With more than 30 textile companies were shown examples of how nanotechnology can be harnessed to make fibres stronger and more versatile.

The exhibits included special fibre blends 17 times stronger than traditional fabrics, fibres with anti-odour properties, products which are fire resistant and materials with anti-microbial properties used in the manufacture of wound dressings, sutures and drug delivery systems.

The exhibition took place at a Nanotechnologies in Textiles breakfast seminar organized as part of the Invest NI Foresight programme.

John Thompson, Director of Invest NI's Innovation Research and Technology division, said, "Invest NI is keen to promote new technologies to both Northern Ireland industry and academia.”

"Nanotechnology, or manufacturing at a molecular level, is an emerging sector which offers many opportunities for local industry to develop a competitive advantage by helping to build a knowledge-based economy," Thompson added.