Another industry that will be affected by nanotechnology is the textile industry. Nowadays, many companies are trying to make smart fabrics that change their properties according to the environmental conditions and even take care of the vital signs of the body. These days, there are nanotechnology-based fabrics on the world market that are highly resistant to water, and crinkle. For example, the fabrics of the Swiss textile industry are waterproof and stain-resistant, and the grease on them disappears spontaneously.
These fabrics are inspired by nature and produced by nanotechnology. The leaves of some plants (such as lotus, beetle skin, and insect wings) remain always clean because extremely small roughness on their surfaces prevents dust particles from adhering to these surfaces and clears the slightest precipitation on their surface. With the use of nanotechnology in fabrics, a special three-dimensional structure is created on the surfaces and the contact surface is limited to dust particles. The particles remaining on the surface suspended in water droplets and easily removed by these droplets.
Some nanotechnology professionals are currently working on intelligent materials and fabrics that can repair their tears. The essence of this work is based on substances that can show different reactions based on the light they receive. At present, this is only for natural materials, and artificial or synthetic systems do not have this capability. For this reason, nanotechnologists intend to imitate some living organisms, such as some fish and other marine organisms such as octopus.
Usage of Clay Nano particles
Clay Nano particles are among the materials that have attracted the attention of researchers from the early days of the nanotechnology project because of their amazing properties. These Nano particles have different usages in textile industry. One of these usages is covering the fabric fibers and surfaces with clay Nano particles. Covering the fabrics with clay Nano particles will make them highly resistant to fire and flame. Using these Nano particles to cover firefighters and people's wearing, who are exposed to fire, can be very helpful in reducing the risk of fire. There are now companies in Iran that have the ability to cover fabric fibers with clay Nano particles.
Nano Solution
This solution is easily applicable to all kinds of fabrics and does not alter the color and shape of the fabric and it is very useful and economical in textile industry. In addition to leading to the hydrophobicity of the fabric, it also prevents the fabric from staining. Using the latest nanotechnology, human beings are able to produce fabrics that never get dirty, and no contamination found on them. Interestingly, if the fabric is wrinkled, all wrinkles are removed with a single shake. Nanotechnology has made some changes to the properties of the fabric molecules, so that the molecules make the fabric never get dirty ,and as a result the fabric of these molecules will have all the properties of these molecules.
Usage of Nanotechnology in Textile Industry
Nanotechnology can also make textiles smarter and more efficient. Due to the connection of nanotechnology products with characteristics such as optical, heat, flexibility, etc., many textiles can benefit from nanotechnology. In modern textile industry, in addition to strength properties, other properties such as absorption, passage or disposal of materials have also been employed. Such products are called smart textiles. The word smart is not always used correctly. Smart clothes are not clothes that will either make you tea or read a book. Smart clothes have a special ability. For example, elastic yarns can be smart because of their extraordinary elasticity; they can be stretched over and over and retain their elasticity. These yarns enter the clothes and make the clothes elastic.
In fact, smart textiles are those textiles that can keep us warm in the cold and cool in the hot weather or make us feel comfortable. They can contain semiconductors of electronic devices or show a special color effect. Many smart textiles are used in all types of clothes and are intended for safety, health or comfort.
The development of smart military textiles is also very important. Clothes that protects the body in harsh conditions or clothes that change color are among the top military usages. Clothes that absorb perspiration are also smart because they make clothing comfortable under certain conditions. In such clothes, the cross-section of the fibers and their absorption are important.
Anti-stain Clothes
The global need for clothes that do not require taking care of them, is increasing. One of the properties that may be needed to reach this goal is the stain and water repellency. By using nanotechnology in fabric production or completion, liquid droplets cannot penetrate into fluid-resistant fabrics. This effect is similar to the effect of blue gladiola or lilac leaves covered with about one nanometer of a waxy layer. In this flower, the droplets of water on the leaves become small grains, and by slipping on the surface they carry pollution and dust.
Nano-abundant molecules can also absorb or move fluids, and remove stains and contamination. This property can be applied to cotton or polymer-cotton fabrics for removing stains in-house applications such as tomato sauce, coffee, grass, or oil stains, while maintaining the ability of breathing of the fabric. This process is ideal for baby clothing, sportswear or uniforms.
Moreover, a few other uses of nanotechnology: Nanotechnology acts as a protective layer and eliminates the stain and dirt of all kinds of sauces, tea, drinks and more. Nano in the fabric helps us not to worry about the stains on our clothes. It is actually a protective layer that does not let the dirt get deep into the fabric and is easily wiped off. It is also used in sofa and chair fabrics. Due to a protective layer, air flows through it and therefore does it not smell.
