Editorial

Citation

Stylios, G.K. (2006), "Editorial", International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, Vol. 18 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijcst.2006.05818eaa.001

Editorial

The quest for conquering nanotextiles continues in the international research arena at laboratories of universities and companies. In an earlier report, I highlighted the importance of nano-based membranes, foams and coatings for medical applications. In this editorial, motivated by our own recent research advances, I am going to discuss specifically about nanofibres, especially those made by electrospinning.

But before we get to research lets look at some impressive marketing data[1] which underpins the importance of nanotechnologies in textiles:

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  The total global demand for nanoscale materials, tools and devices was estimated at nearly $7.5 billion in 2003 and is expected to reach $28.7 billion in 2008, at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 30.6 per cent.

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  The nanomaterials segment, with some long-established markets, presently accounts for more than 97 per cent of sales. By 2008, this share will have shrunk to 74.7 per cent.

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  The fastest-growing nanomaterials are nanotubes (with an expected AAGR of 173 per cent) and nanocomposites (76 per cent AAGR).

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  Nanotools will increase their market share to 4.3 per cent in 2008 and nanodevices will have established a major presence with a 21 per cent share.

Nanotextiles are already making inroads in this lucrative and interesting new world with possibilities of applications in self-cleaning, anti-soiling, antimicrobial, tissue engineering scaffolding, vitamin-releasing, anti odor, nanofiltering, etc. In the area of electrospinning efforts of fibre forming by different polymers, orientation of fibres, mixing of substances for hybrid fibres, yarn formation mechanisms, fluid flow studies, making of nanocomposites, are taking place with varying degree of success.

In recent months at the Research Institute for Flexible Materials, RIFleX we have successfully made nanocomposite non-woven mats with average fibre diameter 200-1300nm (Plate 1). These mats are the perfect candidates for effective scaffolding in tissue engineering and for filtration. We have also been able to orient bundles of nylon 6 nanofibres with almost perfect parallel alignment (Plate 2), which enables the spinning of nanoyarns.

Plate 1. Nanocomposite fabric

Plate 2. Nanofibres with parallel orientation

There is substantial interest of nanotextiles in many countries illustrated by the research funded by their respective funding councils. I know that in the next European Union Research Framework FW7 we will have as one of main themes nanotechnologies, maybe with specific reference to nanotextiles; the British Government has had a successful Technology Program through the Department of Trade and Industry on nanotechnologies, nanomaterials and nanoprocesses. Similarly in the USA, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong the same story is repeated with funds earmarked for nanoscience and nanotechnology.

One remarkable aspect about this research area is that there is no lack of company involvement and true interdisciplinarity; textile technologists working with chemists and medical practitioners, for instance, and textile fabric makers working with bio and polymer companies.

I am thinking in organizing a special IJCST issue on nanotextiles for 2007, which will hopefully concentrate the efforts of the community and will debate some of the research issues that slow down important progress in this area. I would, therefore, welcome technical papers and review articles on nanotextiles, which will aim to appear in this special issue.

Please use our dedicated interest group by logging on nanotextiles.net this is a good forum for exchange of ideas, finding out about recent progress and for sharing knowledge with others.

G.K. StyliosEditor-in-Chief

Note1.“Nanotechnology: a realistic market evaluation”, by Andrew McWilliams, March 2004, BCC Research.