Self-cleaning clothes

By Natalia Mackenzie

The Research: In the near future, washing machines might become obsolete. Scientists at Monash University in Australia are now developing clothes that can clean themselves. Researchers coated cloth fibers with nanocrystals of titanium dioxide, nanoparticles that when exposed to light, produce certain chemicals that eliminate food and dirt by converting them into carbon dioxide and water. 

Advantages: Nanocrystals are highly efficient in banishing dirt because they are extremely small. The smaller the size of the particles, the higher the efficiency of the crystals to break up food when exposed to light. The tiny size of the nanocrystals also helps them distribute evenly on the fibers and improves the durability of the binging of the particles to the surface. Self-cleaning materials will be environmental friendly and energy saving as there is no need of washing with detergents or water. This idea can apply to any type of materials to maintain it bacteria-free, clean and odorless. 

Next steps: Self- cleaning technology works when exposed to Ultra Violet light but not visible light. Researchers are now focus on maximizing the ability of nanocrystals to break up food when exposed to normal daylight. Scientists involved in this research anticipate that self-cleaning fibrous materials can be commercialized within 5 years.

"Self-cleaning Keratins" Chemistry of Materials, 20, 1242-1244, 2008.

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