A breakthrough innovation

A breakthrough innovation in nonwoven toxic chemical decontamination wipe at Texas Tech University recently received a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Fibertect wipe was invented by Seshadri Ramkumar, an associate professor of Environmental Toxicology at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) and is currently under production at Hobbs Bonded Fibers. The process for which the patent has been issued focuses on a multilayered wipe with a unique fabric structure which can wipe liquid and vapor toxins. His research on nonwoven decontamination wipe has resulted in technology transfer and will be commercialized very soon.Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar, who serves as the Co-Chairman of the USA based INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry’s India committee had been recognized by Lubbock, USA, as one of the Top 20 under 40 Young Professionals in 2007. He has been playing an important role for over the past 5 years for the promotion, growth and international linkages in technical textiles in India. His enthusiasm and tireless efforts were recently recognized at the International Conference on Performance Wear Functional Textiles – “PFT 2008” wherein he was awarded the “Technical Textiles Accomplishment Award” for his nonwovens research and promotion of technical textiles.In an exclusive interview with NonwovenSupplier, Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar revealed the detail on applications of this patented product along with the current research undergoing at Texas Tech University. We congratulate Dr. Ramkumar and wish him success in his endeavor in future.
He speaks....
Can you give us a glimpse on Fibertect™ and its applications?
Fibertect is a dry nonwoven wipe that has a myriad of applications in toxic spill, contaminated environments, military and emergency situations. This wipe is developed using needlepunching nonwoven technology. Nonwoven technology is a burgeoning field globally which has a growth rate of 4-5% per annum. The Fibertect wipe has the capacity to absorb liquid toxic chemicals and hold toxic vapors. This multiple capability is unique to the Fibertect decontamination wipe. Most recently, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted a patent titled “Process for making chemical protective wipes and such wipes,” US Patent Number 7516525. Fibertect wipe was evaluated by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory using toxic chemicals. Our invention came out to be the best dry wipe. This result, which received global recognition was published in a prestigious American Chemical Society journal in December 2008. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Livermore, California, USA evaluated my wipe technology and came out with the result that the wipe performed the best as compared to 30 other products with regard to toxic chemical retention. More recently, on March 9, 2009, LLNL recommended my nonwoven wipe technology to be part of a prototype Low Cost Personnel Decontamination System.Depending on the end-use applications, fibers such as cotton and blends can be used to develop the top and bottom absorbent layers. These can be then used to develop the decontamination wipe which has activated carbon to hold toxic vapors. The non-particulate nature of the wipe, i.e., the wipe is devoid of loose particles makes it convenient for cleaning intricate parts of decontaminated objects and human body.

How do you intend to commercialize Fibertect™ wipe?
The wipe technology has been licensed to needlepunching industry, "Hobbs Bonded Fibers" in Waco, Texas, USA. Hobbs Bonded Fibers is currently manufacturing the wipe and is putting together a global marketing team to market Fibertect.

Please give us details on the ongoing research activities at Texas Tech University?
Recently, on April 6, 2009, Texas Tech University unveiled a state-of-the-art "Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory." The laboratory, which is 4,000 square feet in area has 1.5 meters wide contoured needle zone needlepunching machine and through air thermal bonding machine. We will be soon getting a pilot scale coating machine. The lab has vacuum plasma machine and important fabric mechanical property evaluation instruments such as Instron tensile tester, friction tester, breathability tester, etc.The laboratory's research involves both basic and applied work that will lead to new textile materials which will enhance human health and protect environment. We are also working on projects that develops functional nanofibers and evaluating the toxicity of nano products. We are also exploring novel applications of cotton in industrial textiles such as composites for automobiles, etc.

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