Home > News > Bring on the benefits: From non-smelly socks to earthquake-sensing wallpaper and thinner TVs, nanomaterials can contribute to almost every walk of life
November 27th, 2011
Bring on the benefits: From non-smelly socks to earthquake-sensing wallpaper and thinner TVs, nanomaterials can contribute to almost every walk of life
Abstract:
Odourless socks and T-shirts are possible because of one magic ingredient - silver. Minuscule silver particles are woven into fabrics to stop bacteria feeding on sweat. But the particles are so tiny they don't change the material's softness. So if you've got board-stiff socks, blame the conditioner.
Silver's powerful anti-microbial properties are also being used to coat products from fridges to baby changing tables - and even condoms. The EU has set up a consortium, BacterioSafe, to develop wound dressings equipped with anti-bacterial nanocapsules, to warn when burns victims are developing an infection.
"Everything we see and feel is defined by the nanoscale," says Professor Gabriel Aeppli, director of the London Centre for Nanotechnology. "For humans to survive, we need to engineer nanomaterials."
Source:
guardian.co.uk
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