Abstract: A method for preparing a solid composite material comprising a structural polymer matrix and a thermo-responsive hydrogel involves forming a substantially homogeneous blend of a cross-linkable compound and monomer, oligomer or polymer particles in a blended aqueous liquid, inducing the cross-linkable compound to cross-link to form the thermo-responsive hydrogel and forming the structural polymer matrix from the structural polymer by a further induction means, wherein the resulting solid composite material provides a textile or membrane which presents a thermally insulating layer, through which air and/or liquid water cannot easily pass at low temperatures, but which also provides a more open structure at higher temperatures so that air and moisture vapor can pass through the textile or membrane.

Abstract: A method of treatment for synthetic or natural fibre or yarn includes coating the fibre/yarn with a dispersion of carbon nanotubes in a coating composition which is cured by actinic radiation, such as UV, to provide a flexible conductive layer on the fibre/yarn. The liquid coating composition is sheared along the direction of a long axis of the yarn as it is applied to the yarn whereby the carbon nanotubes are substantially aligned prior to curing of the coating layer to provide improved longitudinal conductance. The method provides conductive fibre/yarn, from which anti-static textiles and fabrics can be formed, by treatment of conventional fibre/yarn and in a method with low energy consumption. The improved conductance allows thin or partial (e.g.