Editorial: Nanotextiles--Reality or Buzzword?

The term ?nano? is in danger of becoming a buzzword. Strictly, as a prefix it indicates a factor of 10-9?or one billionth. Thus a nanometre is one billionth of a metre. However, the term is being widely misused?often simply to capture the headlines.

In the popular press, claims are being made that some hair loss treatments make use of ?nanofibres?. The validity of such claims seems dubious to say the least. Indeed, if the claims were true, such treatments could be hazardous to use as they could be highly toxic.

Misuse of the term ?nano? even extends to patent literature?a field where accuracy is paramount. It is not hard to find, for example, patents with ?nano? in the title which actually refer to particles of 1,200 nanometres (nm) or 1.2 microns in size. These are too big to come under the strict definition of nanotechnology, which is concerned with materials of 100 nm or below. Patent lawyers who allow such abuses to appear in the public domain have a lot to answer for.

In the academic world, too, there are researchers who consider that any work taking place on the microscale ought to carry the prefix ?nano?, whether the work involves materials below 100 nm in size or not. One commentator frankly admits that the mention of ?nano? may provide the key to obtaining research funding.

Used in its proper sense, the prefix ?nano? can apply to any type of unit. In practice it is most commonly associated with time (nanoseconds) or length (nanometres). Of these, length is more frequently encountered.

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• Performance apparel markets: product developments and innovations, 1st quarter 2007, (1st Quarter 2007)
• Innovations in fibres, technical textiles, apparel and machinery, 4th quarter 2006, (4th quarter 2006)
• Innovations in fibres, textiles, apparel and machinery, November-December 2006, (November-December 2006)
• Nanotechnology-Based Technical Textiles in Consumer Products, (1st quarter 2006)
• Trends and Developments in Chemicals for the Technical Textile Industry, (1st quarter 2006)
• Textile outlook international: profile of Nano-Tex: a leader in nanotechnology-based textile treatments, September-October 2005, ( September-October 2005)
• Innovative Products Based on High-Tech Textiles, (2nd quarter 2004)

Four times a year, Technical Textile Markets provides an overview of the global man-made fibre, nonwoven and technical textile industries. It provides market data and analysis of new and established markets for technical textiles, and is essential reading for senior executives in (or supplying) the man-made fibre, nonwoven and technical textile sectors ? as well as for those who are not involved in the industry on a day-to-day basis, but who need an authoritative source which helps them to quickly gain an understanding of the key issues facing the companies which are actively involved in this fast-growing sector.
Reports in Technical Textile Markets include:
	company and country profiles ? giving you the opportunity to learn from strategies employed by others, in terms of production, sourcing, import/export, infrastructure and development, and plans for the future.
	profiles of the world's top 40 producers of nonwovens ? updated each year with details of developments from each of the leading producers, including acquisitions, investments and divestments, and analyses of trends which the "rising stars" are using to their advantage.
	statistical reports ? including consumption data, by fibre and end-use applications. Regular updates are published for fibre consumption in Japan, the rest of Asia, the USA, and Western Europe.
	market sector information ? analyses of important commercial end-user applications, and profiles of both established and emerging markets which take into account such innovations and developments as nanotechnology and intelligent textiles.
	regular updates on innovations in fibres, technical textiles, apparel and machinery ? including developments in the following categories: fibres and yarns; technical textile fabrics for industrial applications; machinery; technical textiles for apparel; composites; other technical textile products; and technical textile treatments and finishes.
	reports on new technological developments and other topical issues ? with clear, authoritative comments on their economic and commercial significance. The reports bring to your attention the key issues which you can use to develop your business, and provides contact details of useful organisations.
So whether you are involved in man-made fibres, nonwovens or technical textiles ? in manufacturing, converting, import/export, or end use ? or if you are in education or consultancy or investment or finance ? a subscription to Technical Textile Markets will tell you what you need to know about the key trends in the industry.
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