12 May 2005
Wool Biopolishing Process Scratches the Itch Factor

I'm not sure there's anything that can revive the American wool industry, but this is a good start. One interesting side note: I see where the process was developed by a government agency, and was then patented. I didn't think that government could own patents - it does seem slightly unfair for my tax dollars to pay for the research that I'm them unable to avail myself of, eh?

From the agency that brought you permanent-press cotton and permanent creases in wool trousers in the 1960s comes an exciting new breakthrough. Researchers at the ARS Eastern Regional Research Center in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, have developed a biopolishing method that makes scratchy wool feel silky smooth. Not only does it remove the itch factor, it also bleaches the wool to a high level of whiteness and alters the surface of wool fibers to make them shrink-proof.

(link) [Science Blog]

00:00 /Agriculture | 2 comments | permanent link