University prof wins $490k for eco textile solution

This year, the grant is focusing on highlighting ways to make textile production more efficient and environmentally sustainable. Welcoming the assistance from the foundation, Sun said that the grant will give him opportunities to further explore the application of nanotechnology to develop more environmentally friendly dyes. He further said that the grant will allow involvement of graduate students in his research.

“This is a good opportunity to help students apply what they have learned in their courses and to solve real-world problems,” said Sun. “As professors, we not only need to do research and teach, but serve the society at large... This product will provide a really good opportunity to train students. Also, if we are successful, this technology will make a contribution to reducing pollution and improving the economy, so it’s something I’m happy to do and really motivated to do,” added Sun.

He is using nanotechnology to modify common types of dyes so their motion can be controlled with magnetic fields. The idea is that manufacturers can use magnets to pull the modified dyes into the fabrics more efficiently — and then remove most of the remaining dye from the wastewater.

Sun has already had preliminary success with two of the most commonly used classes of dyes—dispersed dyes, used on polyester fabrics, and reactive dyes, used for cotton. He has a patent pending on the technology. (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India