NOTES TECH

Researchers Develop Virus-Killing Clothing for Production Line

Clothing that can kill viruses and bacteria on contact helps protect the people who protect us but getting that type of protective finish onto the uniforms first responders wear is a big challenge.

University of Alberta, Canada, researchers are now working to make the science behind self-decontaminating fabrics a good fit for the production line.

Textiles scientist

Patricia Dolez is leading research to perfect a “rechargeable” fabric finish that kills viruses.

John Ulan

“We want to take the technology from the lab and scale it up so that it is efficient and compatible for industry-level manufacturing processes, which is a very big step,” said lead researcher Patricia Dolez, a textiles scientist in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences.

To make wide-scale industrial production economically feasible, the one-year project focuses on improving the short- and long-term performance of a fabric finish Dolez and fellow researchers James Harynuk and Jane Batcheller are exploring. The work is supported by almost $1 million in funding from the Department of National Defence’s Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security program.

The finish uses N-halamines, compounds that can kill bacteria and viruses quickly and efficiently and can be easily grafted onto textiles.

Once scaled up, it could be applied to protective uniforms for everyone from soldiers and hospital workers to firefighters and paramedics.

www.ualberta.ca

Fibre52™ Technology Creates Better Cotton

Fibre52 ™ Cotton has unveiled a patent-pending technology to revolutionize the way cotton is prepared and dyed, substantially minimizing the use of water and energy and eliminating harsh chemicals while also offering a more durable and vastly improved naturalperformance cotton fiber to rival synthetics.

Traditional cotton treatment method, used for generations, involved hazardous chemicals and high heat that weaken the cotton fibers. Fibre52™ cotton’s licensed process replaces harmful chemicals with bio-active products and uses lower levels of heat in the pretreatment process, saving up to 50% in water, energy use and process cycle time.

By including the Fibre52™ dye technology, the cotton retains its natural properties and allows moisture to be transferred away from the skin, as opposed to the normal clingy feel of cotton. Fibre52™ cotton serves as a smart moisture and thermal regulator, forming a layer of dry air next to the skin and ranking it high on the comfort scale.

Fibre52 ™ underwent a rigorous series of tests, overseen by North Carolina State University and SGS to prove performance functionality. The results rank Fibre52™ high on dynamic cooling and drying rate tests as well as high marks for low pilling and improved tear strength. The tests revealed Fibre52™ cotton provides a steady heat flux and a short drying time, proving the wearer would feel more comfortable in hot and cold temperatures due to the slow change of the micro-climate.

www.fibre52.com

MMI Textiles, Milliken & Company Partner on Tegris® Thermoplastic Composites

MMI Textiles and Milliken & Company announced a commercial partnership that allows MMI to supply Milliken Tegris® Thermoplastic Composite fabric. MMI will be able to offer Tegris® at less than case quantities, effective immediately.

Milliken Tegris® Thermoplastic Composite fabric is designed for heavy-duty, often dangerous work. A breakthrough material that provides excellent protection against fragment, projectile or blast threats, it is engineered specifically for applications that need high stiffness, like plate carriers and belts. The fabric features a lighter total weight than traditional thermoplastics and composites without sacrificing protection.

Milliken worked closely with MMI to provide a comprehensive education on the product that positions the distributor as an expert on Tegris®. The partnership is uniquely designed to improve customer experience and provide an opportunity for partners to access Tegris® at quantities that were not previously offered.

www.milliken.com