Leonas, left, and Liu.
PULLMAN – Fabrics that keep health-care professionals safer are the subject of innovative research into a process called electrospinning by researchers in WSU’s Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles (AMDT).
Electrospinning is a method used to produce synthetic fabrics. It differs from other spinning processes in that electrical force, rather than mechanical, is used to draw out polymers. This can create extremely thin fibers called nanofibers.
Most other methods of fabric spinning can only produce microfibers, which are orders of magnitude larger than their nanofiber counterparts, said Hang Liu, a post-doctoral research associate in AMDT who is investigating the process.
There are many potential advantages in producing nanofibers through electrospinning.
“Perhaps the biggest advantage of nanofibers is the large surface-to-volume ratio,” Liu said.
The large ratio allows the fabrics to have excellent filtration properties. When high-efficiency filtration is applied to surgical gowns, the result is that fewer outside agents are able to permeate the gown, thus increasing safety for doctors and patients.
Electrospinning could be used in areas other than apparel. One of the greatest potential opportunities is for post-surgery sutures, Liu said.
Wounds could be stitched with an antimicrobial agent electrospun into the sutures, which would decrease site infections post-surgery. The antimicrobial agent could degrade along with the suture, and thereby be released slowly and systematically, said Karen Leonas, chair of AMDT.
“This can’t be done with other sutures because these have to be sealed with heat, which would in turn destroy the antimicrobial agent,” Leonas said.
A reduced chance of post-surgical site infection would lower insurance costs for hospitals and patients, Leonas said.
“But, just as important, there would be great psychological benefits to this research. If the family can be reassured that a loved one will be safe from surgical site infections, this lends a great value to the research,” she said.
This project has been Liu’s personal mission since 2004, when she began her research. Although the concept has come a long way, Liu said there is still much to be done in the study.
“I have a passion for this, and I hope to solve many problems,” she said.