The technology that makes any type of fabric antibacterial won second place in the China Medical Tech Competition
Nano Textile presents a technology that can turn any type of fabric into a fabric that kills bacteria. The unique technology prevents the growth of bacteria on both natural and synthetic fabrics, and can prevent the spread of infections in hospitals and reduce the transmission of infections between patients and the medical staff, thus significantly reducing secondary infection.
The revolutionary technology turns every fabric into an antibacterial fabric by embedding zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles into the fabric. Zinc oxide is known for its antibacterial properties and is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a safe substance to use. Zinc oxide nanoparticles eliminate even antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA bacteria. The technology, which is protected by a patent in the USA and Israel, was developed by Professor Aharon Gdankan from the Chemistry Department at Bar Ilan University, with the help of funding of 12 million euros from the FP7 program of the European Union.
The technology is based on sonochemistry, an effective method that combines the use of sound waves that was specially developed to coat surfaces with nanoparticles. Zinc oxide nanoparticles are formed in solution by a sonochemical process and once formed, they are cast onto the surface of the fabric. In the sonochemical process, molecules undergo a chemical reaction as a result of the use of powerful ultrasound radiation (20 kHz to 10 MHz). The physical phenomenon responsible for the sonochemical process is called acoustic cavitation, meaning the creation of bubbles by sound waves. During acoustic cavitation, bubbles are formed in the liquid, which keep growing until they reach a maximum size where they collapse. When a bubble collapses near a solid surface, microscopic jets of material spray the zinc oxide nanoparticles onto the solid surface, in this case the fabric, at such a high speed that they stick to the surface firmly.
The new technology enables the production of economically viable antibacterial fabrics without changing the appearance of the fabric, since the zinc oxide is colorless. In addition, the fabrics can go through up to 65 washing cycles at 92 degrees Celsius, and up to 100 washing cycles at 75 degrees Celsius, well beyond the standard requirements of medical institutions, without losing their antibacterial properties. The preparation process and the findings were described in an article published by Prof. Gdankan's laboratory in the scientific journal Cellulose.
Prof. Aharon Gadanken explained, "The main advantages of the method are that the antibacterial properties can be applied to any type of fabric, the treatment does not change the color of the fabric, and the entire process is very economically viable. In hospitals, for example, our technology can be used to give antibacterial properties to the work clothes, to the patients' pajamas, and to the bed linen and curtains, to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality and at the same time reduce hospitalization costs."
Lilac Mendels, president of Nano Textiles, stated, "After showing proof of feasibility, we are now in the process of raising the necessary capital to start commercial activity. The potential of our antibacterial fabric technologies is much broader than medical uses. The technology is also relevant to a variety of industries such as airplanes, trains and luxury cars in the field of transportation, baby clothes, sportswear and underwear in the field of clothing, and restaurants and hotels in the field of tourism."
Nano Textile won second place in the China Medical Tech Competition, held last month at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Twenty start-up companies participated in the competition out of almost 100 applications, and from these the judges selected the three most promising biomed companies, who won a flight to China to participate in the final competition in August. The venture capital fund Vadi Ventures participated in the organization of the competition, together with the Chinese Cybernaut Fund, and Deloitte Israel supported the event.
About bacterial infections
Bacterial infections during hospitalization are a major source of morbidity and death. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that over half a billion people worldwide become infected during their hospitalization, and a high percentage of them are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus bacteria (MRSA), or resistant gram-negative bacteria. These bacterial infections are not only responsible for the death of approximately 14 million people worldwide each year, but also represent a significant economic burden by extending the hospitalization time by an average of 8 days for each infected patient. Costs related to these infections in European hospitals alone reach about 12 billion dollars every year.
About Nano Textile
The company was founded in 2014, based on nanotechnology developed by Professor Aharon Gadanken from the Chemistry Department at Bar Ilan University. A global licensing agreement for the technology was signed with BIRAD, the research and development company of Bar Ilan University.
One response
It's just that I happen to be allergic to zinc oxide.