[nanoPost] Surface modification of textiles

Technology 1: Use of Electrospun Nanofibres for Aerosol Filtration in Textile Structures

Researchers looking at electroextruded nanofibres onto melt blown elastic liner fabrics, evaluated the effects of uniaxial and biaxial deformation on their filtration and flow properties, and applied elastic and nonelastic nylon nanofibres to the surface of chemical protective fabrics to measure the effects of nanofibre thickness on aerosol filtration efficiency in the unstrained state. The aerosol filtration capacity of the elastic liner decreased as strain increased.

Biaxial strain tests of melt blown elastomeric and knit spandex fabrics with electroextruded membranes indicated that air flow resistance decreased as pores opened due to increasing strain. Pore size correlated with air flow resistance. Electroextruded nanofibre coatings applied to open cell foam and Saratoga carbon bead fabrics yielded aerosol filtration efficiencies of 99.9 percent and improved air flow resistance by a factor of 10.   

Technology 2: Multi component controlled delivery system for fabric care products    

Improved controlled delivery system that can be incorporated in dry granular, or powder, fabric care products, such as laundry detergents, tumble dryer sheets, rinse added products, and other fabric care products, to enhance fragrance performance. The controlled delivery system of the present invention comprises substantially free-flowing, powder formed of solid hydrophobic , positively charged, nano-spheres of encapsulated active ingredients, such as a fragrance, that are encapsulated in a moisture sensitive micro-spheres, solid spheres. The high cationic charge density of the nano-sphere improves fragrance deposition onto the laundered fabric.

The high cationic charge density on the nano-sphere surface is created by incorporating a cationic fabric conditioning agent into the solid hydrophobic matrix of the nano-spheres, by incorporating a cationic charge booster in the water sensitive micro-sphere matrix, or by using a cationic fabric conditioning agent in the nano-sphere matrix in conjunction with a cationic charge booster in the micro-sphere matrix. The fragrance carrier system also provides controlled release or prolonged fragrance release from the dry laundered fabric over an extended period of time, or yields a high impact fragrance burst upon ironing the fabric. The invention also pertains to fabric care products comprising the controlled release system of the present invention.