Article By- Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, February 28, 2022)- Sustainability requirements, and the need for sustainable advanced products for enhancing human health and protecting environment is an encouragement for the fiber to fashion supply chain to work towards sustainability goals.
The Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech University for the past two decades has been focusing on research, education and outreach related to cotton-based technical textile products.
As part of outreach effort, demonstration of cotton’s sustainable industrial application was carried out this past Friday evening (February 25, 2022) in the STEM Night event organized by Ramirez Elementary School’s PTA, which was attended by many elementary school children and their parents in Lubbock, Texas.
Aditya Ritvik, a 5th grade student at Roscoe Wilson Elementary School in Lubbock, USA enthusiastically carried out the demonstration and witnessed the unique capability of raw cotton absorbing oil.
Demonstration by 5th grade student can be viewed at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jECKHsXcjsI
Mirza Khyum and Faizur Rahman, graduate students in the Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory, Texas Tech University showcased the industrial applications of cotton such as oil soaking abilities to the audience.
Research has so far resulted in commercial products such as FiberTect, a nonwoven decontamination wipe, which could absorb toxic chemicals such as sulfur mustard, cotton-based oil absorbent and novel face mask concept, “FISOR.” FISOR concept advocates the use of cotton face cover and nonwoven surgical mask as a combo mask with good fit to provide improved filtration and comfort.
It was enthralling to see many different groups such as wind energy, robotics, geosciences, forensics, museum studies, etc., showcasing science and technology in the STEM Night event.
Certainly, there was enthusiasm among youngsters to see science in action.
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
