Submicron size fibers (so-called nanofibers) are easily produced with an electrospinning apparatus from polymer solutions of poly(ethylene oxide), poly(vinyl alcohol), and polyamide-6. Electrospinning seems the most powerful tool for fabricating polymer nanofibers. Fibers were directly deposited in the form of random fiber webs with high area-to-volume ratio and small porous size on ordinary nonwoven filters of PET microfibers. Morphology and diameter distribution of the electrospun filaments were characterized by SEM investigations. The flow resistance of the produced composite filters are evaluated by means of air permeability measurements. The electrospun fibers have diameters ranging from about 70—500 nm and are interconnected each other to form thin webs that have very small pore size. After the electrospinning treatment, the air permeability of the filter media decreases 6—17 times showing a significant change of flow resistance that can be controlled by the thickness of nanofibers layer and the pore size. High efficiency nano-microfibers composite filters could be used in a wide range of applications, ranging from air cleaning for automotive to environment conditioning or liquid filtration.

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Background Far-infrared-emitting garments have several biological properties including the capability to increase blood perfusion in irradiated tissues. Design The aim of the study was to evaluate whether far-infrared radiation increases exercise capacity and delays anaerobic metabolism in healthy subjects. Methods With a double-blind, crossover protocol, a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test was performed in 20 volunteers, wearing far-infrared or common sport clothes, identical in texture and colour. Results Comparing far-infrared with placebo garments, higher oxygen uptake at peak of exercise and longer endurance time were observed (peak oxygen uptake 38.0 ± 8.9 vs. 36.2 ± 8.5 ml/kg/min, endurance time 592 ± 85 vs. 570 ± 71 seconds; P < 0.01); the anaerobic threshold was significantly delayed (anaerobic threshold time 461 ± 93 vs. 417 ± 103 seconds) and anaerobic threshold oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold oxygen pulse were significantly higher (25.3 ± 6.4 vs. 20.9 ± 5.4 ml/kg/min and 13.3 ± 3.8 vs. 12.4 ± 3.3 ml/beat, respectively). In 10 subjects the blood lactate concentration was measured every 2 minutes during exercise and at peak; lower values were observed with far-infrared fabrics compared to placebo from the eighth minute of exercise, reaching a significant difference at 10 minutes (3.6 ± 0.83 vs. 4.4 ± 0.96 mmol/l; P = 0.02). Conclusions In healthy subjects, exercising with a far-infrared outfit is associated with an improvement in exercise performance and a delay in anaerobic metabolism. In consideration of the acknowledged non-thermic properties of functionalised clothes, these effects could be mediated by an increase in oxygen peripheral delivery secondary to muscular vasodilation. These data suggest the need for testing far-infrared-emitting garments in patients with exercise limitation or in chronic cardiovascular and respiratory patients engaged in rehabilitation programmes.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to consider the thermal-physiological comfort performances of a sport shirt made of a polyester (PES) fabric with incorporated activated carbon. After having characterized the modified PES fabric in Part I, the results of a wear trial campaign are shown and discussed in this work. Design/methodology/approach -The wear trials have been carried out under a controlled physical activity. A short-and-intense effort and an intermittent effort of milder intensity were carried out twice by each volunteer: once wearing a shirt made of the modified PES fabric and the other one wearing an analogous shirt made of a conventional PES fabric. Findings -When sweating was moderate, the modified PES shirt was judged as more comfortable on the average. As the effort became harder, the modified PES fabric turned out to be less comfortable than the conventional one. In the final recovery stage, the conventional PES was still more comfortable than the modified PES. This behaviour was justified according to the findings of Part I: at the beginning, the prevailing effect was the adsorbing ability of carbon particles that buffer sweat impulses, giving the user a pleasant dry sensation. Then, when sweating became intense, the lower evaporative cooling of the modified PES fabric became the key factor governing the physiological comfort of the garment. This is confirmed by a slightly higher skin temperature measured during the modified PES fabric trials. Finally, a post-exercise chill sensation was felt with the modified PES fabric, due to a longer drying time. Originality/value -The paper presents a comprehensive study of the thermo-physiological comfort of a fabric containing activated carbon particles.

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