Nano apparel prevents colds and flu

Fashion designers and fibre scientists at Cornell University have designed a garment that can prevent colds and flu and never needs washing. The team has also created another that destroys harmful gases and protects the wearer from smog and air pollution.

The two-toned gold dress and metallic denim jacket, featured at the April 21 Cornell Design League fashion show, contain cotton fabrics coated with nanoparticles that give them functional qualities never before seen in the fashion world.

Designed by Olivia Ong in the College of Human Ecology's Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design, the garments were infused with their unusual qualities by fibre science assistant professor Juan Hinestroza and his postdoctoral researcher Hong Dong. Apparel design assistant professor Van Dyke Lewis launched the collaboration by introducing Ong to Hinestroza several months ago.

‘We think this is one of the first times that nanotechnology has entered the fashion world,’ Hinestroza said. He noted one drawback may be the garments' price: one square yard of nano-treated cotton would cost about $10,000.