Nanotechnology in Fabrics

How can nanotechnology improve fabric?

Making composite fabric with nano-sized particles or fibers allows improvement of fabric properties without a significant increase in weight, thickness, or stiffness as might have been the case with previously-used techniques. For example incorporating nano-whiskers into fabric used to make pants produces a lightweight water and stain repellent material.

Fabric: Current Nanotechnology Applications

Nanowhiskers that cause water to bead up, making the fabric water and stain resistant.

Silver nanoparticles in fabric that kills bacteria making clothing odor- resistant.
Nanopores providing superior insulation for shoe inserts in cold weather.
Nanoparticles that provide a "lotus plant" effect for fabric used awnings and other material left out in the weather, causing dirt to rinse off in the rain.

Fabric: Nanotechnology Applications under Development

Lightweight bulletproof fabric using nanotubes

Battery created by coating a fabric with nanoparticles

Solar cell fabric using Konarka’s Power Fiber^TM

Clothing protective against hazardous chemicals using an honeycomb of polyurethane nanofibers.

Piezoelectric fibers that could allow clothing to generate electricity through normal motions.

Fabric: Nanotechnology Company Directory

Company	Product	Advantage
Nano-tex	Fabric enhanced with nanowhiskers	Water and stain resistant
Aspen Aerogel	Fabric enhanced with nanopores	Insulates against heat or chill
BASF	Fabric enhanced with nanoparticles	Dirt rinses of in rain, similar to property of the lotus plant
NanoHorizons	Fabric enhanced with silver nanoparticles	Reduces odors
Schoeller Technologies	Fabric enhanced with nanoparticles (NanoSphere®)	Water and stain resistant
Nano Group	Fabric enhanced with various nano treatments	Liquid and stain resistant, UV protection, etc

Resources

Textiles Nanotechnology Laboratory at Cornel University