Systems and methods are provided that involve a subcritical water reaction to recycle the cellulose and polyester components of waste cotton and cotton/polyester blend textiles that would otherwise be discarded or disposed of. Specifically, the disclosed methods provide for treatment of the waste textiles to produce advanced materials including cellulose and terephthalic acid (TPA) with a low environmental impact. The cellulose and TPA that are produced are of a high quality allowing for production of regenerated cellulose and regenerated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) suitable for fiber spinning and textile applications.

Systems and methods are provided that involve a subcritical water reaction to recycle the cellulose and polyester components of waste cotton and cotton/polyester blend textiles that would otherwise be discarded or disposed of. Specifically, the disclosed methods provide for treatment of the waste textiles to produce advanced materials including cellulose and terephthalic acid (TPA) with a low environmental impact. The cellulose and TPA that are produced are of a high quality allowing for production of regenerated cellulose and regenerated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) suitable for fiber spinning and textile applications.

The present invention provides a fiber modifier composed of an internal olefin sulfonate having 17 or more and 24 or less carbons.

A method for preparing a high fluffiness down by multiple treatments with metal salts includes: degreasing a down sample with a degreasing agent; washing the down sample with water; oxidizing the down sample with an oxidizing agent; washing the down sample with water; conducting a first crosslinking treatment with basic zirconium sulfate; washing the down sample with water; conducting a second crosslinking treatment with basic aluminum sulfate; washing the down sample with water; and drying the down sample to obtain the high fluffiness down.

Silk coated and/or infused performance materials, apparel, and methods of preparing the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, silk performance apparel includes textiles, fabrics, consumer products, and other materials that are coated with aqueous solutions of pure silk fibroin-based protein fragments having low, medium, and/or high molecular weight in various ratios.

This invention provides antibacterial and antiviral compositions and methods. The compositions possess prolonged and powerful antibacterial/antiviral functions under light exposure and even under completely dark conditions, while daylight exposures could recharge the functions repeatedly. In some embodiments, compositions of the invention can be employed in personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks, biologically self-cleaning air and water filters, medical devices, and products. The biocidal PPE can prevent transmission of infectious diseases such as Ebola and respiratory viruses. In some embodiments, compositions of the invention can be employed in food protectant materials to provide antimicrobial and antiviral bio-protection during food transportation and storage.

This invention provides antibacterial and antiviral compositions and methods. The compositions possess prolonged and powerful antibacterial/antiviral functions under light exposure and even under completely dark conditions, while daylight exposures could recharge the functions repeatedly. In some embodiments, compositions of the invention can be employed in personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks, biologically self-cleaning air and water filters, medical devices, and products. The biocidal PPE can prevent transmission of infectious diseases such as Ebola and respiratory viruses. In some embodiments, compositions of the invention can be employed in food protectant materials to provide antimicrobial and antiviral bio-protection during food transportation and storage.

Functional agent-containing fibers according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a functional agent is supported by silicone fixed to the fibers. The silicone includes an acrylic-modified organopolysiloxane having two or more acrylic groups per molecule. A rate of decrease in the functional agent after the functional agent-containing fibers are washed 10 times is less than 40%. In the present invention, the functional agent-containing fibers may be produced, e.g., by irradiating fibers impregnated with a fiber treatment agent A containing silicone with an electron beam so that the silicone is fixed to the fibers, and impregnating the fibers to which the silicone has been fixed with a fiber treatment agent B containing a functional agent. The functional agent-containing fibers may be produced, e.g., by impregnating fibers with a fiber treatment agent C containing silicone and a functional agent and irradiating the fibers impregnated with the fiber treatment agent C with an electron beam so that the silicone is fixed to the fibers and the functional agent is supported by the silicone fixed to the fibers. Thus, functional agent-containing fibers having improved washing resistance and a method for producing the fibers are provided.

Functional agent-containing fibers according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a functional agent is supported by silicone fixed to the fibers. The silicone includes an acrylic-modified organopolysiloxane having two or more acrylic groups per molecule. A rate of decrease in the functional agent after the functional agent-containing fibers are washed 10 times is less than 40%. In the present invention, the functional agent-containing fibers may be produced, e.g., by irradiating fibers impregnated with a fiber treatment agent A containing silicone with an electron beam so that the silicone is fixed to the fibers, and impregnating the fibers to which the silicone has been fixed with a fiber treatment agent B containing a functional agent. The functional agent-containing fibers may be produced, e.g., by impregnating fibers with a fiber treatment agent C containing silicone and a functional agent and irradiating the fibers impregnated with the fiber treatment agent C with an electron beam so that the silicone is fixed to the fibers and the functional agent is supported by the silicone fixed to the fibers. Thus, functional agent-containing fibers having improved washing resistance and a method for producing the fibers are provided.

Systems and methods are provided that involve a subcritical water reaction to recycle the cellulose and polyester components of waste cotton and cotton/polyester blend textiles that would otherwise be discarded or disposed of. Specifically, the disclosed methods provide for treatment of the waste textiles to produce advanced materials including cellulose and terephthalic acid (TPA) with a low environmental impact. The cellulose and TPA that are produced are of a high quality allowing for production of regenerated cellulose and regenerated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) suitable for fiber spinning and textile applications.