Creating new markets for cotton is a priority for the global cotton sector. Gen Z researchers endeavor to create new cotton products with advanced applications.
Global cotton industry is working to enhance its market share by: 1) developing new products such as advanced textiles, 2) engaging with youth population, and 3) improving the quality-cost balance. United States-based Cotton Incorporated is engaged in research and development, and marketing to increase the consumption of cotton.
Recent research by two undergraduate students in the Nonwovens & Advanced Cotton Laboratory at Texas Tech University, USA utilized plasma surface modification to improve functional and mechanical properties of cotton nonwoven products. The students were from the Departments of Physics and Astronomy and Biology, emphasizing the need to have multidisciplinary approach in developing value-added cotton products.
Research at the Nonwovens and Advanced Cotton Laboratory at Texas Tech University focuses on increasing the demand for cotton by developing advanced textiles from cotton and outreach to increase the utility of sustainable products. The laboratory engages with undergraduates and high schools and encourages them in undertaking research on cotton and sustainable materials for functional applications.
Plasma treatment used Argon gas to develop stronger oil absorbent cotton nonwovens. Building on earlier research on the application of raw cotton as an absorbent for crude oil, undergraduate students focused on exploring additional functionalities. No functional chemicals were added, which made the processes environmentally friendly.
Results showed that plasma treatment enhances the mechanical properties of cotton nonwoven fabrics while not significantly affecting the oil sorption characteristics. Nonwovens tend to be weaker compared to tightly woven fabrics. The results showed that mechanical strength of nonwovens improved due to the bonding of fibers due to surface entanglement.
Results have appeared as a Cover Page article in the open access peer-reviewed journal, “International Journal of Basic, Applied, and Multidisciplinary Research [IJBAMRe].”
The publication highlights the involvement of Gen Z students in cotton research, which is a positive outreach for the cotton sector. It should be noted that the next phase of academic research should be to engage undergraduate and high school seniors in research as science is vital to growing economy.
“Involving undergraduate and high school students in meaningful research experiences is essential to inspiring the next generation of scientists, fostering scientific curiosity, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration,” stated Professor Sung-Won Lee, Chairperson of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas Tech University.
The research was supported by grants from the USA-based Cotton Incorporated. Undergraduate students received summer research fellowships through the College of Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Research Academy, which provided necessary encouragement for students.
Professor Lee opined, “Journals like IJBAMRE are important platforms for showcasing undergraduate research and discoveries, as exemplified by the work of undergraduate students Juan Diego Garcia, in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Voshita Parvathaneni, in the Department of Biology.”
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
