Licensing opportunity
Researchers at the Politecnico di Milano, Italy, led by Professor Anna Facibeni, have invented a novel processing method that allows metalic nanopartyicles and metallic oxides to be nucleated on surfaces such as textiles by means of colloidal synthesis. They are now looking for companies to license the method.
The process makes it possible to superimpose nanoparticles on a range of fibres and fabrics in order to impart to thesubstrates a range of new properties – for example, anibacterial, UV absorbing, or photocatalysis.
Industrial applications in textiles could include the treatment of atopic dermatitis, say the researchers, or cutting down odours by reducing the number of germs, or the self cleaning of modified textiles by titanium dioxide.