed for such applications. Exarhos also called the cellulose nanocrystals “molecular factories.” Using cotton cellulose fibers treated with acid as a natural template, the researchers were able to quickly grow uniformly-sized gold, silver, palladium, platinum, copper, nickel and other metal and metal-oxide nanocrystals. The researchers say that compared to other methods for creating uniform nanometals, which require the use of strong caustic reducing and stabilizing chemicals, the new method is a “green process” that only requires the cellulose, metal salts, and heat.

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Nanotechnology Laundry Product for Stain-Proofing Cotton, Wool, Silk, and Other Fabrics

U.S. research firm Soane Labs has authorized the sale of a new nanotechnology laundry product that claims to make clothes stain-proof against dirt and liquids such as water, oil, and ink for up to one month. During a demonstration of the product in China, Soane Labs’ researcher Michael C. Berg said that the product does not contain any chemicals that are unsafe for the human body. Berg explained that product forms a self-assembled polymer nanolayer on the surface of textiles washed with it. He also said that the product can be used for any type of fabric, including cotton, wool, and silk, and that the product does not alter the performance, texture, or air and moisture permeability of the fabric.

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India’s Ministry of Science and Technology Funding Nanotech R&D in Textiles and Other Sectors

An official from India’s Ministry of Science and Technology has said that the Indian government is planning to provide about US$23 million over the next five years to fund the ministry’s nanotechnology mission to create a “nanotechnology industry” in the areas of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, and engineering products. The mission also intends to build research capacity at some research institutes and universities in India. The article says, “If the mission fructifies, the products that may eventually hit the market may include high-precision drug delivery tools for difficult-to cure diseases like cancer, long lasting medicated stents for implants, high-end cosmetics and higher quality television screens, besides many engineering products.”

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Market Report on Nanotechnology and the Apparel Industry

Market research company Research and Markets has released a new market report entitled “Nanotechnology and the Apparel Industry,” which addresses potential applications of nanotechnology to garments and the potential effects of those applications on markets for apparel. The article says: “While nanotechnology is only in its earliest stages of development and application within the apparel industry, experts agree that nano-enhanced garments will likely become as expected and commonplace as attributes such as stretch, breathability and comfort. . . [N]anotechnology – by enhancing the functionality of fashion at all levels, from athletic wear to luxury – is set to completely revolutionise the apparel sector.” The market report also addresses issues related to consumer education and outlines a number of specific nanotechnology companies and nanotechnology-based products in the apparel industry.

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Link to “Nanotechnology and the Apparel Industry”

Nanocomp Technologies’ Carbon Nanotube Textile Yarns and Nonwovens

U.S. company Nanocomp Technologies, Inc. has announced that it has used long carbon nanotubes to produce a new lightweight, strong, and heat and electricity conductive textile material with potential applications in body armor, structural composites, commercial energy storage, and electronics thermal management. The new material can be used both in nonwoven and yarn forms. The article says that carbon nanotubes have superior electro-mechanical properties that could “augment or replace many current materials in end-user products.” Nanocomp’s president Peter Antoinette said, “Like our predecessors in performance products who developed Gore-Tex® and Tyvek®, we have a product platform with vast real-world functionality and, together with the system integrators that will ultimately incorporate it into end-use products, we aim to determine just how broad the benefits can extend.” Nanocomp is now developing prototype equipment for commercial scale production of the nanotube yarns and nonwoven material.

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Link to Nanocomp Technologies, Inc.