Elmarco & renowned universities to develop new nano-fibre fabrics

14 Jul '08

3 min read

Elmarco, a Liberec based company, which has been successfully cooperating with top Czech academic and scientific institutions (the Technical University in Liberec, the Academy of Science, the Chemical Technical University, Charles University) on the development of nano-fibre technologies for several years, has recently embarked upon a wide program of partner cooperation and joint research abroad.

“We have managed to start parallel research projects with American North Carolina State University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology/MIT/ in the USA and Stellenbosch University in South Africa.“ stated Elmarco representative Ladislav Mareš.

With the help of Elmarco researchers and using Nanospider technology, which the company has developed together with the Technical University in Liberec, there has been ongoing development of new nano-fibre fabrics and materials for the US Army since the beginning of May.

The first mentioned project Elmarco undertakes together with North Carolina University, and on the project for the Army it co-operates with MIT.

“The US Army was one of our first customers, so we are glad that we can continue working with them. Details of the project are obviously confidential at the moment. “Mr. Mareš pointed out.

In conjunction with the South African University, the Liberec company is developing a nano-fibre yarn, with unique characteristics.

Nano-fibres are able to enhance the characteristics of traditional materials by between a hundred and a thousand times, and so, for instance, can reduce water permeability or maximize protection from the transmission of infection.“ added Elmarco production director Michal Mareš.

The Liberec company which is currently investing in a substantial extension to its research and production facilities, has other international partnership and research cooperation contracts in the pipeline.

One such, to be launched soon, is with the National University of Singapore and is concerned with the development of filtration materials and also with the production of special components for revolutionizing the use of solar energy.

“We are preparing other projects with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation – CSIRO in Australia, where we are focusing on the development of materials for the building industry.

This will be concerned with substances with great sound absorption characteristics, and simultaneously thermal insulation properties, as well as very dense composite materials.

All of this being achieved with minimal size compared with the size of traditional materials.“ Mr. Mareš suggested. In his estimation, research in Australia and Asia will begin this autumn.

The Elmarco company, which has grown from almost a family business into a company of world renown, is now significantly influencing trends in the use of nanofibre technologies, and has, by the way, been awarded the Nano 50 prize by the prestigious e-journal Nanotech Briefs – an official NASA periodical.

The company has also received two nominations for the Index Award at this year's Geneva trade fair INDEX 08, where six hundred exhibitors - producers of non-woven fabrics - came together from all over the world.

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