New Fabric Technology Could Answer Every Mother's Prayers

Friday 05th of January 2007 09:24:10 PM

New Fabric Technology Could Answer Every Mother's Prayers

A new technology that has been created by scientists who work for the U.S Air Force could soon be revolutionizing the sports apparel industry. This type of fabric is designed to be self-cleaning and is already used in T-Shirts and underwear so that they can be worn for many weeks without the need for washing because they are unhygienic. It cost the U.S. military twenty million dollars to create the fabric by using the research found to help protect soldiers from biological weapons. The fabric is made of nanoparticles that are added to the fabric which create a protective coating; this coating can repel bacteria, oil and water. The bacteria are then killed and liquid runs off the fabric. Soldiers tested the new clothing during the Desert Storm and found that the fabric remained hygienic and that some soldier's skin complaints cleared up. This new technology could make parents lives easier with no more washing of dirty sports kits.

Major sports clothing manufactures are currently in discussion with the license owner of the new technology, Alexium, which is based in London. This fabric could also be used in other areas such as hospitals and cruise ships. Once an agreement has been made between Alexium and a sports clothing apparel manufacture, the new technology could appear in the shops within a year and the additional cost is expected to be only an additional few pounds. Athletes in particular are welcoming the new technology, as it will make running a lot easier particularly for marathon runners. Ottilia Saxl from the Institute of Nanotechnology in Stirling said "This technology could have many applications, not just in the leisure industry. The anti-bacterial properties could be of great use for chefs in kitchens and in hospitals where antibiotic resistance is a big problem."