An Innovative Spinning System for Chitosan Yarn

Overview

Chitosan is an excellent material in term of its properties of biocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxicity, and excellent absorption. This project develops an innovative spinning system for chitosan yarn with better mechanical properties, less wastage, and lower cost.

Technical name of innovation

An Innovative Spinning System for Chitosan Yarn

Research completion

2016

Commercialisation opportunities

Technology licensing

Problem addressed

In current method of spinning chitosan fibres, there is static electricity generated between the spinning roller and the fibres. This static electricity would break fibres, resulting in more wastage and thus there is no technology to spin 100% chitosan yarn. All these technological limitation attribute to the high cost of chitosan fibres.

Innovation

Application of triboelectric electrostatic theory to eliminate the existing spinning limitation of chitosan yarn
Fibre derived from the new spinning system retains all the biodegradable, biocompatible and antibacterial properties

Key impact

Providing a solution for spinning process of chitosan and its blends that meet antibacterial requirement
Achieving an unprecedent production of 100% chitosan yarns with sufficient length, strength, evenness and hairiness
Reducing the cost of Chitosan fibre and expanding its potential in full commercialisation

Award

Gold Medal in the 44th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (2016)

Application

Chitosan yarn spinning
Elderly healthcare textile products

Patent

16891073.5
16/079,634
201610141033.7
2016101011604

Website

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA)

Established in 2006, The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) is funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR government, and hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

HKRITA has achieved research deliverables over the years around our research clusters targeting in sustainability, industry advancement and social benefits through our centre-owned research teams and laboratories as well as collaborations with industry partners and institutions.

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