Innovations in Technical Textiles

• Publication date: July 2009

Rayonier has developed a highly absorbent cross-linked cellulose fibre for use in incontinence garments, Weyerhaeuser has patented an economical biodegradable superabsorbent fibre, and SRI International has a range of novel biodegradable polyolefin copolymers. Hills has a method for forming ultra-fine spunbond fibres for fabrics and nonwovens. Autoliv has developed an improved airbag to protect vehicle occupants, and Johnson Controls has a novel ...

Rayonier has developed a highly absorbent cross-linked cellulose fibre for use in incontinence garments, Weyerhaeuser has patented an economical biodegradable superabsorbent fibre, and SRI International has a range of novel biodegradable polyolefin copolymers. Hills has a method for forming ultra-fine spunbond fibres for fabrics and nonwovens. Autoliv has developed an improved airbag to protect vehicle occupants, and Johnson Controls has a novel idea for integrating a seamed textile airbag into car seats. Coroplast Fritz Müller has patented a needlepunched nonwoven adhesive tape for taping cable looms in car engines, and Triosyn Holding has a novel electrostatic nonwoven filter designed to kill entrapped micro-organisms.
In the area of personal protection, a new laminate for face masks protects against toxic materials
while Milliken and SSM Industries have each developed improved flame resistant fabrics for protective
clothing. Innovative Textiles has a high visibility flame resistant textile employing modacrylic fibres
while a flame resistant nonwoven composite fabric which is both durable and economic has been
developed by another inventor for military combat garments. An exciting development at the University of Zürich provides extremely water-repellent clothing, including swimwear, by coating polyester fibres with silicone nanofilaments. MMI-IPCO’s unitary thermal fabrics provide variable insulation over different areas of the body by using phase change or biomimetic materials.
Researchers at William Marsh Rice University have devised an ingenious single-step process for
converting carbon nanotubes to macroscopic carbon fibres for composites and electrical connectors.
Textronics has produced composite yarns for smart textiles which can conduct electrical, optical,
magnetic or thermal energy. Thermal Solutions offers heated clothing controlled by a wireless sensor,
and Dhama Apparel Innovations has a sophisticated method for heating or cooling apparel using a
thermoelectric device and evaporative cooling.
A new system for illuminating outer clothing for safety purposes has been invented, while 3M has an
improved fluorochemical dirt-repellent treatment for carpets and medical nonwovens. Other textile
treatments include a polyacrylate treatment from Nano-Tex which renders synthetic fibres hydrophilic
and provides greater comfort. Kimberly-Clark has a new method of improving the exhaustion of dyes
on to cellulosic fibres using a polyvinylamine link between dye and fibre. The method also improves fibre properties. G&K Services has developed an updated method for inspecting sanitised garments used in the food industry.

Clothing And Textile Industry in the United States

SUMMARY
FIBRES AND POLYMERS FOR ABSORBENT PRODUCTS
Rayonier has patented a new method of producing chemically cross-linked cellulose fibres for
absorbent products
The Rayonier process
Weyerhaeuser has patented a biodegradeable superabsorbent fibre
SRI International has developed polyolefin copolymers which are suitable for use in biodegradable
textiles
CARBON FIBRES
University researchers have developed a single-step method for producing carbon fibres from carbon
nanotubes
Uses of single-walled carbon nanotube macrofibres
Advantages of single-walled carbon nanotubes
Alternative ways of producing carbon nanotubes
The William Marsh Rice University invention
Further details
ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE YARNS
Textronics has developed energy active composite yarns incorporating planar filaments
Existing types of electrically conductive textiles
The Textronics development
Formation of the functional filament
NONWOVENS
Hills has patented a method for producing ultra-fine fibres and webs using a spunbond process
The process
TECHNICAL TEXTILES FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS
Autoliv has developed an improved automotive airbag
Conventional airbag designs
The Autoliv development
Johnson Controls has developed a seamed textile sheet material for airbags
Coroplast Fritz Müller has developed a technical nonwoven adhesive tape for cable looms in car
engines
TECHNICAL TEXTILES FOR FILTRATION
Triosyn Holding has patented an electrostatically charged nonwoven filter medium which can eradicate
micro-organisms
PROTECTIVE FABRICS
A durable flame resistant nonwoven composite fabric for military use has been developed in the USA
Further details
UK researchers have developed a barrier for face masks which provides protection from toxic materials
Milliken has developed a new flame resistant apparel fabric
SSM Industries has developed a more comfortable high performance flame resistant apparel fabric for
use by the military, police and fire-fighters
Innovative Textiles has developed a flame resistant high visibility textile for safety apparel
WATER-REPELLENT TEXTILES
A water-repellent clothing fabric which "never gets wet" has been developed using nanotechnology
THERMALLY INSULATING TEXTILES
MMI-IPCO has developed single layer thermal fabrics for garments and upholstery which vary the
degree of insulation over different areas of the body
MMI-IPCO's development
TEMPERATURE REGULATING CLOTHING
Thermal Solutions has developed inductively heated clothing controlled by a wireless sensor
Dhama Apparel Innovations has patented a method for heating or cooling apparel
ILLUMINATED CLOTHING
Improved switch for illuminated clothing, footwear and backpacks
DIRT REPELLENT TREATMENTS
3M has developed a dirt repellent treatment for use on carpets and medical nonwovens which are made
from melt spun fibres
HYDROPHILIC TREATMENTS
Hydrophilic finish for fibrous substrates from Nano-Tex
The method
IMPROVED DYE AFFINITY TREATMENTS
Kimberly-Clark has developed a new method for improving the dyeing of cellulose materials
The chemistry
WORKWEAR SANITISATION TREATMENTS
G&K Services, based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA, has developed a method for inspecting
sanitised garments used in the food processing industries
Details of the procedure