While polymers and clothing, quite literally, share a common thread — think polyester — University of Akron polymer scientist Dr. Darrell Reneker never imagined his expertise in polymer electrospinning would pique interest in the fashion world. But it has.

Reneker, pictured at right, received an invitation from Guoliang Zhao, professor and head of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, to present his research before an audience of the world’s leading textile researchers. As part of the Forum on Advanced Textile Materials and Processing’s Oct. 15 celebration of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, Reneker will join other top scholars and experts internationally, offering his knowledge and insight on issues impacting the textile industry.

Reneker, a leading international expert on electrospun coils, says that the variety and properties of small-diameter fibers available to fabric designers have increased greatly due to research in polymer electrospinning conducted at UA during the past decade.

"In particular, the propensity of electrospun fibers to coil in several ways is generating new concepts for the hierarchical design of pleasing fabrics," Reneker says. "A few electrospun fibers, cleverly deployed in contemporary fabrics, can provide a large and expanding group of novel functions that could not previously be achieved."

Reneker adds that fabrics that include fibers with diameters much smaller than textile fibers promise to enhance the softness, colorful appearance, the moisture permeation, heat transmission and generation of pleasant odors. He adds that despite such desirable attributes, nanofibers rarely have been used for clothing fabric due to the need for wider recognition of the possibilities.

Reneker, who has more than 40 issued U.S. patents and pending patent applications, has applied his nanotechnology expertise, in cooperation with University of Akron colleagues, to develop bandages for slow-healing wounds, ceramic nanofibers for catalytic filters and other innovations.

Media contact: Denise Henry, 330-972-6477 or henryd@uakron.edu.