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Weaving whole cloth from atoms

Liberec research group builds machine to make space-age fiber

Oldrich Jirsak, a professor at the Technical University of Liberec, shows off textiles made with nanofibers using a machine designed by the university.
By Filipa Sebova
For The Prague Post
(September 9, 2004)


A team of researchers at the Technical University of Liberec has discovered a way of producing nanofibers that could revolutionize the process. Oldrich Jirsak, vice chancellor of the university, said the research team set out to develop an economical and ecological method for producing fibers on the atomic scale.

"The idea came to me a few years ago when I was reading through the scientific articles about nanotechnology and nanofibers," he said. "As our faculty deals with textile engineering, I thought it was a good challenge for us."

In less than two years, the team achieved its goal of producing hollow fibers with nanometer-scale diameters in a single-step process. While the ability to produce nanofibers has been around for several years, the Liberec group claims to have created a machine capable of manufacturing the fibers on a mass scale.

"The uniqueness is in the continuing production," said Ondrej Novak, a fellow at TUL who is a member of Jirsak's group.

The machine can produce nanofibers in 1.5-meter-wide sections that are several meters long. Earlier production techniques were time-consuming and expensive, but Jirsak said the new process could reduce the cost of manufacturing the high-tech microfibers.

The group has patented the process in the Czech Republic and is waiting for an international patent that would give them exclusive worldwide rights. Jirsak expects the international patent to be approved in about two months.

Nanotechnology is manufacturing on the atomic scale, and nanofibers are made by stitching together atom-sized particles to create a high-tech microfiber. Because of their size and strength, nanofibers have a wide range of uses and can be engineered to do almost anything. Scientists see promise for the new fiber in industries from medical to construction, clothing to filtration.

"Its structure gives the material extraordinary characteristics," Jirsak said. Nanofibers can be woven into protective suits to guard against biological agents, he added.

"On one side it is impervious to viruses but it is permeable by sweat," he said.

Czech Army officials have already contacted the university to inquire about possible military applications for the fibers.

The university group has signed an agreement with the Liberec firm Elmarco, which specializes in the production of technological equipment, to manufacture the fibers.

"It looks like a really interesting area and because we are an innovative firm, we decided to cooperate with the university," said Ladislav Mares, director of Elmarco.
Jakub Hruza tests the filtration qualities of nano-textiles at TUL.

Interested buyers have already begun contacting Elmarco about the process. The level of interest has prompted the company to support further research into nanotechnology at the university.

"Since July, we financially support the research at the university, simultaneously with the work on the prototype," Mares said. "The university will get some percentage [of the profits] from sold products."

Jirsak declined to specify exactly what percentage of the profits the university would earn from the deal, but he estimated the university could see a return on its investment within two years.

The university has invested between 500,000 and 1 million Kc in developing the process of mass-producing nanofibers, Jirsak said. Much of those funds came in the form of government grants.
SMALL STUFF

• Roots: In Greek nano means 'little old man'

• What a nanometer is: Nano denotes a billionth of a meter

• Possible applications: Nanofibers can be used in medicine, construction, clothing, cosmetics, and automotive and filtration processes

Another member of the team, doctorate student Jiri Chaloupek, said the beauty of the new process is its simplicity, which also makes it less expensive than other techniques.

Jirsak said the cost of producing the fibers is similar to that of other textiles. Depending on the material used, it can cost anywhere from a few crowns to 1,000 Kc to produce each meter of the fiber.

Jirsak declined to elaborate on how the process works, and the university is waiting to receive an international patent before unveiling the equipment to the world.

University of Cambridge Professor Alan Windle, who specializes in materials science, said production of nanofibers is a "hot topic" at the moment. "This is cutting-edge research, but not in any way unique," he said of the Liberec announcement.

Tasilo Prnka, a member of the Czech Society for New Materials and Technologies, is withholding his own judgment until he sees the process for himself.

The Liberec group plans to unveil the prototype in October. If all goes well, the group will take the machine on the road next spring to exhibitions in Geneva and Frankfurt.

Jirsak said research in nanotechnology could keep the university's faculty busy for the next 20 years.

Filipa Sebova can be reached at business@praguepost.com




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