Textile Chemistry and Colouration
Textiles is a diverse sophisticated industry which is dependent on the fundamental principles of understanding materials and the manufacturing processes. A vital component in the success of the industry is the ability to engineer the chemistry and colouration "palette". Research is primarily involved with the synthesis, application, performance and measurement of novel coloured and colourless molecules. The research emphasis is on doing things better (quicker, cheaper) and with a lower adverse environmental impact than offered by conventional technology. With colour influencing all materials the extent of the colour expertise spectrum extends into digital printing, hair colouration, DNA detection, colour conservation and image analysis systems. Research also involves engineering and characterising the outer surface interface (1-2nm) of textiles in order to improve textile handle, water repellency, laundering properties and flame retardancy.
The Group's prime research focus is with industry and has established an important collaboration with Lenzing through the establishment of the only Christian Doppler Laboratory outside Austria aimed at developing sustainable, high performance cellulosic materials. The research team has therefore developed an international research reputation in traditional and technical textile chemistry areas such as:
- Design and synthesis of novel, high performance colourants
- Colouration processing and assessment standardisation
- Dye/Fibre interactions during laundering
- Effect chemicals for fibre and fabric performance enhancement
- Colour perception and analysis – human and instrumental
- Artificial intelligence and image analysis
- Digital conservation and presentation of cultural heritage
- Hair chemistry and analysis
- Surface chemistry of textiles and paper
Facilities
Textiles and Paper have established world class research facilities able to process and manufacture a comprehensive range of materials.
Synthetic organic chemistry is conducted in new laboratory facilities, with dyeing and finishing being carried out using either small-scale laboratory equipment or semi-bulk facilities.
In addition to the Colour research within Textiles and Paper is The Cotton Industry War Memorial Trust Digital Print Centre which has a range of Digital Print Technology and CAD Design Print Systems.
A dedicated Colour Science laboratory is available for colour measurement, colour prediction, image analysis studies and fibre colour analysis. In addition with extensive networking within and outside the School, access is available to a wide range of surface and bulk characterisation techniques.