The present disclosure provides a preparation method of a plasma-treated nanofiber-based hydrogen gas sensing material, including the following steps: (1) stirring a mixed solution of absolute ethanol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), N, N-dimethylformamide, SnCl.sub.2.H.sub.2O, and Zn(CH.sub.3COO).sub.2.2H.sub.2O uniformly on a constant-temperature magnetic stirrer to obtain a spinning solution; (2) electrospinning the spinning solution and depositing on an aluminum foil to obtain a spinning fiber; (3) annealing the spinning fiber in a muffle furnace to obtain a hydrogen gas sensing material sample; and (4) subjecting the hydrogen gas sensing material sample to a vacuum argon plasma treatment with a Hall ion source to obtain the nanofiber-based hydrogen gas sensing material. In the method, nanofibers are prepared by electrospinning and subjected to the vacuum argon plasma treatment through the Hall ion source. The prepared sensing material has an extremely large specific surface area, and gas-sensing properties of rapid response and high sensitivity to hydrogen gas.

The invention relates to a method for producing an antimicrobial fabric or yarn, said method comprising the steps of immersing a fabric or yarn in an aqueous solution of a metal salt whilst simultaneously subjecting said solution to ultrasonic radiation; and removing the fabric or yarn from said solution and subsequently converting the metal salt in situ in the fabric or yarn into metal oxide nanoparticles, preferably via chemical and heat treatment. Fabrics and yarns obtained or obtainable by such method are also provided. In a further aspect the invention provides an apparatus for performing such method.

The invention relates to a method for producing an antimicrobial fabric or yarn, said method comprising the steps of immersing a fabric or yarn in an aqueous solution of a metal salt whilst simultaneously subjecting said solution to ultrasonic radiation; and removing the fabric or yarn from said solution and subsequently converting the metal salt in situ in the fabric or yarn into metal oxide nanoparticles, preferably via chemical and heat treatment. Fabrics and yarns obtained or obtainable by such method are also provided. In a further aspect the invention provides an apparatus for performing such method.

A method of spreading fiber tows includes applying a coupling medium to a surface of a fibrous structure, positioning an ultrasonic probe adjacent to the surface of a fibrous structure, such that a tip of the ultrasonic probe is in contact with the coupling medium, moving at least one of the ultrasonic probe and the fabric structure relative to the other of the ultrasonic probe and the fibrous structure according to a first pattern, and imparting ultrasonic vibration with the ultrasonic probe to the surface of the fibrous structure while moving the ultrasonic probe along the surface of the fibrous structure. Imparting ultrasonic vibration to the surface of the fibrous structure spreads tows of the fibrous structure.

A method for providing a bio-active layer on a surface, includes the steps of: a) ionizing a plasma gas at low temperature of 150° C. or lower, and at about atmospheric pressure, thereby creating a plasma; b) introducing a precursor into said plasma; c) exposing the surface to said plasma comprising said precursor, thereby forming a coating onto the surface. The precursors include a biological pathogen transfer inhibiting compound.

A surface-treated carbon fiber having a mole ratio between a carboxyl group and an acid anhydride of 50:50 to 70:30 when measured by pyrolysis gas analysis, is manufactured by spraying a reactive gas that has been made into a plasma onto the surface of a carbon fiber and introducing a functional group into the surface of the carbon fiber.

A surface-treated carbon fiber having a mole ratio between a carboxyl group and an acid anhydride of 50:50 to 70:30 when measured by pyrolysis gas analysis, is manufactured by spraying a reactive gas that has been made into a plasma onto the surface of a carbon fiber and introducing a functional group into the surface of the carbon fiber.

There is provided an impregnated natural fiber including a cuticle and an interior lumen, the cuticle circumscribing the interior lumen; and insoluble particulates possessing a preselected property embedded in the fiber. The particulates comprise at least 0.1-30 wt. % of the impregnated fiber and the particulates are embedded on the cuticle and within the lumen of the fiber. The fiber has an increased strength, micronaire value and rate of water absorption. Also provided is a system for surface treating cellulose sliver fibers. The system includes a vessel containing a moist paste which comprises at least one particulate material possessing one or more preselected desired properties, a thickening agent and water. The paste from the vessel is dispensed directly onto sliver fiber ribbon(s). A bore sonotrode generates ultrasonic waves which embed the particulate material(s) in the sliver fibers.

Fabrication of ballistic resistant fibrous composites having improved ballistic resistance properties. More particularly, ballistic resistant fibrous composites having high interlaminar lap shear strength between component fiber plies or fiber layers, which correlates to low composite backface signature. The high lap shear strength, low backface signature composites are useful for the production of hard armor articles, including helmet armor.

Fabrication of ballistic resistant fibrous composites having improved ballistic resistance properties. More particularly, ballistic resistant fibrous composites having high interlaminar lap shear strength between component fiber plies or fiber layers, which correlates to low composite backface signature. The high lap shear strength, low backface signature composites are useful for the production of hard armor articles, including helmet armor.