Nanotechnology is having a major impact in the textiles and clothing industries. Hi-tech textiles and clothing are not only for the fashion conscious – they are important to the military and in policing, for first responders and in industries as diverse as healthcare and leisure. Researchers are perfecting ways to produce gate-all-around devices Already on the market is clothing that contains embedded silver nano-particles to combat odor through killing bacteria – and this capability has been extended successfully to wound dressings. Several brands of clothing, including designer labels, have incorporated self-cleaning and stain repellent nanotechnologies, very convenient for school clothes and military wear, – and, of course, the less a garment needs to be washed, more beneficial to the environment as more energy and money is saved.
Gold Nano-particles Impart Sensuous Colors from Pale Soft Green to Amber and Beige
More glamorous applications of nanotechnology include embedding gold and other precious metal nano-particles into natural fabrics such as wool. The gold nano-particles impart sensuous colors from pale soft green to amber and beige, depending on the particle size and shape. The colors are stable, and may even provide some antibacterial properties to the fabrics, as an added bonus. Other embedded nano-particles, such as the ubiquitous titanium dioxide, TiO2, enables garments that are extremely effective in cleaning the air as the wearer moves about his or her environment. A very attractive concept.
Currently, considerable research is focused on developing electro-spinning techniques which produce long fibers of polymer, only nano meters in width, originally developed in an effort to emulate spider silk. The spun, polymer-based nano fibers can be ‘loaded’ with different additives which could be nano-particles, enzymes, drugs or catalysts. Some combinations can be antibacterial and sprayed on to wounds as a kind of healing ‘web’, others can be conductive or form filters or membranes, important in water purification. There are as many exciting applications of the ability to spray-on a textile as the imagination can conceive of.
Polymer-Based Nano Fibers can be ‘Loaded’ With Different Additives which could be Nano-particles, Enzymes, Drugs Or Catalysts
Scientists are also working on nano electronic devices that can be embedded into textiles to provide special support systems for individuals in dangerous professions or sports. Some garments can provide monitoring for several life signs, including temperature and trauma, as well as toxic chemical sensing. Embedded devices can be used for power generation and storage to enable individuals to communicate with the outside world, even when isolated. Very handy for member of the police, military, students on gap-years and even career explorers. Garments with this kind of technology can be vital for the safety of firefighters working in dangerous situations in isolation from their colleagues, or even for skiers or their rescuers to give early warning signs of hypothermia.
Nano Electronic Devices can be Embedded into Textiles to Provide Special Support Systems for Individuals in Dangerous Professions Or Sports
Research is also ongoing into man-made nano fibers where clay minerals, carbon nano-tubes or nano-particulate metal oxides are used to impart new properties. These properties allow the development of garments that are halogen-free, flame retardant, with increased strength and shock-absorbency, heat and UV radiation stability, and even impart brighter coloration, important in situations requiring high visibility. Other work is focused on the very exciting area of inkjet printing onto textiles. This is opening up many possibilities, not just for the customized or localized printing of textiles to an individual design, but inkjet techniques can be used to create flexible electronic materials, sensing materials, and even the materials of the future with printed-on display capabilities.
These Properties Allow the Development of Garments that are Halogen-Free, Flame Retardant, With Increased Strength and Shock-Absorbency, Heat and UV Radiation Stability, and Even Impart Brighter Coloration, Important in Situations Requiring High Visibility
Elmarco′s NS LAB is the laboratory electro-spinning equipment for efficient nano-fiber membrane research and for experimental work. The NS LAB uses the same stationary electrode system as found in industrial Nano-spider™ Production Lines, therefore the results from the work on the NS LAB are easily upscalable to the NS Production Line NS 1S500U, NS 4S1000U or NS 8S1600U, the industrial electro-spinning equipment.
Elmarco′s electro-spinning equipment NS LAB can be configured to work with a wide variety of polymers and to produce a wide range of organic and biodegradable nanofibers. Depending on the polymer used fiber diameters from 80 nm up to 700 nm (+/- 30%) are possible.
National Textile University (NTU) Faisalabad organized the First National Conference on Technical Textiles (NCTT) from 26th to 27th September 2016 at NTU. The conference was jointly organized by National Textile University and NUST, Islamabad. The Objectives of the conference were to create awareness about the Technical Textile, share latest knowledge of technical textiles and to enhance interaction between researchers and professionals working in the field. More than 300 participants belonging to Baluchistan, KPK, Sindh, Punjab and Islamabad affiliated with 13 universities, 75 industries, defense sector organizations, HEC, PNAC attended the conference. Industrial participants include more than 50 CEOs and more than 170 technical directors and general managers. Dr. Yasir Nawab (NTU) and Dr. Muhammad Mujahid welcomed all the guests. Prof. Dr. Tanveer Hussain, Rector National Textile University gave a key note talk on the market of technical textiles, opportunities for textile industry and way out.
Rastgar & Co is authorized representative of Elmarco , Nano fiber equipment in Pakistan http://rastgar-co.com/elmarco-nano-for-life-ns-lab/
