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Cotton Based Chemical and Biological Warfare Decontamination Military Wipes --Continuation

Researchers in the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health have developed a prototype three-layered, next-to-skin friendly cotton military wipe. They have demonstrated that the wipe has both absorbing and adsorbing capabilities.

This type of cotton product could yield high returns for the U.S. cotton industry. Two U.S. patent applications are pending but additional research is needed to ascertain the wipe’s ability to retain various toxic chemicals such as malathion and p-xylene – a step necessary for commercialization in defense and industrial markets.

Another objective of this project is to efficiently use “state-of-the-art” needlepunching nonwoven technology in order to develop lightweight cotton nonwovens and subsequently use it to develop adsorbent composites that have a myriad of military applications such as military suit protective liners.

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Cotton nonwovens form an important layer in the antiballistic chest shield.
 

Green Cotton Composites From Discounted Cotton for Automotive and Industrial Applications – Continuation

This project’s overarching goal is to create high-end market opportunities for low micronaire cotton by developing greener composites. Already, scientists in the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health have optimized a needle-punching nonwoven line process that can handle coarse/low micronaire cotton.

In this ongoing effort, they will be: 1) exploring new areas of application for discounted cottons; 2) manufacturing compostable composites using low micronaire cotton that find applications in automobiles; 3) effectively utilizing needle-punching and thermal-bonding technologies to develop cotton composites that find use in semi-structural and industrial applications; 4) determining the best combinations of materials and processing conditions to produce good quality cotton composites from discounted cottons; 5) evaluating the cotton composites from low quality cottons for their critical performance related properties; and 6) promoting cotton-based composites by presenting research results and providing samples to prospective customers/industries.

Appropriate nonwoven and automotive industries will be contacted, and it is anticipated that potential products will be made available to the industry by mid-2009. Hopefully, new value-added markets will be created for low micronaire cotton not only in the United States but in Europe and Asia.


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