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Nanotechnology - Suggested answers

  1. Justify why the Nanotex shirt is an example of a textile innovation.
    Textiles innovation refers to product innovation, i.e. the development of new products to address existing or unidentified consumer demand.
    The Nanotex shirt is an example of a textile innovation because this revolutionary technology is being used to create, alter and improve existing fibres like cotton to innovate intelligent fabrics, e.g. consumers continuing to use cotton as the principle fibre for business shirts with the enhanced properties created by the nanotech finish.

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  2. Compare and contrast the properties of a 100% cotton shirt and the NanoTex shirt.

    100% cotton shirt: cool, soft, comfortable, breathes, wrinkles, absorbent, resistant to high temperatures, dyes easily, can be bleached, durable and wears well.
    NanoTex shirt properties: crisp and fresh, resistant to wrinkles and stains, repels spilled liquids. Feels dry inside, cool comfort level and resists static chargers. The zinc oxide finish applied at the molecular level controls bacterial propagation thus creating a resistance to odours.
    The NanoTex fabric like the 100% cotton fabric has a crisp, fresh hand and is cool and comfortable to wear. However the difference between the two fabrics is NanoTex is resistant to wrinkles and stains, repels liquids and feels dry on the inside. This fabric treatment or finish improves the functional properties of the cotton fabric.

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  3. Evaluate the impact of nanotechnology on textiles. The impact of nanotechnology on textiles includes:
    • making a significant impact on fibres, yarns, fabrics and finishes for textiles
    • creation of advanced performance properties for traditional fibres such as cotton
    • highly effective finish creating wide applications for the end uses for textiles
    • enhanced fabric softness making this fabric highly desirable for both male and female consumers of textiles
    • increased durability for the consumer
    • higher permeability creates increased comfort for the wearer
    • highly useful innovative finish for traditional fibres such as cotton without increasing the cost of the textile dramatically
    • extremely valuable finish for disposable textiles used in the health industry – a breakthrough fibre for the control of SARS, Swine flu and its use in hospitals and the health care industry.

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  4. Identify the impact of nanotechnology on textiles for the consumer, society and the environment. Record your answers in the table below.

      Impact on the consumer Impact on society Impact on the environment
    Advantages
    • Garment stays fresh looking and is more durable.
    • Garment has a highly active surface, e.g. water repellent, UV blocking, antimicrobial, self cleaning, stain and dirt resistant.
    • Innovative fabrics available, such as Nanotex stain resistant jeans (1990) and Nano-care a self cleaning fabric.
    • The protective layer is difficult to detect with the naked eye.
    • Saves laundering time.
    • Good ventilation or permeability increasing comfort.
    • Reduced moisture absorbency.
    • Increased crease resistance.
    • Good, smooth feel.
    • Cost effective.
    • Durable stain resistance.
    • Wide consumer usage of the fabric stimulates jobs in the textile industry including retail.
    • The innovation of nanotechnology has created a new era in textile finishing stimulating local research (CSIRO) and onshore manufacture.
    • Highly useful breakthrough fibre for the health of society, e.g. pandemics – SARS and Swine flu.
    • Sustains the local cotton industry.
    • A durable fabric therefore less money spent on apparel per consumer.
    • Significant potential for profit for the textile industry.
    • Manufacturing cost is low.
    • Provides an innovative fibre solution for Australia's fabric needs.
    • Creates new commercial products based on advanced fabrics.
    • Stimulates international demand for Australia's natural cotton.
    • Shorter laundry times required is good for the environment.
    • The fabric finish embraces ‘environmentally’ friendly properties.
    • Toxic free.
    • Recyclable.
    • Minimum chemicals needed in the cleaning process.
    Disadvantages
    • A compressed feel.
    • Less clothing items purchased due to durability.
    • Continued cost to research.
    • Government funding for further research may need to be negotiated.
    • Increased cotton fibre demand and hence increased production, water and pesticide usage impacts on the environment.

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