The North Caucasus Federal University is developing a hydrophobic and antimicrobial impregnation for fabrics that will be used in the field of medical textiles, special-purpose clothing and sports uniforms.

A fabric impregnation with a hydrophobic and antimicrobial effect based on silver nanoparticles and a silicone matrix is produced as part of a student startup. The Innovation Promotion Fund allocated one million rubles for the project in 2025, and the finished fabric impregnation will be able to destroy more than 99% of bacteria in 24 hours, as well as be wear-resistant and have water-repellent properties.

The project is being developed by Ekaterina Nazaretova, a third-year NCFU undergraduate student in Nanoengineering, who noted that the demand for protective materials, antimicrobial coatings and personal protective equipment continues to grow steadily. This problem has become especially urgent in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the demand for hygienic and safe materials in crowded environments has increased.

— The impregnation will be used in medical bandages, sportswear, protective suits. In other words, the scope of application of the products is wide: from antimicrobial surgical gowns and bed linen to suits for the military, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the chemical industry. The clothes will be resistant not only to moisture, but also to odors. Accordingly, the end users will be medical institutions, scientific laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, military units, as well as athletes and tourists," Ekaterina Nazaretova said.

The advantages of this impregnation will be versatility, environmental friendliness, durability, safety and a price lower than world analogues. The development of the innovative coating itself has been divided into several stages, and the project is currently at the stage of developing a minimally viable product.

The project is scheduled to be completed in November 2026, followed by the certification stages of the finished product.