Silver-Embedded Polymer Fibres for Durable Antimicrobial Textiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antimicrobial textiles face issues such as silver loss during washing, limited color options, high copper content requirements, and regulatory concerns with nanoparticulate silver, leading to reduced efficacy and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of silver particles produced by grinding silver leaf, incorporated into polymer fibers at specific weight percentages, allowing for extrusion and formation of durable, effective antimicrobial textiles that maintain antimicrobial properties through multiple washes and varied color options without nanoparticulate silver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silver is coated onto fibres using electrolessly plating method, then antimicrobial activity is provided, but silver is removed by washing reducing efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
Silver particles are incorporated into the polymer material before fibre formation through extrusion. This preliminary incorporation ensures silver is embedded within the fibre structure from the beginning, preventing subsequent loss during washing while maintaining antimicrobial activity throughout the product lifecycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material where silver particles are distributed within the polymer matrix. This composite structure combines the antimicrobial properties of silver with the structural integrity of polymer fibres, ensuring silver remains embedded and resistant to washing while providing sustained antimicrobial protection.
2Reliability
If nanoparticulate silver is used to provide antimicrobial properties, then antimicrobial activity is enhanced, but regulatory control and migration concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and size parameters of silver from nanoparticulate form to larger, non-nanoparticulate particles. This parameter change eliminates regulatory concerns surrounding nanoparticles while maintaining antimicrobial effectiveness, and prevents migration into the body as the larger particles remain embedded in the fibre structure.
3Reliability
If copper salts are dispersed in polymeric material to produce antiviral materials, then antiviral properties are achieved, but the technology is not applicable to a broad range of polymers and produces bronze or light brown colour
Solution Approach 1:
The extrusion process incorporates silver particles into polymer fibres in a manner that is universally applicable to various polymer types. The method provides multi-functionality by simultaneously achieving antimicrobial activity, maintaining fibre structural integrity, and allowing for diverse color options without the bronze or light brown discoloration associated with copper-based solutions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The approach results in textiles that retain antimicrobial activity after numerous washes at high temperatures, are compatible with various detergents and bleaches, and can be produced in a range of colors, offering cost-effective and durable antimicrobial solutions.
Implementation Method 1
The polymer batch may comprise from 0.01 wt% to 10 wt% of silver particles
Implementation Method 2
Related applications US 2012/0094120 and US 2014/0374941 disclose the use of powdered metal alloys as an antimicrobial agent in an extruded polymer fibre
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to antimicrobial materials and articles, such as fibres, yarns, and their incorporation into textiles, packaging for food or beverages, or articles of clothing such as gloves. The antimicrobial fibres and yarns may be formed of a polymer and may comprise silver particles dispersed therein. The present invention contemplates a polymer batch precursor to the fibre of the invention and further products formed of the fibre or the polymer batch, for example textiles.