Mexican scientists aiming at the creation of “smart textiles”

As published on The Yucatan Times eight months ago, a Yucatecan company has developed a fabric that uses solar energy and infrared radiation to heat up the human body. The use of this new item is aimed at cold climate locations, as this technology uses solar radiation to heat up the human body during the day as well as infrared radiation to keep it warm at night.

Now, other Mexican scientists are providing different type of fabrics with technological functionalities: we are talking about antimicrobial materials, luminescent textiles, antistatic, among others that seem to come from a science fiction movie (but they don’t).

The Center for Research in Applied Chemistry (CIQA), is in charge of these innovations, with the support of the National Council of Science and Technology (Conacyt).

According to Dr. Carlos Alberto Avila Orta, senior fellow B in the Department of Advanced Materials of the CIQA and coordinator of the project, this work presents the possibility of adding properties to textile materials from its, which will add to the material advanced qualities based on nanostructured additives that will provide certain benefits to users.

According to a press release issued by the Conacyt, “The equipment purchased, LCEF (combined filament extrusion line) is an extrusion line for producing fibers from thermoplastic polymers by processes known as melt spinning and meltblown, due to which it has the ability to produce fibers for woven and nonwoven fabrics“.

With the acquisition of this new equipment, the CIQA will be able to continue with the project, strengthen it based on their own innovations, and it will also offer the possibility of applying the technology they have developed without breaking the fiber, because that is one of the main problems of their creation.

These smart textiles may be used in hospitals to prevent infections, or as photosensitive fabric in the security area to identify the authenticity of the uniform; and as antistatic material, for companies requiring avoiding an accident, among many other things.

Source: www.mexiconewsnetwork.com

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