Nano Technology in Apparel Industry

Latest Nanotechnology vs. Coronavirus

• Nanofiber face masks and respirators enriched with accelerated copper oxide not only mechanically intercept viruses and bacteria, they actively kill them as well.
• A consortium of international partners is working to develop a functional prototype for an antigen detecting, rapid-response,lateral_flow test for COVID_19.
• Tailored surfaces formed of a mixture of polyethene and graphite nanoplatelets can kill 99.99 per cent of bacteria that try to attach to the surface.
• The nanomaterials with enzyme-like characteristics developed by Chinese researchers can absorb and deactivate the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with 96.5 – 99.9 per cent efficiency.
• The rapid COVID_19 test based on IgG-IgM combined antibody and gold_nanoparticles has great potential benefit for the fast screening of COVID-19 infections within 15 minutes.
• Recent Alnylam advances in lung delivery technology suggest the possible utility of RNAi therapeutic for the treatment of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
• SNALP is a lipid_nanoparticle based siRNA trigger formulation that comprises ionizable lipids, shielding lipids, cholesterol, and endogenous or exogenous targeting ligands such as ApoE lipoprotein.
• Ad5_nCoV is a genetically engineered vaccine candidate with the replication-defective adenovirus type 5 as a vector to express the spike protein of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
• A particular antibacterial substance composed of titanium_dioxide and silver nanoparticles makes the surfaces self_sterilizing from six months to two years.
• Using an insulation block electrospinning process to manufacture orthogonal nanofibers by controlling the alignment of nanofibers Korean researchers succeeded in developing a washable nanofiber-based face mask.
• The colourimetric based MIT technology can detect the SARS_CoV_2 within 20 minutes using nanoparticle-bound antibodies against a specific viral protein.
• The first step in the clinical development of #Moderna’s mRNA vaccine against SARS_CoV_2 (mRNA-1273) is being conducted by NIH under its own Investigational New Drug application.
• mRNA technology has been widely used in many nanotechnology_patents focusing on the coronavirus (SARS / MERS) treatment approaches.
• A vast majority of nanotechnology_patents on coronaviruses have focused on the diagnostic methods based on CRISPR technology.
• The future of therapeutics is potent biological drugs, many of which have delivery challenges with respect to how much drug needs to be delivered to exactly wherein the body, while minimizing side_effects.
• Around 5.2 per cent (478 patients) of all coronavirus related patents so far registered are in the field of nanotechnology.
• Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC) is establishing a COVID_19 research program to develop a vaccine and test treatments against the virus.
• Loading antiviral agents on graphene_oxide (GO) enhances its biocompatibility while reducing the cytotoxicity of both GO and the antiviral agents.
• A New COVID_19 vaccine candidate has been developed using a proprietary recombinant_protein nanoparticle technology platform to generate antigens derived from the coronavirus spike (S) protein.
• Integrating a proprietary nanorod technology into a lateral_flow_test platform resulted in the development of a rapid screening test for the current coronavirus, nCoV19.
• Carbon quantum_dots functionalized with boronic acid ligands can interfere with the function of coronavirus S protein and significantly inhibit its entry into the host cells.
• Nanofiber based N95_respirators can block out at least 95 per cent of the airborne particles larger than 2.5 microns, including droplets carrying viruses and bacteria.
• Due to their two-dimensional structure, sharp edges, and negatively charged surfaces, graphene_oxide nanosheets are capable of interacting with microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses.

Conclusion

Nanotechnology is providing clothing manufacturers with whole new dimensions of design to work with. From lightweight specialist high-endurance clothing to suits that don’t get wet in the rain, nano-enhanced clothing will become a more and more visible part of our lives in the future. There are some environmental concerns, as ever, with nanomaterials being included in consumer products, where their disposal route is uncertain, and contamination of wastewater is a potentially huge issue. Not all nanomaterials are as dangerous as silver, however, and further research will only enhance our understanding of how to prevent pollution issues and make nanotechnology safer.

Nanotechnology has ample potential to enhance the clothing we live, work and play in, but it is not without its drawbacks. Nanomaterials face some safety concerns. Fabrics impregnated with silver nanoparticles could shed some of the particles, particularly during wash cycles, introducing the material to the environment where it could interfere with aquatic life cycles or promote antibacterial resistance. Nanoparticles could also be absorbed into the body with unknown consequences. More research is needed to determine safe levels of exposure.

The textile industry has already impacted by nanotechnology. The development in the applications of nanoparticles has been very rapid in past years, particularly in the field of textile finishing.  These nano-size materials are able to enhance the physical properties of conventional textiles in areas such as self-cleaning fabrics,  water repellence, UV protection, anti-bacterial,  anti-static, wrinkle resistance,  flame retardant properties of textile materials. Nanofibers also come to occupy the field of textiles and it has tremendous possibility.  Research involving nanotechnology to improve performances or to create unprecedented functions of textile materials is flourishing. There is no doubt that in the next few years, nanotechnology will penetrate into every area of the textile industry.

Despite the risks, work on applying nanotechnology to the clothing industry will continue, resulting in innovative products that advance the state of the art in wearable textiles.

References

• Nanosilver from clothing can pose major environmental problems– Chalmers
• Nanotech Clothing Fabric Never Gets Wet– New Scientist
• ‘Solid smoke’ material aerogel gets added strength– BBC
• Nanotech Clothing Warms in Winter, Cools in Summer– Fast Co.Design
• https://www.nanalyze.com/2018/02/7-startups-nano-clothing-technologies/
• https://sourcingjournal.com/topics/sustainability/nanotex-ll-32219/
• https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=3129
• https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/7135/application-of-nanotechnology-in-textile-industry
• http://www.cientifica.com/
• http://www.empa.ch/nanosafetextiles
• http://www.nanoposts.com/