INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has named three finalists that will present unique and innovative material science solutions as they compete for the RISE Innovation Award during the ninth edition of the Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics Conference, (RISE) September 24-25, 2019 at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. The award recognizes novel innovations within and on the periphery of the nonwovens industry that creatively use next-level science and engineering principles to solve material challenges and expand the usage of nonwovens and engineered fabrics.
The finalists are:
• Surfaceskins ( Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute): Hand washing and gel dispensers clean hands, but as soon as a person touches a door they risk becoming contaminated from a previous door user.Surfaceskins, antibacterial door push pads and pull handles, are engineered to kill deposited germs and bacteria in the vital seconds between one user and the next passing through the door, thus helping prevent the spread of some of the germs and bacteria associated with healthcare associated infections (HAIs).
• Reicofil 5 (Reifenhauser Reicofil): – The RF5 Technology delivers the most productive, reliable, and efficient line technology Reifenhäuser has ever engineered. RF5’s intelligent production line reduces hard pieces by 90 percent; increases output up to 1200 m/min; streamlines maintenance time; reduces energy consumption; improves quality and productivity; and increases uniformity, strength, and softness of engineered materials.
• Remodelling Compound Hernia Patch (Shanghai Pine & Power Biotech): The use of traditional permanent synthetic materials for abdominal wall hernia repair can create short- and long-term complications for patient health. The Remodelling Compound Hernia Patch is an electrospun nanoscale patch designed to mimic more costly absorbable biological grafts. The new cost-effective patch serves as a growth medium for new cells, ultimately biodegrading, and has been shown to reduce the rate of postoperative complications and recurrence of hernias matching the performance of absorbable biological grafts.
RISE will vote for the recipient of the 2019 RISE® Innovation Award, during day one of the conference. The winner will be announced on the final day.
The three finalists were selected by technical experts on INDA’s Technical Advisory Board, a 25-member board of technical professionals. In 2018, the RISE® Innovation Award was presented to DiviDiaper for their product, DiviDiaper, designed to prevent and reduce urinary tract infections, catheter and associated infections, and pressure sores in infants and adults.