Thaindian News

Sydney, Sep 15 (IANS) Researchers have discovered a way to strengthen plastic nanofibres or ultra-fine fibres, with one of the world’s strongest materials, carbon. The added strength could lead to new uses of nanofibres.
Minoo Naebe from Deakin University, whose research resulted in the discovery, said:

“Although polymer nanofibres have a certain strength, they have not been strong enough for some potential applications.”

“Our research looked at how carbon nanotubes — tiny graphite tubes which are one of the strongest materials ever discovered — could be used to strengthen polymer nanofibres,” she said.

“Polymer nanofibres are created through a process called electro-spinning, which uses an electrical charge to draw very fine fibres from a liquid, in this case polymer solution.”

“I think polymer nanofibre technology, like the internet, will revolutionise the way we live. It has the potential to improve technologies in medicine, energy, security, the environment and more,” Naebe said.

“Tiny, powerful batteries; clothing that protects against chemical and biological hazards; filters to purify air; tissue scaffold implants to help repair injuries — all of these are potential nanofibre applications,” she said.

Some of the potential applications Naebe describes seem more exotic than others. “Who knows, perhaps one day nanofibres strengthened with carbon nanotubes will help real ’spider’ men to soar!”

“We found that nanofibre strength is increased even further through simple post-manufacture treatments like soaking them in alcohol, making nanofibres 400 percent stronger than previously possible,” Naebe said.