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| Nano silver particles |
This weeks topic caught my attention because nanotechnology is something that I encounter in my everyday life. I found the use of nano silver to be especially interesting. Silver has been used for hundreds of years for its antibacterial properties, even before people fully understood what bacteria was. Ancient European nobilities used silver tableware as a way to prevent food poisoning. Settlers would place silver in their water and milk jugs to prevent spoilage (Nowack). Although people have been taking advantage of silver for a long time, the use of nano silver has only been present for about a hundred years, and more recently it has become popular in activewear.
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| A nanosilver textile |
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This is one of Lululemon's
Silverscent tanktops |
Companies are now sewing nano silver into their garments because of its antibacterial properties. As activewear becomes more and more of a in the modern wardrobe, the demand for high quality, longer lasting pieces has increased. It is very common in items that undergo heavy use and sweat, like athletic socks. Prominent and respected brands are taking advantage of this demand for nano silver by structuring entire product lines around it. Lululemon has manufactured a line called Silverscent, featuring beautiful workout clothes that may last much longer that conventional gear because of its antibacterial nature.They claim that "silver stops the stink causing bacteria that occur when you sweat from reproducing - permanently. Silver releases positive ions that are attracted to the bacteria's negatively charged ions" (lululemon.com). With the use of nano silver, clothes and fabrics can be more utilitarian and beautiful because of their durability. I expect the use of nano silver to continue to grow in the coming years and I look forward to seeing what can be created with the collaboration of scientists and designers.
Sources:
Böttcher, Constanze. "Nanosilver in textiles – friend or foe?." Phys.org - News and Articles on Science and Technology. Phys.org, 12 Apr 2013. Web. <http://phys.org/news/2013-04-nanosilver-textiles-friend-foe.html>.
Erwin, Vernon. "A Nanosilver Bullet against Tooth Decay? | The Holistic Dentist." The Holistic Dentist | The blog of P. Vernon Erwin, DDS, inc.. 23 Jul 2010. Web. <http://theholisticdentist.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/nanosilver-toothpaste/>.
Jannuzzi, John. "The Truth About Anti-Stink Gym Gear | GQ." Men's Fashion, Style, Grooming, Fitness, Lifestyle, News & Politics | GQ. Condé Nast, 23 Apr 2015. Web. <http://www.gq.com/story/anti-odor-gym-clothes>.
"Nanosilver: A new name -- well-known effects -- ScienceDaily." ScienceDaily: Your source for the latest research news. ScienceDaily, 31 Jan 2011. Web. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110131133005.htm
Nowack, Bernd, Harald Krug and Murray Height. "120 Years of Nanosilver History: Implications for Policy Makers - Environmental Science & Technology (ACS Publications)." ACS Pulblications. ACS, 10 Jan 2011. Web. <http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es103316q>.
"Silverescent® | lululemon athletica." Yoga clothes + running gear | lululemon athletica. Lululemon, Web. <http://info.lululemon.com/design/fabrics-technology/silverescent>.
"What is Nano Silver? | Nano Silver ." Nano Silver . NSM, Web. <http://www.nanosilver.com.my/nano-tech-facts/what-is-nano-silver/>.
"Yoga Tanks | Running + Training Tanks | lululemon athletica." Yoga clothes + running gear | lululemon athletica. Web. <http://shop.lululemon.com/c/women-tanks/_/N-81a>.
I really like how you talked about the use of nano silver in clothing. I was not aware that this was a design technique and i think its really interesting how clothing can employ such sophisticated technology and be so efficient.
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