Capillary-channeled polymer fibers modified for defense against chemical and biological contaminants
A method of preparing a fiber or an article suitable for use in defending against a biological or a chemical contaminant, and the fiber or article resulting from the method thereof, is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a fiber such as a capillary-channeled fiber with a surface having grooves or channels thereon and modifying the surface of the fiber with an active agent so as to provide the fiber with the ability to defend against a biological or a chemical contaminant.
1 . A method of preparing a fiber for use in defending against a biological or a chemical contaminant, the method comprising:
providing a fiber having a non-circular cross section and a fiber surface, and modifying the fiber surface of the fiber with an active agent to defend against a biological or a chemical contaminant.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the fiber is a capillary-channeled fiber with a surface having grooves or channels thereon.
3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the fiber surface of the non-circular cross section fiber is modified by deposition of a coating in the grooves or channels of the fiber.
4 . The method according to claim 2 ; wherein the fiber surface of the non-circular cross section fiber is modified by deposition of particulate matter in the grooves or channels of the fiber.
5 . The method according to claim 3 , wherein the coating provides bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal activity against a biological contaminant or absorptive, adsorptive or neutralizing activity against a chemical contaminant.
6 . The method according to claim 4 , wherein the particulate matter provides bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal activity against a biological contaminant or absorptive, adsorptive or neutralizing activity against a chemical contaminant.
7 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the grooves or channels of the fiber are of a size capable of entrapping or repelling airborne particulate matter.
8 . A method of making a fiber for use in defending against a biological or a chemical contaminant, the method comprising:
selecting a fiber to have a non-circular cross section and a fiber shape to defend against an identified biological or chemical contaminant, and extruding the fiber.
9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the extruded fiber is a capillary-channeled fiber with a surface having grooves or channels thereon.
10 . A fiber for use in defending against a biological or a chemical contaminant wherein the fiber comprises a non-circular cross section and a fiber shape that is selected to defend against an identified chemical or biological contaminant.
11 . The fiber according to claim 10 , wherein the fiber is a capillary-channeled fiber with a surface having grooves or channels thereon.
12 . The fiber according to claim 10 , wherein the fiber is modified by deposition of a coating within the grooves or channels of the fiber.
13 . The fiber according to claim 10 , wherein the fiber is modified by deposition of particulate matter within the grooves or channels of the fiber.
14 . The fiber according to claim 12 , where the coating wherein provides bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal activity against a biological contaminant or absorptive, adsorptive or neutralizing activity against a chemical contaminant.
15 . The fiber according to claim 13 ; where the particulate matter provides bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal activity against a biological contaminant or absorptive, adsorptive or neutralizing activity against a chemical contaminant.
16 . The fiber according to claim 11 , wherein the grooves or channels of the fiber are of a size capable of entrapping or repelling airborne particulate matter.
17 . A method of preparing an article for use in defending against a biological or a chemical contaminant, the method comprising:
providing a fiber having a non-circular cross section and a fiber surface having grooves or channels thereon, wherein the grooves or channels comprise an active agent having bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal activity against a biological contaminant or having absorptive, adsorptive or neutralizing activity against a chemical contaminant, and forming an article comprising the fiber.
18 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein the grooves or channels of the fiber are of a size capable of entrapping or repelling airborne particulate matter.
19 . An article for use in defending against a biological or a chemical contaminant, the article comprising:
a fiber having a non-circular cross section and a fiber surface having grooves or channels thereon, wherein the grooves or channels comprise an active agent having bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal activity against a biological contaminant or having absorptive, adsorptive or neutralizing activity against a chemical contaminant.
20 . The article according to claim 19 , wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of a face mask, filter, tent netting, and fabric.
21 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein the active agent is a coating, particulate matter, or a combination thereof.
22 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein the active agent is a coating, particulate matter, or a combination thereof.