Smart fabrics could repel bacteria, viruses
Nicole Grospe '07, left, and Andrea Clark '07 model clothing designed by Olivia Ong '07, at the Cornell Design League fashion show. The dress and jacket contain nanoparticles with antibacterial and air-purifying qualities. Image from Cornell University Chronicle Online. (c) Michael Grace-Martin.
Scientists are using nanotechnology to develop “smart textiles” that could help keep you healthier.
These fabrics are coated with invisibly tiny nanoparticles. Juan Hinestroza of Cornell University pioneered a process to treat cotton with electrically–charged, nano–sized particles of silver and other metals. First, he creates a solution of silver particles suspended in citric acid. The acid creates a layer of negative charges on the silver. Then he takes cotton fabric and treats it with ammonia compounds so that the cotton becomes positively charged. The negative charges on the nano–sized silver particles are attracted to the positive charges on the cotton.
A fashion designer teamed up with Dr. Hinestroza’s lab to create a silver–coated nano–dress they say can deactivate many bacteria and viruses. As scientists improve their ability to manipulate nanoparticles, Hinestroza predicts that nano–engineered clothes could one day act as environmental sensors for people with allergies, or could monitor a person’s vital signs and even transmit a call for help in case of an emergency.
This could mean that someday a glittering gown could be the height of both glamour and practicality.
Thanks to the National Science Foundation.
Our thanks to:
Juan P. Hinestroza, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Fiber Science Program
Department of Textiles and Apparel
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
Forget the glittering gown, how much for the nanotech gold leggings?!
It kind of reminds me of that scene in Goldfinger.
Maybe soon we can really ‘dress well’!
i just want clothes that wash themselves
Is this “process to treat cotton with electrically-charged, nano-sized particles of silver and other metals” non-allergic for people with metal related allergies, ie: nickle?
Can these materials be worn by those who are allergic to citric acid?
What’s wrong w/ bamboo cloth? I don’t want appliqued nano particles on my clothes… Science is cool and so is this, but it sounds ridiculous.