The purpose of this work is to utilize atmospheric plasma to increase coating adhesion between textile substrate and a surface which is repellent to liquid water, formed using electrospun nanofibers (NFs). Atmospheric pressure plasma and electrospinning can be scaled to industrial levels and promise cost and energy savings relative to many current textile finishing methods. A quick, simple and durable hydrophobic finishing process for woven military Nylon 6,6/cotton fabric is demonstrated, maintaining similar bulk garment characteristics like moisture vapor transmission to promote necessary dissipation of heat. The promotion of necessary heat transfer while providing protection against chemical and thermal hazards using a multilayered garment approach has become important for many textile applications including military and industrial uses for Chemical-Biological hazard protection, as well as medical and activewear textiles. Incorporation of a NF coating with a fabric imparts composite multifunctional properties, while demonstrating the potential for greatly decreased processing time and uses less water, energy, and hazardous chemicals than traditional finishing techniques.

Michael David Sieber was born and grew up in Durham, North Carolina. He graduated from North Carolina State University's College of Textiles with a B.S. and M.S., both in Textile Engineering. He currently is a research contractor for the US military, developing next generation chemical-biological protective textile systems.