Mechanistic understanding and design of sustainable solid fabric enhancer

The project will investigate the formulation and action of dryer sheet coatings that

is a major P&G business with sales in the region of $12 Billion Pa. Dryer sheets

both assist the drying process and impart attractive texture and aromas to fabrics

by transferring a formulated solid material from sheet to clothes within a tumble

dryer.

The governing relationship between formulation design and transfer efficiency is

not however well understood; better understanding would lead to less waste and

more efficient drying, saving both material and energy.

Previous work between Birmingham and P&G studied drying both by measuring

flows in working dryers [Drying Technology, 2021

doi.org/10.1080/07373937.2021.1918706] and by studying the transfer process at

meso- and nano- scales, using AFM and micromanipulation probes, but was

constrained 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 the

relationship between product formulation, product manufacturing processes, and

transfer efficiency between sheet and clothes. Different formulations will be

studied to better understand the role of each component in the mixture.

The aim is to identify the relationship between manufacturing processes and

product performance, leading for example to better understanding of how to

control product tackiness, adhesion, and transfer profile. The fundamental

engineering science that underpins product performance will be identified using

leading-edge interfacial equipment, including AFM, DVS, nanoidentation,

micromanipulation, and hyperspectral SWIR imaging system.