have saved thousands of lives. In the form of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (E-PTFE), Gore-Tex has been shown to be a reliable synthetic, medical material in treating patients with nasal dorsal interruptions. In more recent observations, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (E-PTFE) has recently been used as membrane implants for glaucoma surgery. Gore-Tex has been used for many years in the conservation of illuminated manuscripts. Explosive sensors have been printed on Gore-Tex clothing leading to the sensitive voltametric detection of nitroaromatic compounds. The "Gore-Tex" brand name was formerly used for industrial and medical products. Alternative technologies For applications in textiles and garments, there are a number of competing semipermeable membranes on the market that attempt to reproduce the "breathability" (water vapor transport) of ePTFE while effectively repelling water. Materials like Sympatex, Futurelight (marketed by The North Face) can be used in textile laminates much like ePTFE, but often perform less well in terms of water vapor transport and durability. Active textile pumping technology, namely textile-based electroosmotic pumps, are being developed and commercialized by companies such as LunaMicro AB. These solutions can eliminate the use of halogenated polymers like PTFE, minimizing the associated negative health and environmental hazards. See also Extended Cold Weather Clothing System Hipora SympaTex PrimaLoft "The Dinner Party" (Seinfeld) References External links Gore website American inventions Brand name materials Fluoropolymers Products introduced in 1976 Technical fabrics