SLIDE 3

NANOTECHNOLOGY
Nanotechnology involves the understanding and control of matter at the
nanometer- scale.
It refers to the construction and engineering of the functional systems at very
micro level or atomic level to create smaller, cheaper, lighter, and faster devices
that can do more things with less raw materials.
HOW SMALL IS NANO?
The so-called nanoscale deals with dimensions between approximately 10 and
100 nanometres (which is clearly evident from this pic). A nanometre is an
extremely small unit of length – a billionth (10 ^ -9) of a meter, according to the
International System of Units.
Like a single human hair is about 80,000 to 100,000 (one hundred thousand) nm
wide.

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NANOTECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS
Nanotechnology is the emerging revolution having great potential in every
sector such as:
Energy storage, defense and security, metallurgy and materials, electronics,
optical engineering and communication, biomedical and drug delivery,
agriculture and food, cosmetics and paints, biotechnology, and textiles as well.
The major recent advancements of nanoscience and nanotechnology includes
the innovations in nanofood, nano sensors in textiles, nano packaging, nano
fertilizers, and nano pesticides in agriculture.

SLIDE 5

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN TEXTILES: INTRODUCTION

Nanotechnology changed the world of consumer textiles. Textile based
nanoproducts are starting from nanocomposite fibers, and now nanoparticles are
successfully being used in conventional textiles to impart new functionality and
improved performance.
Also new coting techniques are applied such as follows which develop multi-
functionality and weather resistance to fabrics:
• Sol-Gel: Method of producing solid materials from small
molecules. It is a wet- chemical technique that uses colloidal
particles (sol for nanoscale particle) to produce an integrated
network (gel).
• Layer by Layer Method: Layer by layer self-assembly is an
emerging discipline of nanotechnology where the objects, devices
and various systems with varying structures are formed without
externally applied prodding.
• Plasma Polymerization Method: This method involves the
formation of a high molecular weight polymer from its monomers
through activation by an energetic plasma species. Non- thermal
atmospheric pressure plasmas generated at atmospheric conditions
can be utilized for the synthesis of nanomaterials.

SLIDE 7
NANO WHISKERS
DIFFERENT STRUCTURES OF NANO PARTICLES
There are 3 different structures of nanoparticles on the fibres:
• Nano- Whiskers
• Nano-Net
• Nano- Wrap
A whisker is a single crystal in the form of a fibre, possessing shorter lengths
compared to conventional fibres. The value addition to the fabric due to nano-
whiskers is:
 Makes it stained and water-resistant (
 Produces breathable fabrics.
 The more-over whiskers give oil repellence, super durability, and natural
wrinkle resistance.

SLIDE 8

NANO NET
The nano net completely covers fibers on the scale of nano meters. These inject
linen property in synthetic fibers. Thus, the value additions are like
 Injects the absorbency property of linen in polyester fibers.
 It also alters the synthetic fibers to give a feel of cotton and linen that
absorbs the body moisture and gives cooling effect.
 Also, value addition like wicking body moisture fast, drying quickly etc.

SLIDE 9
NANO WRAP
Here the nano sheet wraps the fiber completely to cover it and alter its property.
The following are the value additions on the fabric due to nano-wrap:
• It makes the fabric string and durable.
• It also improves the color fastness, crease retention and static resistance.
 SLIDE 10
NANOMATERIALS USED IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY
The following are some examples of the most common types of nano- enhanced
fiber. All of them are composites of a conventional natural or synthetic fiber
with nanoparticles to improve the performance or do value addition to the
properties of the fabric:

Recently, there are also nano products like nano tax, nanosphere and nano pel
which also impart properties to the fabric such as
 SLIDE 11

NANOTECHNOLOGY USED ON TEXTILES

 SWIMMING SUIT: The shark- skin suit worn during Olympic swimming
championship. The suit includes a plasma layer enhanced by
nanotechnology is designed allowing the swimmer to glide through the
water.
 HUNTING CLOTHES: Hunting clothes use nanotechnology to cover
scent.
 FACE MASKS: Light exposure can be used to kill bacteria and viruses
on face masks developed with nanotechnology.

SLIDE 12
Nanotechnology is also used on E-textiles mostly for military purposes in their
uniform, nano medic wear, invisible cloak, gps tracking etc. The following is a
flow chart depicting the working of these E-textiles:

Smart/ interactive textiles (SIT) are materials and structures that sense with the
help of sensors inbuilt on then with the help of nanotechnology, which provide a
nerve system to detect the signals. The processor in it analyzes and evaluates the
signals received. And the actuators react/ give response or action to these
detected and evaluated signals from the central control unit.

SLIDE 13
MILITARY UNIFORMS
Through several innovations with smart textiles, nanotechnology enabled
apparel for military purposes that are:
 • Light weight bullet-proof vests/ body armor and ballistic glass with
certain special characteristics like high mechanical strength, light- weight,
hydrophobic, antimicrobial, and anti- ballistic.
• Uniforms that is color adaptive to match the environment and anti-
wrinkle.
• And textiles that can minimize accidents, injuries and infections.
• Nanotube fibers make a material seventeen times tougher than the Kevlar.
MILITARY UNIFORMS: AN INVISIBLE CLOAK
Scientists are manipulating light (blending light) by working on quantum stealth
camouflage, so soldiers seem to disappear. Nanotechnology invisibility cloak
for the military hyper stealth technology is already being tested for sniper
coverage now.

SLIDE 14
MILITARY UNIFORMS: NANO MEDIC
In addition, the sensors on these garments would provide the soldiers vital signs
and location to medics via radio. Until the new nano-sensor garment is ready,
the soldiers will wear an adhesive chest patch fitted with sensors and a tiny
radio.
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS: GPS TRACKING
Users exact location can be detected as the textiles are integrated with sensory
devices driven by a GPS. nteractive electronic textiles with integrated GPS
enhance safety by quickly locating the wearer and allowing the suit to be
heated.
GPS can provide added safety for firefighters and emergency personnel by
facilitating offsite monitoring vitals.

SLIDE 15

WARNING SIGNALING
A warning signal is to be displayed or sent by a combination of sensors and
small Flexible Light Emitting Displays (FLED) which receive and respond to
stimuli from the body.
The sensors can monitor heart rate, respiration, and temperature.
A FLED would automatically display if vital signals were below critical values.
For example, a flashing red light and a wireless communication system could
send a distress signal to a remote location.
APPLICATIONS

So, we can say nanotechnology also has real commercial potential for the textile
industry. Increasing customer demand for durable and functional apparel
manufactures in a sustainable manner has created an opportunity for
nanomaterials to be integrated into textile substrates such as
 In protective clothing, PPE with improved chemical or heat resistance.
 Medical Fabrics, camouflage and tents, climate control garments.
 Also, sportswear with improved properties.
 Electronic textiles
 Military and combat outfits, such as flexible body armour
 Jackets, gloves etc i.e., providing wearable electronics or nanoelectronics
at the tip of the gloved finger.
 Also, active and casual wear etc.
NOTE:

 Medicals:
o Medical textiles with silver nanoparticles.
o Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) with improved chemical or
heat resistance.
o Nano-engineered fabrics are also used in medical testings.
 Sports fabrics with improved properties.
 Military textiles, such as flexible body armour.
 Wearable electronics& nanoelectronics at the tip of the gloved finger.
 Fashion and entertainment:
o Electronic devices and components clothes turning to portable
appliances.
o Light-emitting fabrics indicate technical garments for future
design.

So, we can say nanotechnology also has real commercial potential for the textile
industry. Increasing customer demand for durable and functional apparel
manufactures in a sustainable manner has created an opportunity for
nanomaterials to be integrated into textile substrates such as
 In protective clothing, PPE with improved chemical or heat resistance.
 Medical Fabrics, camouflage and tents, climate control garments.
 Also sports wear with improved properties.
 Electronic textiles
 Military and combat outfits, such as flexible body armour
 Jackets, gloves etc i.e. providing wearable electronics or nanoelectronics
at the tip of the gloved finger.
 Also active and casual wear etc.