Non-destructive evaluation of functional fabrics
Inventors
France, Christopher Brian • Ellis, William Wallace • Clapsaddle, Brady • Bell, William • Cook, Ronald
Assignees
Publication Number
US-9476159-B2
Publication Date
2016-10-25
Expiration Date
2035-03-20
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method for determining the functionality remaining in a functional fabric, the method comprising the steps of: providing a used functional fabric having a known original functionality, a current wear, and a current unknown functionality, providing a light source, providing a detector, optically measuring the current wear using the light source and the detector, and evaluating the current unknown functionality using a correlation that expresses the current unknown functionality as a function of the current wear, optionally the detector further comprises a digital camera, and wherein the method further comprises the step of: obtaining a magnified image of the functional fabric and quantifying the fractal dimension using a box-method fractal analysis on the image. The method may be applied the insecticide treated fabrics.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method for determining the functionality remaining in a functional fabric by optically measuring the current wear of the fabric and evaluating the unknown functionality using a correlation with wear. The process involves providing a used functional fabric (with known original functionality but unknown current functionality), a light source, and a detector. The current wear is optically measured using the light source and detector, and the current unknown functionality is then determined using a correlation that relates functionality to wear.
This method optionally involves measuring reflectance or transmittance of light (with specific angular alignment) from or through the fabric, and can utilize light sources of various wavelengths, including ultraviolet, visible, and infrared. The method may use a digital camera, such as a smartphone camera paired with a micro-lens attachment, to obtain a magnified image of the fabric. Fractal dimension is quantified from these images using a box-method fractal analysis, which is then correlated with the remaining functionality, such as insect repellency, insect mortality or antimicrobial activity.
The background identifies the need for a simple, non-destructive, rapid, and inexpensive test to assay the remaining functionality of functional fabrics, which overcomes the limitations of destructive methods and direct biological tests. Current methods are expensive, time-consuming, may damage the fabric, and often require specialized resources or chemical reagents. The present invention enables a non-destructive, field-deployable assessment that is applicable to multiple points on a fabric item, allowing users to make informed decisions on continued use or replacement.
Claims Coverage
There is one independent claim that defines the main inventive features of the method for determining functionality remaining in a functional fabric.
Non-destructive method for assessing remaining functionality in functional fabrics
The method comprises: 1. Providing a used functional fabric with known original functionality, current wear, and an unknown current functionality, where the functionality is insect repellency, insect mortality, insect knockdown or antimicrobial activity. 2. Providing a light source. 3. Providing a detector. 4. Optically measuring the current wear of the fabric using the light source and the detector. 5. Evaluating the current unknown functionality using a correlation that expresses the current unknown functionality versus the current wear. This inventive feature enables indirect determination of remaining functional performance using optical measurements—without damaging the fabric or requiring direct chemical or biological testing.
The claim covers a method using optical measurement and correlation with wear to evaluate functional fabric performance for specific functionalities, providing a non-destructive alternative to traditional methods.
Stated Advantages
The method is simple, inexpensive, and rapid, allowing for quick assessment in the laboratory or field.
It does not damage the fabric, enabling continued use if adequate functionality remains.
No consumable supplies, expensive equipment, or specialized resources are required.
The method allows evaluation at multiple locations on an item, increasing reliability for items like garments exposed to variable wear.
Documented Applications
Assaying the remaining functionality of insecticide-treated fabrics, such as permethrin- or bifenthrin-treated U.S. military uniforms.
Evaluating antimicrobial activity in functional fabrics, potentially including use in medical apparel to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
Assessing water-repellent clothing, permanent press clothing, and insect-protective bednets for their remaining functional effectiveness.
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