Nanotechnology in The Driver’s Seat of Sportswear Industry: A Review of Current Trends and Future Applications

Geetika Jaiswal¹, Vikas Saxena² and Avinash C Pandey³*

Received: July 09, 2018;   Published: July 17, 2018

DOI: 10.32474/LTTFD.2018.02.000143

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Abstract

Nanotechnology is considered as one of the most pioneering technologies of 21st century. The desire for sportswear with enhanced performance, efficiency and durability has existed for several years. Nanotechnological developments in textile industry has paved the way to fulfilling these desires. It has helped in overcoming the drawbacks of traditional processing techniques of sportswear industry. Introduction of nanotechnology has opened new opportunities of manufacturing functional and smart textiles that not only serve unique needs of sport activities but also aid athletes in achieving high performance with highest level of comfort and safety. Nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNT), silver nanowires, graphene and other 2D materials shall be used for incorporating electronic devices into clothing for the future development of wearable electronics for implementation in performance monitoring (in-situ).

The smart convergence of textiles, electronics and informatics shall harness improvements in sensors, flexible & printable electronics and energy devices. This shall open opportunities for much other new functionality such as energy storage and harvesting capabilities, biological functions, antimicrobial properties necessarily required for sportswear by way of integration of electronic components and sensors viz. heat and humidity with high strength, flexible and electrically conductive textiles. Taking a cue from the current trend of use of nanotechnology in the sportswear industry it is expected that a technological revolution is imminent soon. Some of the important properties imparted into sport-apparels by nanotechnology are thoroughly discussed. An overview of the recent developments and current trends pertaining to the use of nanotechnology in sportswear industry, its shortcomings and future perspective and current trends are given.

Keywords: Nanotechnology; Sportswear; Functional Textiles; Smart and Intelligent Textiles

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