Nanotech sportswear top innovation

by Charles Runckel

Thailand is focusing many of its early efforts in developing its capability in nanotechnology in utilizing nanotech skills to benefit local industry.  One example of this focus is an anti-bacterial sportswear that won top honors from Thailand’s National Innovation Agency in a competition involving five hundred projects the Institute supports, the purpose of which was to encourage local creativity and innovation in commercial products.  The sportswear marks the first use of nanotechnology in the Thai textile industry, in this case using silver-based nanoparticles to act as an anti-biotic, blocking the unpleasant odors caused by bacteria growing in human sweat.  The clothing is expected to cost 10-15% more than ordinary sportswear.

The product was the result of collaboration between United Textile Mills Co Ltd (UTM) and the Metallurgy and Materials Science Research Institute (MMRI) of Chulalongkorn University.  Over ten million baht (approximately $240,000 USD) was invested in development, with expected returns of $2.5 million in sales the first year.  The Thai sportswear market is worth approximately $75 million. 

Researchers said the key to the nano-fabric was developing a process to apply the silver quickly, simply and to survive wash cycles.  Developers claim the anti-bacterial properties are maintained beyond the fiftieth wash.  A patent application is in progress from Chulalongkorn University.