Nano Textile Introduces Novel Technology to Fight Hospital-Acquired Infections

RAMAT GAN, Israel, June 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Nano Textile, introduces a revolutionary technology that can transfer any type of fabric to one that kills bacteria. The unique, cost effective technology, which permanently prevents the growth of bacteria on both natural and synthetic fibers, can prevent the spread of hospital-acquired infections and reduce cross contamination between patients and medical staff, thereby significantly reducing secondary infections.

The revolutionary technology transforms any readymade fabric into antibacterial textile by embedding zinc-oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles onto the fabric. ZnO is known for its antibacterial properties and has been approved by the FDA as safe. Nanoparticles of ZnO eradicates even antibiotic resistant bacteria such as MRSA. The technology, which has been patented in the US and Israel, and is awaiting approval in Europe and Asia was developed by Professor Aharon Gedanken from the Department of Chemistry at Bar Ilan University, Israel, with funding of €12 million from the EU's FP7 program.

It is based on sonochemistry, an extremely effective method to coat surfaces with nanoparticles. ZnO nanoparticles are formed in the solution via a sonochemical process and subsequently to their creation they are thrown to the textile's surface. During the sonochemical process, molecules undergo a chemical reaction due to the application of powerful ultrasound radiation (20KHz-10MHz). The physical phenomenon responsible for the sonochemical process is acoustic cavitation. During the acoustic cavitation, bubbles are formed in the liquid, and continuously grow, until they reach a maximum size in which they collapse. When a bubble collapses near a solid surface, microjets of the liquid are formed moving at a very high speed (>500 m/sec). These microjets throw the newly-formed NPs (ZnO) at the surface of the substrate (the textile) at such a high speed that they strongly adhere to the surface.

The novel technology enables the cost-effective creation of antibacterial fabrics using any desired fabric, without changing its appearance, since ZnO is colorless. In addition, the fabrics can withstand up to 65 wash cycles at 92 °C and up to 100 wash cycles at 75 °C, far beyond the standard requirements of medical facilities, without losing their antibacterial properties. The process and these findings have been described in an article published by Prof. Gedanken's lab, in the scientific journal Cellulose.  

"The main advantages of the technology is that it can apply anti-bacterial properties to any kind of readymade fabric, the treatment does not at all alter the fabric's color, and the entire process is extremely cost-effective," explains Prof. Aharon Gedanken. "In a hospital setting, for example, our technology can be used for inserting anti-bacterial characteristics to staff uniforms, patients' pajamas, linen, blankets and curtains, in order to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality and in parallel reduce hospitalization costs."

Lilac Mandeles, President, Nano Textile, stated, "After establishing proof-of-concept, we are now in the process of raising the necessary capital to begin operations. The potential for our antibacterial fabric technology reaches far beyond medical applications, as it is relevant to a variety of industries such as airplanes, trains and luxury cars in the transportation industry; babywear, sports clothing and undergarments in the clothing industry, restaurants and hotels in the entertainment and tourist industries."

Nano Textile won the second place at the China Medical Tech Competition that took place last month, at the Tel Aviv stock Exchange. Twenty startups out of nearly 100 applicants participated in the event, out of which the judges selected the three most innovative medical technology companies that got a free trip to China to participate in the final competition in August. Vadi Ventures co-organized the contest together with Chinese Cybernuat Fund and Delloite Israel supported the event.  

About Bacterial Infections 

Bacterial infections acquired during hospitalization are a major cause of illness and death. The WHO estimated that over 500 million people worldwide are infected during hospitalization, a high percentage of which are caused by highly resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. These infections not only take a toll of approximately 14 million lives worldwide per year, but also pose a significant financial burden by increasing hospitalization by 8 days on average per affected patient. Hospital related costs in Europe alone are estimated at $12 billion per year.

About Nano Textile 

Nano Textile's proprietary technology can apply anti-bacterial properties to any fabric. The Company was established in 2014, based on nanotechnology developed by Professor Aharon Gedanken from the Department of Chemistry at Bar Ilan University, Israel and was licensed under an exclusive world-wide agreement with BIRAD, the technology transfer office of Bar Ilan University. For more information, please visit our website at http://nano-textile.com/

Media Contact:
Tsipi Haitovsky
Global Media Liaison
Nano Textile Ltd.
+972-59-598-9892
[email protected]

SOURCE Nano Textile