Sericin based bioactive coating for polyester fabric

In this study, a process has been developed for durable coating of sericin on polyester. Pre modification of polyester with alkali (sodium hydroxide) has been carried out to incorporate polar entities on its inert surface. 10g/L of sericin with 30mL/L of glutaraldehyde, cured at 130°C for 2min has been optimized for its application on modified surface. Treated samples are tested for surface smoothness, moisture retention, wicking, antistat and antioxidant characteristics. Results show that polyester fabric surface becomes smoother as well as highly hydrophilic on application of sericin. Wicking properties are enhanced greatly and antisat property is improved along with the radical quenching property. These results can be used to prepare fabric having unique properties of enhanced smoothness, hygroscopicity, high wicking and radical quenching which make it suitable for applications in skin moisturizing, skin healing and anti-ageing. These results indicate that sericin can be used to develop a durable and bioactive finish on polyester for use in medical and sports garments

Baby Boomer Gay Men’s Lived Experiences with Primary Healthcare: A Qualitative Study

Background: Baby boomer gay men have experiences discrimination in healthcare settings. Members of the LGBTQIA+ population are often studied as a single entity, which fails to account for the distinct cultural and social generational differences within this population that may affect their experiences of health care. A paucity of research is available on baby boomer gay men’s perspectives about primary healthcare experiences. Such knowledge is necessary to improve inclusiveness in healthcare settings and health outcomes. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe baby boomer gay men’s lived experiences with primary healthcare. The specific aims are to describe: (1) the common barriers and facilitators baby boomer gay men experience in initiating and maintaining primary healthcare, and (2) the commonalities and differences of their lived experiences in doing so. Methods: This study was conducted with a latent-thematic qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in person or virtually with 30 baby boomer gay men (born between 1946 and 1964) who utilized primary healthcare within the past year. Six LGBTQIA+ or LGBTQIA+-friendly community-based organizations located within Houston, Texas provided social support and primary healthcare services. A professional, HIPAA-compliant service transcribed audio recordings of the interviews. The PI de-identified the transcribed interviews, reviewed them for accuracy, and added emotional context. Recruitment continued until data saturation occurred and no new themes emerged. Results: Analysis of baby boomer gay men interviews revealed that this group continues to anticipate rejection by new or unknown primary healthcare providers because of their sexual orientation. The cycle of anticipating rejection and discrimination can occur each time the participant seeks a new healthcare provider. Study participants expressed concerns about mistreatment in future long-term care settings despite the availability of an LGBTQIA+ senior living center this study’s geographical region of this study. Others described positive encounters with providers, particularly after establishing healthcare with a known gay or gay-friendly provider. Conclusion: While facilitators to healthcare mirrored similar studies, our study indicates that baby boomer gay men continue to experience barriers to primary healthcare and are concerned about access to gay or gay-friendly providers in future long-term care settings. Concerns also exist about mistreatment in long-term care because of their sexual orientation. Opportunities exist for ongoing research about improving healthcare settings and sexual minority experiences

A literature review of analytical techniques for materials characterisation of painted textiles - Part 2: spectroscopic and chromatographic analytical instrumentation

Part Two of this Literature Review of analytical techniques for materials characterisation of painted textiles focusses on the application of vibrational and x-ray spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques used in the analysis of painted textiles to inform understanding of their materials, methods of making and degradation. The principles of detection methods, technique limitations and advantages, and how they complement each other, are explained and advances in techniques applicable in the study of painted textiles are discussed, such as mapping in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman, surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy, and secondary ion mass spectrometry. Most informative work relating to painted textiles comes from close collaboration between conservators and scientists in interpreting findings and this literature review provides a useful starting point to further develop the capabilities of analytical techniques to enhance the study and conservation of painted textiles

Interactive textiles

The fusion of computing with textile materials has enhanced the interactive capabilities of textiles. Applying these electronic aspects of textile design is an evolving discipline. This study introduces a case study of teaching textile design in higher education with an interactive focus on art and design. We analysed projects and contents that appeared to be significant in the students’ processes as well as findings from the point of view of art and design pedagogy. Working on design education in multidisciplinary teams together with accessible technology was found rewarding. Knowing the basics of textile design is essential, but when developing e-textiles, interdisciplinary teachers are recommended. Moreover, creating positive experiences, circumstances and possibilities to continue the design process in the future is also important

Conducting Foams and Fibres for Bulk Plastic Thermoelectrics

The use of small portable electronics in society is constantly increasing, thus the demand for portable power sources also rises in turn. Portable electronic devices rely upon energy stored in batteries to power them, which in turn require regular access to power outlets to be recharged. The development of organic thermoelectric materials is one potential solution towards charging devices, such as sensors and ID tags, whilst the user is mobile.This thesis discusses thermoelectrics in the context of organics, specifically the development of materials with bulk architectures, where conjugated polymers have been used to attain functioning conducting systems. We present conducting p-type silk and n-type polyester based yarns which could ultimately prove useful for drawing upon waste heat energy from the human body, for example in the form of clothing. Additionally, foams have been developed which offer low thermal conductivities, ease of doping and comparable thermoelectric performances c.f thick films considering the amount of material present. We have also demonstrated a nanocomposite system which can be switched from p-type to n-type when irradiated with UV light, which lends itself as an ink that allows for patterning during printing.Textile devices have been fabricated based upon p-type silk yarn dyed with PEDOT:PSS, which were further enhanced with n-type polyester yarn coated with a carbon nanotube composite, to produce an all-organic device which produces promising results in terms of thermoelectric output, offering an exciting direction \ua0for the growing field of organic thermoelectrics

Transdisciplinary top-down review of hemp fibre composites: From an advanced product design to crop variety selection

Given the vast amount of available research in the area of natural fibre composites, a significant step forward in the development of next-generation plant fibre-based products would be to devise a framework for rational design. The authors use a top-down approach, starting with an example final product to define the product specifications for high-performance hemp fibre-reinforced composites. Thereafter, all process steps are critically analysed: from textile preform and reinforcement yarn production, to fibre extraction and the agricultural process chain, to the microbiology of field retting, to cultivation and selection of crop variety. The aim of the analysis is to determine how far the current state of knowledge and process technologies are in order to use hemp fibres in high- performance composites. Based on this critical evaluation of the state-of-the-art, it can be stated that hemp will be found in high-performance composites in the short-to-medium term. There is, however, a need for performance optimisation especially through the selection of crop variety, best practices in retting, and effective fibre extraction methods to obtain more consistent fibre qualities suitable for reinforcement spinning and composite preform manufacturing processes

Transdisciplinary top-down review of hemp fibre composites: from an advanced product design to crop variety selection

Given the vast amount of available research in the area of natural fibre composites, a significant step forward in the development of next-generation plant fibre-based products would be to devise a framework for rational design. The authors use a top-down approach, starting with an example final product to define the product specifications for high-performance hemp fibre-reinforced composites. Thereafter, all process steps are critically analysed: from textile preform and reinforcement yarn production, to fibre extraction and the agricultural process chain, to the microbiology of field retting, to cultivation and selection of crop variety. The aim of the analysis is to determine how far the current state of knowledge and process technologies are in order to use hemp fibres in high-performance composites. Based on this critical evaluation of the state-of-the-art, it can be stated that hemp will be found in high-performance composites in the short-to-medium term. There is, however, a need for performance optimisation especially through the selection of crop variety, best practices in retting, and effective fibre extraction methods to obtain more consistent fibre qualities suitable for reinforcement spinning and composite preform manufacturing processes

Functional Biodegradable Nanocomposites

Concern around environmental issues facing society has grown significantly in recent years. Reduction in damages resulting from both industrial and domestic waste has become a key topic as a means to address environmental problems and the exhaustion of natural resources. Likewise, the use of materials of polymeric origin in applications such as tissue regeneration, controlled release of medicines, packaging, soil remediation, etc., makes the development of materials biodegradable in biological media increasingly important. Recently, significant progress has been achieved in the creation of biodegradable polymeric formulations with functionalities similar to those of non-biodegradable polymers, both of natural and of synthetic origin, extending their applicability to fields such as food packaging, electronics, production of health-related materials, agriculture, etc. In this context, biodegradable nanocomposites offer new and exciting possibilities. This book deals with the development of functional polymer nanocomposites that can undergo biodegradation in different media, including biological systems, soils, landfills, etc. Original and review articles covering aspects of polymer science and technology, such as synthesis, processing, characterization, properties, and applications of functional biodegradable nanocomposites for different applications, are included in this book

Manufacturing of coir fibre-reinforced polymer composites by hot compression technique

This present chapter describes the manufacturing technique and properties of coir fibre-reinforced polypropylene composites manufactured using a hot press machine. The effects of basic chromium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate treatment on the physical and mechanical properties were also evaluated. Chemical treatment and fibre loading generally improved the mechanical properties. Five-hour basic chromium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate-treated coir-polypropylene had the best set of properties among all manufactured composites. Chemical treatment also improved water absorption characteristics. This proves that chemical treatment reduced the hydrophilicity of the coir fibre. Overall the hot compression technique was proved to be successful in manufacturing good quality coir reinforced polypropylene composites