Everything starts with tea
25/08/2010
The researchers found that by adding sugar and other nutrients to vats of tea, mats of cellulosic fabric developed on the surface. After drying, a transparent fabric similar to papyrus emerged.
The London-based team found that the material stood up to further processing, including dyeing and the designers have created clothing and even shoes from the resulting material.
Professor Paul Freemont, a molecular biologist at Imperial College, told The Daily Telegraph: "The mixture produces quite an uneven and random fabric, so we are working on ways of making it more consistent. Once it is dried, it feels just like leather and is really tough. You can't tear it apart."
London media were quick to point out that the new fabric could soon give a new meaning to the word T-shirt.
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