Empa - a Research Institute of the ETH Domain
Health and Performance  
Nano-safety research
Biomaterials and Implants
Functionalized Fibers
Human Health Monitoring
Body Performance and Monitoring

Functionalized Fibers

Fibers represent an attractive, often anisotropic form of important material groups like polymers, ceramics, metals, cellulosic materials , or, nanomaterials. Typically we functionalize fibers by a suitable topological combination of multiple materials into one fiber. Our scientific and technological competences include polymer chemistry , polymer physics , additive chemistry , ceramic, extrusion processing , fiber coating technologies and specialized fiber analytics  and services. According to the areas of application of our work we are interested in four main topics:
High Performance Fibers

Fibers with specialized performance in specific application environments are generated here. Our work involves research on highly flexible fibers that conduct electronic signals (e-fibers) as well as optical signals (o-fibers), or, fibrous sensors, where we also develop special ceramic composite or functional polymer components with one or multiple electric contacts. Due to their high specific surface area, fibrous materials can enhance surface effects, for example they can help to run chemical reactions more efficiently. One example is the use of photocatalytic materials at fiber surfaces . Such textiles can reduce odors or other unwanted chemicals in the adjacent environment. Multi-component synthetic fibers are used in technical textile applications ; so have we helped to develop a novel 4th generation artificial turf that is used for football fields. Only with a suitable combination of two materials in a bicomponent fiber, one could reduce sliding friction while increasing the turf resilience.
Inorganic and Composite Fibers

Fibers containing inorganic materials are particularly interesting for technical applications. One of the earliest applications was the reinforcement in a composite material. For filtration and gas separation processes porous and dense hollow fibers are commonly used. Due to the high surface area nano fibers are also investigated at Empa for catalytic processes. Moreover, fibrous smart materials (e.g. piezoelectric or shape memory materials, as well as inorganic piezoresistive or magnetorheological composite material) are well suited as basis for sensor and actuator applications. Such smart fibers can readily be integrated in composite structures (e.g. active fiber composites). Remarkable applications for fiber composites include ultrasonic transducers, energy harvesting systems or structural health monitoring.
Fiber-Based Technology

Novel technologies or processes are sometimes needed in order to transfer new fiber developments into industry. We therefore maintain a vigorous spinning, processing and coating know-how together with the necessary facilities. Prominent examples include a unique tri-component melt spinning plant for the realization of different material combinations in fibrous forms , diverse low-pressure plasma processes and reactors for the treatment of fibers or fabrics, both of which have recently been transferred into industry ; extrusion and kneading processes that are used to mix additives and particles into polymer matrix for master-batch production or highly-loaded ceramic fibers as well as electro spinning facilities to produce fibers of nanometer dimensions with high specific surface area.
Green and Sustainable Additives and Coatings

Over the past few years there has been a strong interest in developing sustainable and environment friendly technologies for textile and other polymeric materials. These topics are embedded in our research group in terms of synthesis of novel halogen and formaldehyde free flame retardant molecules , the use of natural molecules for protective or functional surface treatments and durable UV curable coatings. Environmental issues such as use of solvents in processing of textiles, release of toxic substances from textiles (e.g. formaldehyde) are addressed. In medical applications, an inherent antibacterial effect often offers great advantages. Novel antibacterial approaches we work with include the use of silver ions , natural antimicrobial polymers and biomimetic biocides. In view of the declining materials resources we also investigate the use of bio-polymers for fiber spinning . This involves a range of materials - some of which are commercially available and some others first exist in dedicated laboratories of our collaborators.

 

Kontakt

Prof. Dr. Manfred Heuberger, Advanced Fibers
Tel. +41 58 765 78 78
manfred.heuberger@empa.ch

Dr. Frank Clemens
Tel. +41 58 765 78 21
Frank.clemens@empa.ch
Bi-component fibers can be used to combine beneficial material properties like mechanical resilience and low surface friction like in this 4th generation artificial turf.
Inorganic and composite fibers can exhibit a remarkable flexibility, which opens up attractice new fields of application.
Fibers pass through a low-pressure plasma reactor to acquire new functional properties. This process is free of solvents and economic in power consumption.
New additives, for example brome- and halogen- free flame retardant molecules, are environmentally friendlier, more sustainable and omit the release of toxic byproducts like formaldehyde.

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