A fabric is treated by applying a nanoparticle type coating to improve their resistance to contamination by foreign matter. The coating is applied during fabric manufacture and cured during heat setting. Alternatively, the coating applied or renewed by utilizing an existing shower or locating a spray boom or other suitable coating application device to apply the coating to the fabric in a controlled, uniform manner. Prior to application of the coating, the fabric is first thoroughly cleaned such as by showering or spraying, and then dried. Following controlled application of the coating, any excess material is removed by a suitable means, such as by vacuum, and the remaining coating on the fabric is then cured, either by utilizing the ambient heat of the equipment or by a portable bank of heaters. In this manner, the fabric does not have to be removed from the machine in order to apply or renew the contaminant resistant coating.

Provided are a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional textile reinforcement material and a method of constructing a textile reinforced concrete structure using a three-dimensional textile reinforcement material. A two-dimensional grid is bent into a three-dimensional shape using a two-dimensionally woven or knitted textile grid, and the bent grid is coupled with at least one two-dimensional grid, and thus the three-dimensional textile reinforcement material can be simply and easily formed. The three-dimensional textile reinforcement material can be formed by coating the coupled two-dimensional grid and a three-dimensional grid with a thermosetting resin and curing the coupled grids to support a concrete pouring pressure. The three-dimensional textile reinforcement material is formed in a truss material, and the three-dimensional textile reinforcement material with high bending strength can be manufactured, thus a concrete pouring pressure can be supported when a textile reinforced concrete structure is constructed using the three-dimensional textile reinforcement material.

A process is disclosed for modifying citrus fiber. Citrus fiber is obtained having a c* close packing concentration value of less than 3.8 w %, anhydrous basis. The citrus fiber can have a viscosity of at least 1000 mPa.Math.s, wherein said citrus fiber is dispersed in standardized water at a mixing speed of from 800 rpm to 1000 rpm, to a 3 w/w % citrus fiber/standardized water solution, and wherein said viscosity is measured at a shear rate of 5 s1 at 20 C. Citrus fiber can be obtained having a CIELAB L* value of at least 90. The citrus fiber can be used in food products, feed products, beverages, personal care products, pharmaceutical products or detergent products.

A process is disclosed for modifying citrus fiber. Citrus fiber is obtained having a c* close packing concentration value of less than 3.8 w %, anhydrous basis. The citrus fiber can have a viscosity of at least 1000 mPa.Math.s, wherein said citrus fiber is dispersed in standardized water at a mixing speed of from 800 rpm to 1000 rpm, to a 3 w/w % citrus fiber/standardized water solution, and wherein said viscosity is measured at a shear rate of 5 s1 at 20 C. Citrus fiber can be obtained having a CIELAB L* value of at least 90. The citrus fiber can be used in food products, feed products, beverages, personal care products, pharmaceutical products or detergent products.

The present invention relates to the development of carbon fiber carbon nanotubes reinforced polymer composites for high strength structural applications. It is very difficult to incorporate higher amount of carbon fiber >60 vol % in any of the polymer matrix. Beyond this loading the mechanical properties of these composite starts deteriorate. Therefore, further improvement in the mechanical properties is not possible. Herein, a novel method is developed to fabricate the hybrid carbon fiber epoxy composites reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The flexural strength of the hybrid composites (45 vol % CF+CNT) was achieved more than 600 MPa which is more than 35% over pure carbon fiber/epoxy composites (50 vol % CF). These high strength hybrid composites can be used in wind mill blades, turbine blades, sport industries, automobile and airframe.

The present invention relates to the development of carbon fiber carbon nanotubes reinforced polymer composites for high strength structural applications. It is very difficult to incorporate higher amount of carbon fiber >60 vol % in any of the polymer matrix. Beyond this loading the mechanical properties of these composite starts deteriorate. Therefore, further improvement in the mechanical properties is not possible. Herein, a novel method is developed to fabricate the hybrid carbon fiber epoxy composites reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The flexural strength of the hybrid composites (45 vol % CF+CNT) was achieved more than 600 MPa which is more than 35% over pure carbon fiber/epoxy composites (50 vol % CF). These high strength hybrid composites can be used in wind mill blades, turbine blades, sport industries, automobile and airframe.

A cut surface smoothing device which can smooth the cut surface of a filament three-dimensional bonded member is provided. The cut surface smoothing device includes a high temperature portion which is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the filament three-dimensional bonded member, and the high temperature portion is applied to the cut surface of the filament three-dimensional bonded member to smooth the cut surface.

A cut surface smoothing device which can smooth the cut surface of a filament three-dimensional bonded member is provided. The cut surface smoothing device includes a high temperature portion which is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the filament three-dimensional bonded member, and the high temperature portion is applied to the cut surface of the filament three-dimensional bonded member to smooth the cut surface.

A textile material is described herein that is manufactured with antimicrobial compounds in such a manner to chemically bind or attach the compounds to the textile material, and a treated textile material is also described herein which performs as a disinfectant or sterilizer on its own. The treated textile material exhibits wash-durability and non-leaching properties. The process includes an exhaust process cycle including the steps of treating the textile material using an exhaust process, where the liquor includes one or more antimicrobial agents, and subjecting the treated textile material to a heat treatment. A device for purifying water is also described, which can operate based on gravity and without electricity.

A textile material is described herein that is manufactured with antimicrobial compounds in such a manner to chemically bind or attach the compounds to the textile material, and a treated textile material is also described herein which performs as a disinfectant or sterilizer on its own. The treated textile material exhibits wash-durability and non-leaching properties. The process includes an exhaust process cycle including the steps of treating the textile material using an exhaust process, where the liquor includes one or more antimicrobial agents, and subjecting the treated textile material to a heat treatment. A device for purifying water is also described, which can operate based on gravity and without electricity.