The College of Human Ecology's Department of Fibre Science and Apparel Design has developed garments employing palladium coated nanoparticles in the weave that can protect the wearer from low level infections and limit the health impairing effects of air pollution.

Contained within the upper section of a two-colour gold dress and the pockets, hood and sleeves of a metallic denim jacket developed by the college are electrostatically charged palladium nanoparticles of five to ten nanometres in length, which act to shield wearers from flu, colds and smog.

Furthermore, thanks to the clothes' antibacterial qualities they will never need to be washed.

The clothes were developed by designer Olivia Ong, Professor Jaun Hinestroza and his postdoctoral researcher Hong Dong and form part of a line called Glitterati that was unveiled at the Cornell Design League Fashion Show.

Commenting on the collaboration, Ms Ong told Cornell University Chronicle: "It's something really moving toward the future, and really advanced. I thought this could potentially be what fashion is moving toward."

Source:

Student designer and fiber scientists create a dress that prevents colds and a jacket that destroys noxious gases, 01/05/07
http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/May07/nanofibers.fashion.aj.html


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