2010-Improving Personal Protection Through Novel Materials

Improving Personal Protection Through Novel Materials

S. Kay Obendorf, Cornell University



Chemical and biological protection is needed to reduce occupational exposure for individuals involved with the chemical industry, military, and emergency response. As well chemically and biologically protective materials can be used to enhance the air quality in the built environment, in particular hospital settings.
Protection is provided by use of various mechanisms such as barrier, i.e. no permeation or penetration; repellency; adsorption or a combination of these mechanisms.
Basic mechanisms have been used to define novel approaches for chemical and biological protective clothing including microporous and nanofibrous membranes as well as self-decontamination materials.