Technologies of various types have emerged and developed in recent times. Machines, especially textile machines, integrate various types of technologies in them for efficient results. Nanotechnology is one of the most talked about technologies in the world of textile machineries. It involves the use of chemically and biologically superior nano particles to obtain the desired properties in apparels and textiles. Manipulation is done at an atomic and molecular stage.
Nanotechnology as such is applicable in many industries. Engineering, medicine, information and communication, aerospace, automotive, construction, etc. are to name a few. Textiles and textile machineries have also benefited considerably by this technology. It is widely used in textile finishing. There is a complex process behind the making of textiles through nanotechnology. But it is an effective process that serves purpose.
Scientists and chemists all over the world believe that every object in this world is made up of atoms and molecules. Any object that you see around is so because of the arrangement of atoms in it. Atoms, when arranged differently, perform different functions. This technology aims at arranging atoms in a manner that it exhibits different properties. Arranging atoms in one way makes a cloth stain resistant and arranging it in another way makes it water repellent.
The textile industry makes use of this technology mostly in order to make sports' textiles. Clothes that develop comparatively lesser wrinkles, soaks sweat, and maintains the body temperature during intense physical activity can be made using this technology. Sheet of atoms arranged in a manner that it exhibits the above properties are coated on the sporting garment. This way the garment performs the required functions.
Other than sports garments, it is also used to engulf various qualities in other textiles used in day to day life. It can be used to make the piece of cloth fire resistant, germ resistant, self cleaning, ultraviolet protective, etc. It is generally used to give the piece a proper finishing in the textile industry. Materials and machines are rearranged on a nano level (less than 100 nanometers) to give the garment the desired properties. It is also used in the production of fibers and yarn.
Textile finishing industry makes the most use of this technology in the textile sector. Coatings that contain nano particles are done on the garment. These particles have properties that make the garment different from the rest. They are fixed to the piece of garment with the help of polymers. Sol-gel is another process of finishing the production of garments with the help of nano particles. Textiles dressed with nano particles can be found easily in market.
Textile machinery manufacturers find the idea of having machines integrated with this technology innovative. Machines equipped with this technology can also be used to make 'smart textiles', i.e. textiles that accomplish a specific task. These textiles sense the environment and exhibit properties in accordance. USA dominates the world of nanotechnology, currently. But emerging economies like India, Brazil, and Korea invest heavily in its research and analysis.
It cannot be denied that nanotechnology in textile industry is at its developing stages, at present. There is still a long way to go for the same. This is the reason that it is expensive. It is not easy to manufacture textiles or give it a proper finishing with the use of this technology. Manpower skilled in this technique is hard to find. Since use of this technology in itself is expensive, the products making its use during manufacture, automatically, becomes expensive.
Concrete evidence stating the possible dangers of this technology on environment has not been obtained. But in order to leave no room for doubt, a new concept called 'Green Nanotechnology' is picking up pace in the textile industry. It is believed to be 100 percent environment friendly. But awareness about this concept is somewhat limited in the society.
Green nanotechnology consists of two vital concepts:
It can refer to the process of making the fabrics made with the help of nanotechnology sustainable. Garments that are coated with a sheet of manipulated atoms and molecules need not always be environment friendly. Green nanotechnology ensures that no harm is done to the environment at any point of time.
- It can also refer to using this technology to provide sustainability to garments that are not actually sustainable. For example, nano particles of iron can be mixed with tetrachloroethene (a chemical used for dry cleaning) to produce a moderate ethene that is environment friendly. This manipulation at an atomic and molecular level can make a considerable difference in its overall properties.
Nanotechnology is widely used in the production of drugs to cure diseases. No incidents of it causing harm to human health in anyway have been reported as till now. But over-exposure to nano particles in clothes is not advisable health-wise. Since they are extremely small in size, they can easily penetrate into the body. Its impacts on health depend on the structure and arrangement of nano particles in the piece of clothing. It might or might not have ill-effects on health.
'Waste'
in the textile industry has always remained a matter of concern. Textile waste
has been labeled as a blow to the environment by environmentalists. But
nanotechnology leaves no residue behind. There will hardly be any waste during
the entire process. No carbon dioxide is emitted during the process. This in a
way is good for the environment. The integration of this technology in textile
machines has such benefits.
A bonus point for nanotechnology in textile industry is that its use gives paramount strength to the garment. A sheet of nano particles is fixed on top of the garment. This protects the garment from easy wear and tear. It makes the garment durable because of which the garment lasts long. Nano particles have a large area-to-volume ratio and high surface energy. This gives better affinity to fabrics. Consumers can profit by wearing garments that make use of this technology.
As it provides immense strength to the material and also gives it special properties, this technology is immensely used in protective textiles. Nano particles can be arranged over the piece of cloth to form a coating that can prevent flames. This can also be used to integrate properties such as stain repellence, ultraviolet protection, wrinkle resistance, water repellence, anti bacterial properties, and several others. Garments made with the use of this technology offer some or the other type of protection.
Nanotechnology is used by various industries. Inside the textile sector, this technology is again used in many areas like textile manufacturing, textile finishing, etc. It is used by companies all over the world. But its use in various geographical areas can be segmented, as it is an emerging technology. Germany, France, and Italy, the market leaders of textile machines, make use of this technology in large parts. Its use in developed economies is also considerable. But it is used less in machineries made from developing economies.
Nanotechnology will continue to evolve in the coming years. It will develop as to perform various other tasks efficiently. There is an increasing awareness about this technology in the market. It is expected to rule the textile machinery industry. It will give more strength and durability to textiles and also make them serve various purposes. Machineries integrated with this technology are in immense demand in modern times.
References:
- Nano.org.uk
- Indiantextilejournal.com
- Engines of Creation
- Exzellenz.nrw.de
- Bccresearch.com
- Reportlinker.com
- Wikipedia.org
- Freewebs.com
Comments