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  • Writer's pictureJulie Thuy Phan
    • 3 min read

Nanotechnology: The Future in Manufacture and Textile Production of Southeast Asia


Abstract

The use of nanotechnology in such huge industrial and commercial tasks and activities, like the textile production in Southeast Asia countries like Vietnam and Malaysia. This type of scientific manufacturing engineering system has gained a positive approach to economies and environments. Nanotechnology is multi-faceted in its dependence on being connected safely with biological systems. With the use of nanoparticles like titanium dioxide (TiO2) and silica (siNP), they reduce damage to the qualities of fabrics and hydrophobic features that repel liquids from soaking into clothing. With the use of biomass and using available resources around us, we can turn it into valuable products alongside the use of nanotechnology, and decreased toxic fumes like gases flowing through the air.

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Keywords: nanotechnology, nanoparticles, manufacturing engineering, silica, titanium dioxide, hydrophobic.

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Introduction

Nanotechnology is a science-technology branch dedicated to the purposes of using atoms and molecular scales like the nanometer to make advancement and improvements in manufacturing productions and industrial works. With the uproar and huge development of this particular technology, we are able to nanoengineer with specific scientific methods and devices to operate the atoms and molecules to strengthen material quality, textile features: antiwrinkles, durability, texture, liquid repellents, and etc.


These are examples of the connections between the use of nanotechnology, nanoparticles and textile.

Nanoscale

This quantification scale is measured from 1-100 nanometers and marks down the atom and molecule activities in relation to material properties. Depending on the types of atoms presented from the scale, will determine the fiber surface effect, which will ultimately determine the material qualities and state. The nanometer was introduced and created by Physicist Richard Feynman, who is known to be the father of nanotechnology. He had this mastermind and intellectual vision that we can control and see individual particles, molecules and atoms. According to (NNI) National Nanotechnology Initative, “Today's scientists and engineers are finding a wide variety of ways to deliberately make materials at the nanoscale to take advantage of their enhanced properties such as higher strength, lighter weight, increased control of light spectrum, and greater chemical reactivity than their larger-scale counterparts''. Overall, nanotechnology and nanoparticles will strengthen fabric qualities without mass changes, thickness, and texture.

Here is an example of a nanometer scale used in this scientific manufacturing system.

Nanoparticles

Silica (siNP), is a coating layer that provides protection to the surface area of fabrics. In further depth, they allow a hydrophobic feature where it repels liquid products instead of absorbing into the clothings. The special effect that comes in with this protective coating, is it creates little beads of the liquids like water: bouncing onto the fabric, the textile doesn't saturate the liquid. Other advantages include being an important role as the finishing agent and allows the textile to endure through harsh weather, chemicals, and in other critical conditions. Another agent used is titanium dioxide (TiO2), where it maintains the matte-effect, strength, and toughens the fibers.


An image showing silica and titanium dioxide.

History of Nanotechnology The prefix, “nano” means something small, with its scaling from 1 nm-100 nm. The establishment and proposed concept of nanotechnology was created by Richard Feyman, as previously mentioned. His famous novel and lecture, There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom, depicted that we can actually manipulate molecules, atoms, and particles. Another famous Japanese scientist named Norio Taniguchi, was the first to do works and studies with nanotechnology: explaining processes that can pull away each individual atom and molecule. Years later, these fields of science inspired ideas to use these types of technology and achieve a friendly, healthy ecosystem for the world with the everyday products we use and necessities. Lessen deforestation uses, lower the use of fossil fuels and harmful chemicals, protect the climate, etc. That’s why, the National Technology Initative (NNI), was created amongst the political bodies to shape national science areas. ​ Conclusion All in all, nanotechnology has provided substantial growth and innovative ways to improve our everyday lives. A way for us to modify, divide, see and touch molecules and atoms. To continue revolutionizing and evolving everyday products with safe hand-in-hand chemicals that are compatible with our biological system, at the same time, improve the quality of materials. With devices like the nanoscale, we can identify ways to make materials more durable.


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