The PE kit that keeps itself clean

 

Last updated at 22:00pm on 31st December 2006

 

It has never been one of the more rewarding tasks of parenthood. But science may be about to lighten the load of those faced with transferring that used PE kit from the bag to the washing machine.

The breakthrough comes in the form of a 'self-cleaning coating' that can be applied to fabrics.

The process gives the material a host of properties, such as the ability to repel water, resist stains and kill off bacteria that grow in sweat and make clothes smell.

They have already produced T-shirts and underwear for the U.S. Air Force that can be worn for weeks without washing.

Now the technology has been licensed to London-based company Alexium, which is developing it for civilian applications.

'We are talking to some major sportswear brands to use this technology,' said John Almond, a director of Alexium.

'But it does zillions of different things. It keeps things clean, not as in clean to look at, but free of germs.

'We are looking at commercialising it for hundreds of applications, a lot of them are consumer-driven, some are medical and some industrial.'

At the heart of the technology are nanoparticles, which can be fixed to the fibres of clothing using microwaves.

They then act as an invisible net of tiny 'hooks' that chemicals can be attached to, forming a protective coating.

Scientists have discovered 14 different properties that can be applied to the particles, making the surface of the fabric impenetrable to water or bacteria, for example.

It is hoped that the technology could be a revolutionary new tool in the fight against hospital superbugs.

Because it kills off a host of bacteria and viruses it could be used in hospital uniforms and bedding, on walls and furniture and cleaning items to defeat superbugs such as MRSA and clostridium difficile.

The effectiveness of the coating fails over time as the active chemicals are knocked off.

This can take a few months or as long as a year, depending on the item. But, according to experts, reactivation simply involves dipping the item in a fresh solution.

washing is theraputic.

washing is theraputic.

 

I'm afraid that just doesn't wash............................. :rolleyes: