Biotechnology and environmental technology
Warp-knitted 3D structure, unsilvered (left) and silvered (right) for use in water technology applications
In the area of medical and biotextiles, the ITM co-operates with companies in joint industrial research and in a number of bilateral research and development projects. All projects are focused on the development of new technologies and products and the improvement of existing ones. Clean drinking water is one of the most important resources. However, only few have unlimited access to it. Even in highly developed, European countries, faucet water is not always directly potable. Therefore, the ITM works in national and international industry-supported research to develop eco-friendly dyeing methods (like dyeing in supercritical carbon dioxide) and to minimize microbiological pollution in graywater and raw water, using 2D and 3D structures produced and silvered at the institute.
First products are already successfully being used in water technology applications. Experiments regarding the immobilization of enzymes on conventional textiles and on materials made from sustainable sources (e.g. Chitosan) are being performed for a specific use in this area.
Further research in environmental and biotechnology is focused on bifunctional interface design for all types of textile material , using resource-efficient and eco-friendly methods like plasma technology and gas-phase treatment. The physical/chemical modifications allow specific, requirement-adapted functionalizations and properties. The resulting textile material structures are used for medical textiles, including regenerative medicine, textile-based sewage purification, or textile architecture with high energy efficiency. This very practice-oriented research has already been transferred into real-life applications.
Contact person:
© Mirko Krziwon
Ms Dr.-Ing. Iris Kruppke
Research Group Leader Textile Chemistry & Finishing
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Visiting address:
Breitscheidstraße 78, House D, Room 1.1.10
01237 Dresden