Credit: Peggy Greb
A new biopolishing wool-processing technique can make wool clothing more comfortable. U.S. military is interested.
As I have worked with material science and nanotechnology for years (in the past) I have a deep fascination with the amazing applications in all fields of society that we have seen and will continue to see.
Scientists at ARS have developed a coating of wool making it more heat resistant and fire retardant. It means simply that it takes longer before the materials or cloths start to burn when exposed to fire.
I can't say you look good girl! She might save her life though, which I'd consider more important. :-)
Credit: ARS-ERRC.
On the left normal wool fiber (scanned by electron microscope), on the right wool with coating.
The scientists improved the flame retardancy of the biopolished wool by treating it with a heat-resistant polymer that is stable, easy to process, and highly tolerant of extreme temperatures. Unlike some popular flame retardants, the this material does not use the heavy metal zirconium, which can present a health hazard during processing. While natural, synthetic, and blended fibers can be treated with the polymer, wool is particularly suitable because of its innate fire resistance.
Material Science includes solid state physics which is concerned with the different properties of materials such as thermal and structural change. This article is clearly about physics, in case you were in doubt. :-)
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