The NASK Journal

Notes from
the nanofiber frontier.

Research briefs, engineering deep-dives, and application case studies from the team building the world's most precise nanofiber platform.

Invisible Threat, Measurable Solution:How Nanofiber Technology is Taking on Legionella

Legionnaires’ disease is a silent risk that lives in the spaces we trust most—the water in our cooling towers, the mist from our showers, the airflow through our buildings. Caused by Legionella pneumophila, this pathogen thrives in warm, stagnant water and spreads through aerosolized droplets, making both water systems and air handling units potential points of exposure. At NASK, we have developed a bactericidal nanofiber technology that delivers measurable protection against this exact threat. The Proof is in the Number According to ISO 20743 (the international standard for antibacterial activity on textile products), our nanofiber achieved an Antibacterial Activity Value (AAV) of 4.9 against Legionella pneumophila Subsp. pneumophila ATCC 33152. This corresponds to an antibacterial rate of approximately 99.9987% — a level of efficacy that turns passive filtration into active inactivation. Why This Matters for Water Filtration Legionella bacteria colonize engineered water systems — cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot tubs, decorative fountains, and complex plumbing networks. Traditional water filters capture particles but do not necessarily kill the bacteria they trap. In fact, a damp, nutrient-rich filter can become a reservoir for biofilm and bacterial proliferation. Our bactericidal nanofiber changes that dynamic: Active Inactivation on Contact: Bacteria intercepted by the fiber are neutralized rather than merely retained, preventing colonization of the filter media itself. Reduced Biofilm Risk: By eliminating viable bacteria at the filtration stage, the downstream risk of biofilm formation in pipes and equipment is significantly lowered. Longer Service Life: Filters that resist biological fouling maintain performance over time, reducing replacement frequency and maintenance costs. Why This Matters for Air Filtration When Legionella-contaminated water is aerosolized—through cooling tower drift, humidifiers, or industrial misting systems — the bacteria can become airborne and inhaled. This is where air filtration becomes a critical second line of defense. Our nanofiber technology brings dual-action protection to air handling: High-Efficiency Capture: The fine fiber structure intercepts aerosolized droplets and particles at high efficiency. Simultaneous Kill Mechanism: Captured bacteria are not simply held — they are inactivated, preventing the risk of re-aerosolization or growth within the filter. Low Airflow Resistance: Unlike dense fiberglass media, our nanofiber maintains low pressure drop, keeping HVAC energy consumption down while delivering superior biological protection. Application Scenarios Cooling Towers & Evaporative Condensers: Integrating bactericidal nanofiber into drift eliminators or pre-filters to reduce Legionella emissions. Building Water Systems: Point-of-use filtration for showers, faucets, and humidifiers in hospitals, hotels, and care homes. HVAC & Air Purification: Enhancing indoor air quality (IAQ) in facilities where water aerosolization is unavoidable. Industrial & Laboratory Settings: Protecting workers in environments where water mist or aerosol exposure is an occupational hazard. The Bigger Picture Legionnaires’ disease is preventable, yet outbreaks continue to make headlines. The challenge is not awareness — it is the lack of materials that can both capture and neutralize the pathogen at the point of interception. Our ISO 20743-validated nanofiber offers a solution that is not just theoretical, but proven by third-party testing. For investors and partners, this represents an opportunity to back a platform technology

Efficiency, Durability, and Circularity: How Nanofiber Technology Can Support ESG in Manufacturing

Manufacturing companies are under increasing pressure to improve ESG performance without compromising product performance, cost control, or scalability. For many teams, the real challenge is not the ESG target itself, but finding a material solution that can support better energy efficiency, lower material consumption, and more sustainable product design. At NASK, we develop nanofiber technology for filtration, personal protection, and hygiene applications. Our focus is on material structure innovation that can improve performance and environmental outcomes at the same time. What ESG Means in a Manufacturing Context For manufacturers, ESG is not an abstract concept. It is closely tied to product design, process efficiency, and supply chain decisions. Environmental (E): reducing energy use, lowering raw material consumption, improving resource efficiency, and cutting pollution and waste. Social (S): improving product safety, comfort, and usability, while supporting health and well-being. Governance (G): maintaining quality control, traceability, process consistency, and regulatory compliance. Many companies are ready to move forward on ESG, but still face real barriers such as cost pressure, performance trade-offs, material substitution challenges, and limited scalable solutions. This is where advanced material technologies can make a meaningful difference. How Nanofiber Can Help Nanofiber offers a combination of high surface area, fine fiber diameter, tunable pore structure, and strong potential for surface functionality. These characteristics make it possible to improve performance while reducing material intensity and system load. In practical terms, nanofiber can support ESG in several ways: Lower pressure drop and better energy efficiency: In air filtration, lower airflow resistance can help reduce HVAC energy consumption. Better material efficiency: Thin, high-performance structures can reduce the amount of substrate and functional material needed to meet the same target. Less dependence on environmentally concerning materials: Nanofiber design can help replace materials such as PFAS-related components or high-SAP structures. Longer product life and better stability: More stable nanofiber structures can improve durability, reduce replacement frequency, and help reduce waste. Real-World Examples from NASK We are applying nanofiber technology across several areas where it can create measurable value. High-performance air filtration: NASK nanofiber filtration media can be applied in high-efficiency filtration scenarios from F9 to U16. The goal is to maintain high capture efficiency while achieving lower pressure drop and better stability, helping the overall system operate more efficiently. Lightweight respirator sample: One example is our respirator sample, which weighs only 5.67 g — about 37–43% lighter than conventional models at 9–10 g. This lighter design helps reduce material consumption, packaging volume, and potentially logistics impact, while still supporting the required protection performance. PFAS-free material substitution: In air filtration and waterproof breathable applications, we are developing PFAS-free solutions that aim to maintain functionality while reducing reliance on materials with potential environmental concerns. This is becoming increasingly relevant for regulation, sustainability, and brand risk management. Hygiene material efficiency: In diaper and hygiene applications, NASK NANO topsheets can improve material efficiency and reduce SAP usage. Since SAP is non-recyclable, this kind of optimization can help reduce waste and improve resource use. It is not just a material

Precision Release, Unlimited Potential: The Next Generation of Active Ingredient Delivery

At NASK, we have transformed the way active ingredients are delivered. While conventional carriers often struggle with limited compatibility, rapid degradation, or the need for chemical preservatives, our electrospun nanofiber platform offers a fundamentally more elegant and versatile solution. We have created a delivery system that acts as a programmable reservoir—capable of encapsulating virtually any active molecule and releasing it with precise control, all without the use of preservatives. The Science of Controlled Release: Engineering the Matrix Our technology is built upon a deep understanding of polymer physics, nanofiber architecture, and molecular interactions. Using our proprietary electrospinning process, we create a three-dimensional nanofibrous matrix that serves as a protective and programmable carrier for a wide range of active ingredients. The key to our innovation lies in two interconnected mechanisms that allow us to precisely tune release kinetics: Molecular-Level Encapsulation and Compatibility Unlike traditional delivery systems that are limited by the chemical properties of the active ingredient, our platform is inherently versatile. We engineer the polymer matrix to accommodate: Small molecules, peptides, and proteins from low-molecular-weight compounds to complex biologics Hydrophilic and hydrophobic actives whether water-soluble or oil-based Positively and negatively charged molecules enabling us to work with ionic actives without charge-related instability This versatility is achieved through careful selection of polymer systems and precise control over the electrospinning environment. The active ingredient is uniformly distributed within the nanofiber matrix, where it is protected from environmental degradation without the need for chemical preservatives. Tunable Release Kinetics Through Structural and Compositional Design The release rate of the active ingredient is not a fixed property of our nanofiber—it is a parameter we can precisely engineer. We achieve this through two primary design levers: Structural Control By adjusting the nanofiber diameter, porosity, and nanofiber alignment during the electrospinning process, we can create diffusion pathways of varying complexity. Denser, smaller-diameter nanofibers slow release, while more porous structures facilitate faster release. Compositional Control We can select and blend polymers with specific degradation profiles and hydrophobic/hydrophilic characteristics. A hydrophobic matrix will release a hydrophilic active more slowly, while a hydrophilic matrix will release it more rapidly. By layering different polymer formulations, we can create multi-stage release profiles—for example, a burst release followed by sustained delivery. This dual control mechanism enables us to achieve release profiles ranging from immediate to sustained over days, weeks, or longer—all without relying on preservatives to maintain activity. Stability Without Preservatives: A Scientific Advantage One of the most significant innovations of our platform is its ability to maintain the bioactivity of sensitive ingredients—particularly peptides and proteins—without adding preservatives that can cause skin irritation or formulation instability. Our electrospinning process operates under mild, solvent-controlled conditions that preserve the secondary and tertiary structure of delicate biomolecules. Once encapsulated, the active ingredient is physically isolated from oxygen, moisture, and light within the nanofiber matrix. This protective microenvironment ensures long-term stability without the need for chemical preservatives, making our platform ideal for applications where safety and biocompatibility are paramount. A Platform for Innovation: Unlocking New Markets Our preservative-free,

Beyond Inhibition: The Physics of Microbial Annihilation​

At NASK, we have developed a groundbreaking antimicrobial nanofiber that redefines the standard for safety and efficacy. While the industry has long relied on leaching toxic metals like silver or copper ions to combat microbes, our technology takes a fundamentally different—and scientifically superior—approach. We have created a nanofiber that kills pathogens through physical and chemical interactions at the cellular level, without releasing any harmful substances into the environment or onto the user’s skin. The Science of the Kill: A Physical-Chemical Synergy The mechanism behind our technology is a testament to our commitment to deep scientific research. Unlike conventional antimicrobial materials that require the migration of heavy metal ions (which can pose risks to human health and the environment), our nanofibers are engineered with a unique molecular structure that achieves microbial inactivation through two synergistic pathways: Physical Disruption (The “Nano-Blade” Effect) Our electrospinning process produces nanofibers with precisely controlled surface topography. When a microorganism—whether a bacterium, fungus, or virus—comes into contact with our nanofiber, the nano-scale architecture physically disrupts its lipid envelope or cell membrane. This is a mechanical breach that the microbe cannot develop resistance against. Contact-Based Chemical Inactivation The polymer matrix of our nanofiber is functionalized with a safe, non-leaching active ingredient. Upon contact with the disrupted microbe, this chemistry irreversibly denatures the proteins and genetic material (DNA/RNA) inside, ensuring complete and permanent inactivation. This dual-action mechanism ensures a >99% kill rate against a wide spectrum of dangerous pathogens, including: Gram-positive bacteria: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Gram-negative bacteria: Legionella (the cause of Legionnaires’ disease) Fungi: Candida albicans Viruses: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), H1N1, H3N2 Because the active ingredient is bound directly to the nanofiber and does not leach out, our material is inherently safe, non-toxic, and provides long-lasting protection without the environmental concerns associated with nano-silver or other metal-based biocides. Proven in the Field, Trusted by Leaders This isn’t just a lab-scale discovery. Our antimicrobial nanofiber has been successfully scaled and deployed in the real world. It is the core technology behind the first-ever nanofiber N95 respirator that actively kills viruses and bacteria. This innovation has earned the trust of the most demanding healthcare institutions globally. Our respirators have been used by top customers [including the Hospital Authority in Hong Kong and the World Health Organization (WHO) ], protecting frontline healthcare workers during critical times. A Platform for Global Health: Unlocking New Markets The potential applications for a safe, non-leaching, and highly effective antimicrobial nanofiber extend far beyond respirators. We are actively seeking partners to explore and commercialize this technology across multiple high-value sectors: Healthcare & Medical Antimicrobial surgical masks, gowns, drapes, and wound dressings that prevent secondary infections without cytotoxic side effects. Water & Air Filtration Filters that not only trap but actively kill Legionella, mold, and viruses, preventing the re-growth of harmful microbes in HVAC systems and water purification devices. Hygiene & Personal Care Sanitary napkins, adult diapers, and baby diapers that actively combat odor-causing bacteria and reduce the risk of dermatitis and urinary tract infections. Food Packaging Wraps and liners that extend shelf life by inhibiting the growth of spoilage organisms