NANOTECHNOLOGY
IN
CLOTHING AND TEXTILES
KEY TERMS
 MEMS – three dimensional objects that perform a
mechanical function, whose dimensions are between
1 to 100 micrometers
 Nanoparticle – a particle of material at the nanoscale
 Nanotechnology – a material or structure
purposefully manufactured with dimensions
between 1 and 100 nanometers to leverage the
unique properties it has at that size
 Nanosphere – a round particle with nanoscale
proportions
 Nanowhiskers - are ten nanometers long, made out
of carbon, and designed to be flexible
http://www.villagehome.org/lego/RKSA/Nanowhisker.html
 Nanofiber - are defined as fibers with diameters less
than 1000 nm nanometers. They can be produced by
interfacial polymerization and electrospinning
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanofiber
 Electrospinning – uses an electrical charge to spin
fibers into a nonwoven pattern
 Polymer - is a large molecule (macromolecule)
composed of repeating structural units;
encompasses a large class of natural and synthetic
materials with a wide variety of properties.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer
UNIT OBJECTIVES
1. Describe the history of nanotechnology in
textiles.
2. Why nanotechnology in textiles?
3. Discuss fabrication of nanofibers.
4. List properties of surface modification.
5. Describe nanoparticle composite fibers.
6. List how the military uses nanotechnology.
7. Describe Nano-Tex.
8. List new fibers in nanotechnology.
9. Name characteristics of impact resistance.
10.Give examples of athletic apparel that uses
nanotechnology.
11.List characteristics of fabric protectors.
12.Describe re-cabling fashion.
13.Discuss anti-pollen fabrics.
14.Describe anti-static textiles.
15.Discuss water-repellant fabrics.
16.List characteristics of UV-protective textiles.
17.List characteristics of wrinkle resistance
fabrics.
18.Describe how swimwear uses
nanotechnology.
19.Discuss footwear and nanotechnology.
20. List future applications of nanotechnology
in textiles.
21. List expected salaries for skilled
nanotechnology workers.
22. List Oklahoma schools offering courses in
nanotechnology
• Nanotechnology in textiles has been around
since humans began dyeing fibers and fabrics
to impart color, which dates back to 2600 BC
in China
• Chemists have used surface chemistries not
only to color textiles, but also to impart many
different properties to fibers and fabrics
• Today, coatings and dyes are commonplace for
textiles to market products using a
nanotechnology spin
• The world of consumer textiles has been
changed by nanotechnology. Manufacturers
have created stain-resistant or moisturewicking fabrics by applying a chemical finish
containing nanoparticles to cloth.
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WHY NANOTECHNOLOGY?
Emotional clothing
Odor free clothing
Stain repellant clothing
Clothing that changes colors
UV protection in clothing from zinc-oxide
nano-particles
• Clothing to prevent colds and the flu
• Clothing that does not need to be washed
FABRICATION OF NANOFIBERS
• Fibers with diameters of
several hundred
nanometers or less
• Nanofibers fabrication
is electrospinning
• Fibers are absorbent,
breathable, and/or
water- repellent
http://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/facilities/winners07feb/dong.html
SURFACE MODIFICATION
• Used to impart unique
properties to fibers and
fabrics
• Applications range from
water and stain
repellency, wrinkle
resistance, and flame
retardation
http://www.bluestarsilicones.com/silicones/lang/en/bluestarsilicones
/markets__applications/applications_pour_le_textile_et_le_cuir
NANOPARTICLE COMPOSITE FIBERS
http://www.biomedcentral.com/14726750/9/34/figure/F8?highres=y
• Incorporation of
nanoparticles, such as
silver particles and
carbon nanotubes, can
be used to create fibers
that are antimicrobial or
have increased strength
of electrical
conductivity
• Military uses socks that can
be worn for two weeks
between washing
• Military has invested in
fabrics reinforced with
nanofibers for high
performance, lightweight
tents, and awnings that can
better endure heavy wear
and tear
• \
http://www.specopstactical.com/military-clothing-c87.html
• Hunting clothes use
nanotechnology to
cover scent
http://www.p-wholesale.com/subcat/4/245/outer-wear-p22.html
• Face masks have been
created that when
exposed to light, kills
viruses and bactiera
http://www.ecvv.com/product/1986093.html
NANO-TEX
• Nanowhiskers allows
fabric to breathe
without changing how
the fabric feels
http://www.spsj.or.jp/c5/pj/pj05/2005/pj3712.htm
SMART TEXTILES
1980s – clothing that changed colors; pink
when cool; blue when warm
1990s – swimmers body suit to streamline
swimmers movement and reduce water on
the swimmers back
2000+ - electronics embedded within clothing;
the cooling jacket which prevents shivering;
clothing to monitor heat rate
NANO-TEX (FIBER TREATMENTS)
 Coolest Comfort – moisture drawn from the skin
helps body temperature balance
 Resist Spills – liquid beads up and simply rolls off
fabric or easily wipes off
 Repels and Releases Stains – liquids roll of and
stains wash out easily
 Resist Static – eliminates static in synthetic fabrics
TORAY INDUSTRIES
http://www.birt-bespoke.com/homepage
• Offers a variety of fabric
treatments using a
nanoscale processing
technique called
NanoMatrix
Example: Tapguard which is
soil resistant, water
repellant, and oil repellant;
used for uniforms in the
food industry
INKMAX
• Developed nano-fine
adhesive polymers, 70
nanometers thick, that
are found on cotton
fabric. This allows for
ink jet printing with no
water.
http://yutongtex.en.made-in-china.com/customdetail/xJQxmEnAMEhQJQJEnxmyGxLE/Cotton-PoplinSpandex-Fabric.html
ANTI-BACTERIAL
• Silver nanoparticles and
titanium dioxide are
being added to fibers to
provide deodorizing,
anti-bacterial, and soilresistant properties
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dstuart/355583438/
• Japan Exlan offers a
fiber called selfclear,
which relies on
nanoparticles of
titanium oxide
http://www.asiaonline.com.au/japan/attractio
ns.html
• The TioTio air catalyst
from Sunward Shokai
provides yarn with a
deodorizing,
antibacterial treatment
and relies on the use of
titanium oxide.
http://www.faqs.org/photo-dict/phrase/4648/tiltedcross-yarn.html
NEW FIBERS
• Greenyarn – based on nano-particles of bamboo
charcoal is antimicrobial and deodorizing properties
• Japan Wool Textile Nikke Miracle products
-Wel Warm – moisture-absorbing and heat
generating properties
-Bambool – wool and bamboo fibers that are
anitbacterial, deoderant, and moisture absorbent
-CoolTwist – wool and yarn infused with ceramic
nanopowder to block UV rays
IMPACT RESISTANCE
• “Liquid Armor” (shear
thickening fluid) – its
nanoparticle based
coating material allows
fabric to remain flexible,
but upon impact
becomes hard. Used
for body armor vests,
helmets, and gloves.
http://personalbodyarmor.com/
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bubble_Wrap.jpg
• d30 has a product made
of “intelligent
molecules” that are
incorporated in sports
gear. It is a thin, flexible
sheet like bubble wrap.
Viscose fluid and
polymer lock upon
impact creating a rigid
pad.
ATHLETIC APPAREL
• New Balance created
the Skye Crop sports
bra that makes use of
nano channel yarn as
part of its Lightning Dry
Extreme Liner
http://dealnay.com/945555/new-balance-wbt8307profile-crop-sports-bra.html
• Yocum activewear used
Coolest Comfort
technology from
NanoTex to wick away
moisture and keep you
feeling cool and dry
http://www.outfitterharborsprings.com/index.php?main_page=page&id
=15&chapter=0
• Eddie Bauer – Relaxed Fit
and Classic Fit shirts,
Performance Polos, Khakis,
wrinkle-resistant shirts
• Gap – Stressfee Khakis
• Lee – LPK Double Pleat and
Plain Front
• LL Bean – Double L Chinos
and Timberledge Pants
• Nordstrom – Smartcare
Pique Polos
http://celebrifi.com/gossip/Grown-Sewn-Khaki-Pants2160623.html
FABRIC PROTECTORS
• Stain resistant
• Fade resistant
• http://www.cmienterprises.com
SAFETY TIES
• Can your 100% silk
necktie do this?
• Water just beads right
up on 100% silk Safety
Ties!
http://www.sopranoties.com/proddetail.asp?prod=NS6618&cat=87
RE-CABLING FASHION
• Implanting smell
technology into multisensorial clothing
• Clothing and
accessories that detect
and monitor pollutants
or change your mood
http://specialsensorystuff.blogspot.com
ANTI-POLLEN
• Toray Industries has a
fabric that relies on
nanotechnology to
make them anti-pollen
which means pollen
grains cannot stick to
them.
http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd78/amber772011/?action=
view&current=grass.jpg
ANTI-STATIC
• Land’s End is one of the
first companies to
promote the use of the
Nano-Tex Resists Static
treatment in their
fleece scarves, hats, and
gloves.
http://cgi.ebay.com/LANDS-END-Womens-FLEECE-SCARF-Skull-HAT-SET-Gray-NEW/310261293303
WATER REPELLANT
• New Balance
Performance Outerwear
integrated the Nano-Tex
Repels and Releases
Stains treatment
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sugoifirewall-220-windproof-jacket/
• Circa V has a line of
parkas, puffer coats,
bomber jackets, and
down vests that are
liquid repellant.
http://www.fashionmefabulous.com/2008/11/cold-weather-coats-under-150.html
UV-PROTECTION
• UV blocking treatment
for cotton fabrics was
developed using the
sol-gel method. A thin
layer of titanium dioxide
is formed on the surface
of the treated cotton
fabric which provides
excellent UV-protection.
http://www.girlsclothingdirect.com/sun-safety-and-uvprotective-clothing/
WRINKLE RESISTANCE
• Nano titanium dioxide
and nano-silica are used
to improve the wrinkle
resistance of cotton and
silk.
http://www.sudsiesdrycleaning.com/wrinkle-free-3
SWIMWEAR
• Sandproof by Toray
Industries is a fabric
that prevents sand from
sticking to swimwear
• Speedo LZR swimsuit
uses cold plasma
technology to repel
water
http://www.ineedprettythings.com/retroswimwear/
FOOTWEAR
http://picclick.com/Amazon/Health-PersonalCare/Health-Care/Foot-Care/
• Greenyarn sells socks
based on their bamboo
charcoal fiber
• Toasty Feet shoe liners
by Polar Wrap are made
of highly insulating aero
gels that prevent your
feet from getting cold in
the winter weather
ARC OUTDOORS – BROKEN ARROW
• ArcticShield – this cold
weather clothing is
innovatively thin and
unbelievably warm
• X-System – Nano-silver
eliminates source of body
odor, making hunters nearly
invisible to animals’ keen
sense of smell
• ARC is developing a line of
hospital uniforms that will
also be anit-microbial
http://www.oknano.com/NanoFocus2007Pics.html
FUTURE APPLICATIONS
 A nanocoating that could possibly have the ability
to self heal
 Textile surfaces which can remove surface
scratches and scuff marks; repel insects; and
decolorize red wine spills are under development
 Nanotechnology is being used to develop
“sensorized” garments with the ability to monitor
body temperature and vital signs
Self ironing suits are being developed using
nanomaterials that respond to heat
Bioreactive plastic coatings are being
developed to protect the wearer against
biological and chemical attacks
Military uniforms are being developed that
will change colors on command to camouflage
the wearer
 Nanotechnology is a young and growing field
 An estimated two million skilled nanotechnology
workers will be needed worldwide by the year
2015 – one million of them in the U.S.
 Graduates are receiving salary offers up to
$55,000 per year with a two-year degree
 Graduates with a baccalaureate degree can
expect salary offers up to $65,000 per year
 Students who choose to continue their education
can expect salary offers of $100,000
OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS OFFERING
COURSES
Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma University
Tulsa Community College
Tulsa University
REFERENCES
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www.techexchange.com/thelibrary/nanotechnology.html
www.azonano.com
www.textileworld.com
www.nanotechnology.com/public/features/textiles.asp
www.nanowerk.com
www.engineeringservicesoutsouring.com
Richard Booker and Earl Boysen, Nanotechnology for Dummies, Indianapolis,
Indiana, 2005.
Marlene Bourne, A Consumer’s Guide to MEMS and Nanotechnology, Scottsdale,
AZ, 2007.
This module is one of a series designed to introduce faculty and high school students to the
basic concepts of nanotechnology. Each module includes a PowerPoint presentation,
discussion questions, and hands-on activities, when applicable.
The series was funded in part by:
The National Science Foundation
Grant DUE-0702976
and the
Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative
Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science
Foundation or the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative.