While nonwoven fabrics have existed for several decades, their usage in personal protective equipment (PPE) has been met with a rapid surge of demands, in part due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This review aims to critically examine the current state of nonwoven PPE fabrics by exploring (i) the material constituents and processing steps to produce fibers and bond them, and (ii) how each fabric layer is integrated into a textile, and how the assembled textiles are used as PPE. Firstly, filament fibers are manufactured via dry, wet, and polymer-laid fiber spinning methods. Then the fibers are bonded via chemical, thermal, and mechanical means. Emergent nonwoven processes such as electrospinning and centrifugal spinning to produce unique ultrafine nanofibers are discussed. Nonwoven PPE applications are categorized as filters, medical usage, and protective garments. The role of each nonwoven layer, its role, and textile integration are discussed. Finally, the challenges stemming from the single-use nature of nonwoven PPEs are discussed, especially in the context of growing concerns over sustainability. Then, emerging solutions to address sustainability issues with material and processing innovations are explored.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma16113964 | DOI Listing |
Biomimetics (Basel)
January 2025
Research Group Architectural Engineering, Department of Architecture, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) are highly valued for their ability to transform low-value organic materials into sustainable building materials, offering significant potential for decarbonizing the construction sector. The properties of MBCs are influenced by factors such as the mycelium species, substrate materials, fabrication growth parameters, and post-processing. Traditional fabrication methods involve combining grain spawn with loose substrates in a mold to achieve specific single functional properties, such as strength, acoustic absorption, or thermal insulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInorg Chem
January 2025
Industrial Research Institute of Nonwovens & Technical Textiles, Shandong Engineering Research Center for Specialty Nonwoven Materials, College of Textiles & Clothing, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, P. R. China.
Promoting the rate of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is critical for boosting the overall energy efficiency of the flexible zinc-air batteries (FZABs). Inspired by nature, we designed "branch-leaf" like hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers with ultralow loadings of Ir nanoparticles (NPs) derived from covalent-organic framework/metal-organic framework (COF/MOF) core-shell hybrids. The as-obtained Ir/FeZn-hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers (HPCNFs) showcase enhanced ORR performance, and the ultralow Ir loading reduces the cost while maintaining catalytic capacity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Neurovasc Res
January 2025
Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Objective: Regenerative therapy using stem cells to treat cerebral infarction is currently in the research phase. However, this method is costly. It also faces other significant challenges, including optimization of timing, delivery methods, and dosage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
January 2025
College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, No. 2 Xueyuan Road, Fuzhou 350108, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Medical Instrument and Pharmaceutical Technology, Fuzhou University, No. 2 Xueyuan Road, Fuzhou 350108, China. Electronic address:
Int J Biol Macromol
January 2025
Shaoxing Key Laboratory of High Performance Fibers & Products, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000, China; Shaoxing Sub-center of National Engineering Research Center for Fiber-based Composites, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang, Shaoxing 312000, China; Key Laboratory of Clean Dyeing and Finishing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000, China. Electronic address:
Wearable devices that incorporate flexible pressure sensors have shown great potential for human-machine interaction, speech recognition, health monitoring, and handwriting recognition. However, achieving high sensitivity, durability, wide detection range, and breathability through cost-effective fabrication remains challenging. Through ultrasound-assisted modification and impregnation-drying, dome-structured nonwovens/rGO/PDMS flexible pressure sensors were developed.
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