Investigation of the Thermodynamic and Kinetic Behavior of Acid Dyes in Relation to Wool Fiber Morphology.

Wool fibers from several different sheep breeds in the UK have very limited applications. The main aim of this study was to establish an understanding of the dye sorption properties of different wool fibers through thermodynamics and kinetics of dyeing using Acid Red 1 dye. Wool fibers from Leicester, Ryeland, and Dartmoor sheep breeds were pretreated (to remove impurities) and dyed using Acid Red 1.

Development of novel parameters for characterising scale morphology of wool fibre and its correlation with dye diffusion coefficient of acid dye.

This paper reports the development of novel surface parameters which can be used to characterise the scale structure of wool fibres obtained from different breeds. Scanning electron microscopy and subsequent image analysis technique were used to study wool fibres from Leicester, Dartmoor, Ryeland and Herdwick breeds of sheep. Novel scale parameters related to wool fibre's effective chemical diffusion pathway were developed.

Developing Super-Hydrophobic and Abrasion-Resistant Wool Fabrics Using Low-Pressure Hexafluoroethane Plasma Treatment.

The growing interest in wool fibres as an eco-friendly and sustainable material for diverse industrial applications requires an enhancement of their functional performance. To address this, wool fabrics were treated in the present research with low-pressure hexafluoroethane (CF) plasma to impart superhydrophobicity and improve their abrasion resistance. Unscoured and scoured wool fabrics were treated with CF while varying plasma power (80 W and 150 W), gas flow rate (12 sccm and 50 sccm) and treatment time (6 min and 20 min), and the effect of plasma parameters on the abrasion resistance, water contact angle and dyeing behaviour of the wool fabrics was studied.

Recontamination of Healthcare Surfaces by Repeated Wiping with Biocide-Loaded Wipes: "" as Best Practice in the Clinical Environment.

The wiping of high-touch healthcare surfaces made of metals, ceramics and plastics to remove bacteria is an accepted tool in combatting the transmission of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). In practice, surfaces may be repeatedly wiped using a single wipe, and the potential for recontamination may be affected by various factors. Accordingly, we studied how the surface to be wiped, the type of fibre in the wipe and how the presence of liquid biocide affected the degree of recontamination.

Biomimetic peptide enriched nonwoven scaffolds promote calcium phosphate mineralisation.

Cell-free translational strategies are needed to accelerate the repair of mineralised tissues, particularly large bone defects, using minimally invasive approaches. Regenerative bone scaffolds should ideally mimic aspects of the tissue's ECM over multiple length scales and enable surgical handling and fixation during implantation . Leveraging the knowledge gained with bioactive self-assembling peptides (SAPs) and SAP-enriched electrospun fibres, we presented a cell free approach for promoting mineralisation apatite deposition and crystal growth, , of SAP-enriched nonwoven scaffolds.

Enrichment of cellulose acetate nanofibre assemblies for therapeutic delivery of l-tryptophan.

The essential amino acid l-tryptophan is naturally present in the body, and is also available as a water soluble dietary supplement. The feasibility of preparing enriched cellulose acetate (CA)-based fibres as a vehicle for therapeutic delivery of such biomolecules was investigated. A new ternary solvent system consisting of acetone: N,N-dimethylacetamide: methanol (2:1:2) has been demonstrated to permit the solution blending of CA with the water soluble l-tryptophan.

Antibacterial Properties of Nonwoven Wound Dressings Coated with Manuka Honey or Methylglyoxal.

Manuka honey (MH) is used as an antibacterial agent in bioactive wound dressings via direct impregnation onto a suitable substrate. MH provides unique antibacterial activity when compared with conventional honeys, owing partly to one of its constituents, methylglyoxal (MGO). Aiming to investigate an antibiotic-free antimicrobial strategy, we studied the antibacterial activity of both MH and MGO (at equivalent MGO concentrations) when applied as a physical coating to a nonwoven fabric wound dressing.

Mechanical Properties of Nonwoven Reinforced Thermoplastic Polyurethane Composites.

Reinforcement of flexible fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composites with standard textile fibres is a potential low cost solution to less critical loading applications. The mechanical behaviour of FRPs based on mechanically bonded nonwoven preforms composed of either low or high modulus fibres in a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix were compared following compression moulding. Nonwoven preform fibre compositions were selected from lyocell, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA) as well as para-aramid fibres (polyphenylene terephthalamide; PPTA).

Role of surface energy and nano-roughness in the removal efficiency of bacterial contamination by nonwoven wipes from frequently touched surfaces.

Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) are responsible for substantial patient morbidity, mortality and economic cost. Infection control strategies for reducing rates of transmission include the use of nonwoven wipes to remove pathogenic bacteria from frequently touched surfaces. Wiping is a dynamic process that involves physicochemical mechanisms to detach and transfer bacteria to fibre surfaces within the wipe.

Substitution of PFAS chemistry in outdoor apparel and the impact on repellency performance.

Intensifying legislation and increased research on the toxicological and persistent nature of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have recently influenced the direction of liquid repellent chemistry use; environmental, social, and sustainability responsibilities are at the crux. Without PFAS chemistry, it is challenging to meet current textile industry liquid repellency requirements, which is a highly desirable property, particularly in outdoor apparel where the technology helps to provide the wearer with essential protection from adverse environmental conditions. Herein, complexities between required functionality, legislation and sustainability within outdoor apparel are discussed, and fundamental technical performance of commercially available long-chain (C8) PFASs, shorter-chain (C6) PFASs, and non-fluorinated repellent chemistries finishes are evaluated comparatively.

A structurally self-assembled peptide nano-architecture by one-step electrospinning.

Self-assembling peptides (SAPs) have been shown to offer great promise in therapeutics and have the ability to undergo self-assembly and form ordered nanostructures. However SAP gels are often associated with inherent weak and transient mechanical properties and incorporation of them into polymeric matrices is a route to enhance their mechanical stability. The aim of this work was to incorporate P-8 peptide (CHCOQQRFOWOFEQQNH) within poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibrous webs via one-step electrospinning, aiming to establish the underlying relationships between spinning process, molecular peptide conformation, and material internal architecture.

Investigation into the potential use of poly(vinyl alcohol)/methylglyoxal fibres as antibacterial wound dressing components.

As problems of antibiotic resistance increase, a continuing need for effective bioactive wound dressings is anticipated for the treatment of infected chronic wounds. Naturally derived antibacterial agents, such as Manuka honey, consist of a mixture of compounds, more than one of which can influence antimicrobial potency. The non-peroxide bacteriostatic properties of Manuka honey have been previously linked to the presence of methylglyoxal.

Optimizing the colour and fabric of targets for the control of the tsetse fly Glossina fuscipes fuscipes.

Background: Most cases of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) start with a bite from one of the subspecies of Glossina fuscipes. Tsetse use a range of olfactory and visual stimuli to locate their hosts and this response can be exploited to lure tsetse to insecticide-treated targets thereby reducing transmission. To provide a rational basis for cost-effective designs of target, we undertook studies to identify the optimal target colour.