Miami-based CMI Enterprises, a supplier of coated fabrics for healthcare, institutional, contract furniture and transportation applications, has supplied vinyl fabrics containing its nanotechnology-based Nanocide® Antimicrobial to upholster three fitness centers at Scranton, Pa.-based Lackawanna College: one for students, one for athletes and one for alumni.

CMI uses nanotechnology to permanently embed performance benefits into its vinyl fabrics. The Nanocide Antimicrobial finish - which is patented for use with leather, vinyl, thermoplastic polyolefins and other such materials - contains pure silver particles measuring 4 to 6 nanometers, which have been shown to kill 99.9 percent of resistant staphylococcus viruses, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, on contact within minutes, according to CMI. Mike Jobe, the company's vice president, sales/marketing, said the nanoscale size of the particles not only provides faster killing of pathogens than do other silver-based antimicrobial technologies, but also doesn't affect the color of the fabric.

Nanocide Anatimicrobial is featured in CMI's line of Dimensions™ coated upholstery and bedding fabrics. It can also be used in conjunction with the company's Nano-Block Technology™ in its NBT™ Marine vinyl upholstery - which offers easy removal of stains from ballpoint pens, permanent markers and various foods; a barrier with an active self-renewing agent to kill mildew and fungus; and an ultraviolet (UV) inhibitor that more than doubles the colorfastness and durability to UV exposure compared with conventional finishes. Jobe added that Nanocide also can be applied to uncoated fabrics.

May 26, 2009