Merino wool shines bright with gold nano particles

20 Jun '08

2 min read

The research and development team headed by Professor James Johnston of Victoria University, Wellington, have come up with an innovative product named Nano gold wool. The team has created a dyed scarf by adding nano particles made of pure gold with fine merino wool, which they showcased at Nano Science and Technology Institute convention held in Boston.

Gold in its yellow metallic form occupies a premier position in the world economy and society representing an international monetary standard, high value and quality. Fine Merino wool similarly commands a premier position in high quality fabrics, textiles and fashions. The team has captured the exciting and unique opportunity whereby the prestige and high value of gold is linked directly to high quality wool fibre using proprietary novel nanoscience and technology.

There are various advantages that this new technological product has which gives it a competitive advantage. The colour is fast and does not fade with passage of time because nano particles are closely attached on and within the wool fibre. The wool is anti-static and has mild anti-microbial properties. It is a 'green' product as nano gold wool fibres contain only pure wool and pure gold.

When the particle size of gold is reduced to nano size dimensions of up to a few tens of nanometres, it exhibits unique effects which give rise to a variety of intense colours depending on the size and shape of the nano particles. Gold nano particles about 10 nm in size are red. As the particle size increases to about 50-70 nm, the colour progressively shifts through the visible spectrum to violet, thereby providing a range of colours.

The technology and know how are owned by Victoria Link Ltd, a wholly owned company of Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. The technology and initial products have been developed on a small scale and are currently being progressed to commercialization. They are currently seeking expressions of interest of from the high end textile and apparel companies as potential business partners with the offer of exclusive rights.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India