Nanofibers fabricated via electrospinning have specific surface approximately one to two orders of the magnitude larger than flat films, making them excellent candidates for potential applications in sensors. This review is an attempt to give an overview on gas sensors using electrospun nanofibers comprising polyelectrolytes, conducting polymer composites, and semiconductors based on various sensing techniques such as acoustic wave, resistive, photoelectric, and optical techniques. The results of sensing experiments indicate that the nanofiber-based sensors showed much higher sensitivity and quicker responses to target gases, compared with sensors based on flat films.

Daylight-driven antimicrobial nanomaterials serve as a novel barrier for transmission of emerging infectious diseases.

A strain of Vibriosp. isolated from marine sediments produced large quantities of bright red pigments that could be used to dye many fibers including wool, nylon, acrylics, and silk. Characterization of the pigments by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) revealed three prodiginine‐like structures with nonpolar characteristics and low molecular mass. UV‐visible spectra of the major constituent in methanol solution showed absorbance at λ_max 530 nm wavelength. The accurate mass result showed that the main isolated product has a molecular mass of m/ z 323.1997. Further analysis using mass fragmentation (MS/MS), ¹H NMR, COSY, HMQC NMR and DEPT confirmed the detailed structure of the pigment with an elementary composition of C₂₀H₂₅N₃O. Fabrics dyed with the microbial prodiginines demonstrated antibacterial activity.