Mechanistic understanding and design of sustainable solid fabric enhancer

该项目将研究干燥薄片涂料的配方和作用，这是宝洁的一项主要业务，销售额约为120亿帕。烘干机床单通过将配制好的固体材料在转筒内从床单转移到衣服上，帮助烘干过程并赋予织物诱人的质地和香味。然而，配方设计和转移效率之间的支配关系尚未被很好地理解；更好的理解将导致更少的浪费和更有效的干燥，节省材料和能源。伯明翰和宝洁之前的工作通过测量工作烘干机中的流动[干燥技术，2021doi.org/10.1080/07373937.2021.1918706]和通过研究中纳米尺度的转移过程，使用原子力显微镜和微操作探针，但受限于当前的配方来建立产品行动的基础。新的项目将利用已建立的测量能力、基本知识和可能的行动模式来研究产品配方、产品制造过程和片材和衣服之间的转移效率之间的关系。将研究不同的配方，以更好地了解混合物中每种成分的作用。目的是确定制造工艺和产品性能之间的关系，例如，更好地理解如何控制产品的粘性、附着力和转移特性。支持产品性能的基础工程科学将使用先进的界面设备来确定，包括AFM、DVS、纳米定向、微操作和高光谱SWIR成像系统。

The project will investigate the formulation and action of dryer sheet coatings thatis a major P&G business with sales in the region of $12 Billion Pa. Dryer sheetsboth assist the drying process and impart attractive texture and aromas to fabricsby transferring a formulated solid material from sheet to clothes within a tumbledryer.The governing relationship between formulation design and transfer efficiency isnot however well understood; better understanding would lead to less waste andmore efficient drying, saving both material and energy.Previous work between Birmingham and P&G studied drying both by measuringflows in working dryers [Drying Technology, 2021doi.org/10.1080/07373937.2021.1918706] and by studying the transfer process atmeso- and nano- scales, using AFM and micromanipulation probes, but wasconstrained to the current formulation to establish the basis of product action.The new project will capitalize on the established measurement capabilities,fundamental knowledge, and possible Mode of Actions to investigate therelationship between product formulation, product manufacturing processes, andtransfer efficiency between sheet and clothes. Different formulations will bestudied to better understand the role of each component in the mixture.The aim is to identify the relationship between manufacturing processes andproduct performance, leading for example to better understanding of how tocontrol product tackiness, adhesion, and transfer profile. The fundamentalengineering science that underpins product performance will be identified usingleading-edge interfacial equipment, including AFM, DVS, nanoidentation,micromanipulation, and hyperspectral SWIR imaging system.