Thinking small...
Nanotechnology may be revolutionising the world of electronics but as Assia Benmedjdoub discovers, it might also be the new "black" when it comes to fashion.
The uninitiated call them "smart yarns". To the rest of us, they're known as nano-fabrics.
But while it's no revelation that science and textiles have enjoyed a long and formidable relationship, experts say the ties are set to strengthen even further with the continuing breakthroughs in this radical new form of technology.
After a prolific year in 2005, when smart yarns were employed by major national and international labels such as Hugo Boss, Paul Stuart, Rene Lezard and even workwear giant King Gee, the technology has already showcased its potential as a commercial powerhouse. In fact Carla Gerbo, the director of business relations at the Centre for Business, believes the economical value of nano-fabrics is geared to boom.
"In any language, global market penetration valued at between $US1 to $2.6 trillion ($A1.3 to $3.5 trillion) by 2015 is phenomenal," she projects. "Add to that a generation of 10 million jobs and it equals a nanotechnology revolution. The not-so-good news is that it will require patience, education, funding and a lot of good old fashion hard work to get there."
Among the research institutions pioneering the expansion of nano-textiles within Australia is the Centre for Materials and Fibre Innovation which is exploring its capabilities through electrospinning; a complex process which allows scientists to incorporate nano-scale fibres with conventional materials such as polyester and nylon.
By producing these fibres on a nano-scale (a nano-metre is one-millionth of a millimetre or one ten-thousandth the breadth of a single strand of hair), researchers say the fabrics are embedded with added functionality such as heat, fade, water and stain resistance. And, according to its chief professor, Xungai Wang, the potential to push the scope of these is limitless.
"The interesting thing about textiles is that many consider it will be amongst the early adopters of nanotechnology. We can impart zinc oxide nano-particles into fabrics such as polyester which in turn, provides it with sun protection capabilities; hydrophobic finishes can ensure that shirts and trousers don't get stained easily by spills and silver nano-particles can offer anti-microbial effects," he explains.
"What we're still trying to do is gain a better understanding of how nano-scale materials interact with textiles and the unique properties that can be obtained from them."
Despite the need for greater development and research, Gerbo believes the technology is already providing significant dividends for consumers of sports and workwear apparel.
"Clothing has already been enhanced by nano-fabrics," she explains. "Silver nano-particles embedded into socks is assisting feet health by fighting infection and odour. Not a big deal, you might think, but this will pay dividends through less sick leave and potentially reduced workcover premiums for companies with employees on long shifts in humid conditions.
"It's also great for sportsmen like rugby players. When they're playing in wet weather conditions, the material will ensure that the water sheets off rather than absorbs which in turn, keeps them warm."
While water-repellency fabrics have been on the market from some years, Queensland state manager for Future Materials, Dr Peter Kambouris, believes nano-fabrics have a distinct advantage over traditional fibres.
"Fabrics like gortex have been able to provide water repellency in the past but the feel of it can be uncomfortable and almost plastic. Nanotex feels just like normal fabric and gives off a nice sensation."
It's this versatility that has national fabric manufacturers cashing in on its potential to drive sales. Charles Parsons, for one, is in the preliminary stages of expanding its selection of nano-fabrics from an indent basis to a full stock basis. Working in conjunction with their fully accredited laboratory, the company's active/corporate division representative, Aaron Pryde, believes the fabrics are critical to producing better quality clothing.
"We see it as a way of the future and something that can really add value and a point of difference to our customer base," he adds. "At the moment, there are a lot of coatings available on the market that offer similar benefits to nano-yarns but we're working towards the next generation of technology where the quality is not in the coating but in the yarns.
"It's something completely different in the yarn structure and it's going to provide our consumers with better quality, longer lasting fabrics."
Although the cost of nano-fabrics is more expensive - Pryde says that while a standard shirt would cost $6.00 for example, a nano-textile shirt would cost $8.00 - the steady uptake of the fabric suggests clothing manufacturers are willing to pay.
Since utilising stain-resistant nano-fabrics 12 months ago, King Gee workwear for example, has recorded a positive response from their consumers. In fact, according to corporate product manager Duncan St Baker, the sales of the corporate chino range is set to overtake sales on the previous line in 2007.
"One of the greatest benefits is that clothing will look better and more presentable longer," he explains. "The technical benefit is the extended durability of this treatment meaning greater longevity in spill resistance when compared to conventional ones. Also comfort is not compromised because the treatment does not hinder the natural feel or handle of the garment."
Like Pryde, Baker believes nano-fabrics can provide the same benefits without hindering the feel or breathability of the fabric - unlike traditional coatings, which can wash or wear away over time.
"Because the chemicals used are on a nano-scale, the KingGee garments treated with Nanotex resist spills achieve greater durability without sacrificing the natural feel and breathability of the fabric, meaning greater customer satisfaction."
Although the technology is currently only utilised in a selection of the company's drill jackets, uniform contracts and corporate chinos range (which includes a uni-sex jacket, men's single pleat pant, men's single pleat short, women's single pleat pant and short and a women's skirt), King Gee is looking to expand it into other ranges.
"Nanotex has brought a greater level of customer satisfaction among our consumers as the garments we provide them are stress-free and easy-to-care-for, giving them the confidence and piece of mind knowing that their clothing will protect them from the unexpected mishaps in their workplace," he says. "Although currently we are only using these treatments in a small range of garments, we are looking at further applications to other garments in the KingGee range where appropriate."
Operating like many of the nano-fabric treatments currently available on the commercial market, the Nanotex treatment used by King Gee is made up of billions of tiny waterproof fibres (each around 10 nano-metres long) which are then embedded into traditional workwear fabrics like cotton. Because these increase the density of the fabric, there is increased surface tension on the outer layer of the material, meaning water and stains sheet off rather than absorb.
While the cost of the treatments varies depending on which nano-particles are used, Baker believes the benefits of the fabric outweigh the costs.
And according to retail experts, these benefits may just be enough to push the technology to a widespread, mainstream market. Dr Kambouris, for one, believes because the treatments can be applied to standard fabrics, the potential for commercial growth is enormous.
"If King Gee is getting into it, it has to be," he says. "Countries that demonstrate the highest level of innovation and capture the most value from nanotech progress will exert a significant level of influence on the global economic and political landscape.
"There's already a growing interest in the technology in Australia because it's doing things that have never been done before. The fabrics feel normal, comfortable and of course, there's the added functions they provide."
But unlike Kambouris, not all industry practitioners are so optimistic. The director of fabric manufacturing company Standard Universal Group, Carol Crawford, believes the fabrics are still appealing to small, niche markets who provide high-risk professions with anti-microbial and fire retardancy options.
"I think nano-textiles are a great idea, whether they take off for the majority of the population is another question. They are more likely to be seen in use for extreme sports or in professions where products must meet certain criteria like in hospitals or for fire fighters or defence workers.
"The education of the end-user will be important for nano-textiles to increase in exposure in the marketplace - they have to understand why that top or pant or whatever costs substantially more than a garment without the 'nano' treatment. As research and development grow, so too does the development of nano-textile technology."
While Gerbo believes nano-fabrics have the capability to drive the national textile market, she also believes there is still significant room for more improvements and research.
"The good news is that for those who understand nano's applicability [also] recognise the economic projections are in the ballpark and know that nano will deliver," she explains. "It's not about
Breakout box (see page 11 of april 7 edition as example):
What is nanotechnology?
It's a form of technology that allows manufacturers to engineer materials on an extremely small scale.
What is a nano-metre?
A nano-metre is one-millionth of a millimetre, that's one ten-thousandth the breadth of a single strand of hair.
:What's it used for?
There is considerable interest in nanotechnology in all areas of science and technology, not just textiles. Because properties of materials are different at the nano-scale, it can offer new ways to engineer clothing and electronics. Nano-textiles can offer heat, fade, water and stain resistance as well as UV protection qualities.
Is there a market for it in textiles?
Nanotechnology business consultancy arm, Cientifica, predicts "the market for textiles making use of nanotechnology will reach $US13.6 billion ($A18.3 billion) by 2007 and expand to $US115 billion ($A154.7 billion) by 2012".
What do the experts think?
"I'm not sure about it becoming mainstream but nano-treated textiles are already on the market". Professor Xungai Wang, Centre for Materials and Fibre Innovation.
"If King Gee is getting into it, it has to be." Dr Peter Kambouris, Future Materials Queensland.
"In any language, global market penetration valued at between $US1 to $2.6 trillion ($A1.3 to $3.5 trillion) by 2015 is phenomenal." Carla Gerbo, Centre for Business.