Techtextil 2013 showcases innovative ideas for new applications Just in terms of their applications in medicine, pharmaceuticals and medical technology alone, predictions are for double-digit growth. But nanotechnology has enormous potential for applications in the textile sector too. The possible range of applications is as large as that of the textiles themselves. Be it in medical technology, filter technology, functional apparel or automotive construction, well-known exhibitors at Techtextil will, from 11 to 13 June 2013, be showcasing the many and varied areas of application for this innovative technology in Frankfurt am Main.

In Germany, the topic forms an increasingly important focus for the work of the major textile research institutes. For the textile sector has also recognised the potential for nanotechnology. Apparel textiles, with dirt- and water-resistant nano finishes, are already widespread, especially in sports and outdoor wear. Textiles with anti-bacterial qualities, based on the use of silver nanoparticles, have also found their way onto the market. Moreover, rapidly advancing research is opening new horizons all the time.

The anti-bacterial textiles we are talking about are optimised for use in the healthcare sector – as a weapon in the fight against the spread of antibiotic-resistant germs. Other possibilities for medical applications of nano textiles include surgical bandages that can be removed without leaving any residual traces. These can be made from a nonwoven fabric of bio-compatible nanofibre or in the form of sticking plasters that imitate the well-known technique that a gecko's foot uses to cling on. At the Institute for Textile Machinery and High-Performance Materials Technology at the Technical University of Dresden, (Institut für Textilmaschinen und Textile Hochleistungswerkstofftechnik,TU Dresden) nanofibres made of biopolymers are formed into nonwoven fabric, which are due to come into use in regenerative medicine as so-called 'scaffolds'. These form a structural basis for the cultivation of cells with the aim of creating artificial tissue that can be used for implant purposes. Nonwovens made with nanofibres can also be used in filter technology; both when filtering the ambient air in buildings and for filtering liquids. They are capable of retaining even the smallest particles, right down to nanoparticles.

Doctors are agreed that clothing with a high level of UV protection can significantly reduce the risk of skin cancer. Here, too, nanotechnology offers a variety of approaches to solutions. Textile coatings containing nanoparticles of titanium oxide or zinc oxide have, thanks to their huge total surface area, an enormous ability to absorb ultraviolet radiation. At the North West German Textile Research Centre (Deutsches Textilforschungszentrum Nord-West) sol-gel coatings, based on nano-sized zinc oxide particles, have been developed and can be applied using conventional methods such as dipping and spraying. The completely wash-resistant layer not only significantly improves UV protection, it also improves resistance to abrasion, whilst having virtually no effect on the degree of whiteness of the fabric.