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Nanotech deal opens door to develop greener wool textiles
08 Dec '10
4 min read
“Silver has anti-microbial properties, so embedding textile products with silver nanoparticles eliminates the need to treat them with insecticide compounds to prevent microbial decay. The bedding sector and niche carpet sectors are obvious target markets for this application.
“In addition, gold and silver nanoparticles impart weak electrical conductivity to the fibres. This means carpets, for example, can be made anti-static, opening opportunities in a myriad of commercial applications.
“A competitive advantage of our technology is that the gold and silver nanoparticles are permanently bound to the wool fibre, and thus do not come out through normal wear and tear or repeated washing."
Professor Johnston says the relationship with WPI has enabled his research team to make more rapid progress than would otherwise have been possible in identifying development pathways for the nanotechnology. “We are very pleased with the arrangement, and we look forward to bringing the technology closer to commercial development in the near future,” he says.
“In addition, gold and silver nanoparticles impart weak electrical conductivity to the fibres. This means carpets, for example, can be made anti-static, opening opportunities in a myriad of commercial applications.
“A competitive advantage of our technology is that the gold and silver nanoparticles are permanently bound to the wool fibre, and thus do not come out through normal wear and tear or repeated washing."
Professor Johnston says the relationship with WPI has enabled his research team to make more rapid progress than would otherwise have been possible in identifying development pathways for the nanotechnology. “We are very pleased with the arrangement, and we look forward to bringing the technology closer to commercial development in the near future,” he says.
Wool Partners International
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