TTU Professor’s Invention is Part of Decontamination Advancements by the U.S. Army

11.08.2023 | Jenna McAlister

In a groundbreaking partnership between the United States Army and First Line Technology, recent research findings are poised to usher in a revolutionary shift in decontamination processes. The research, now available to the public, highlights the potential of non-aqueous decontamination technologies, with a particular focus on FiberTect.

"FiberTect has been a powerful decontamination tool that is used globally as the 'first' item that a responder would grab to start the decontamination process," notes Amit Kapoor, President of First Line Technology. "The result from continuous testing only reinforces the technical superiority of FiberTect over other common decontamination tools."

FiberTect, the patented invention of Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar, a professor in the Department of Environmental Toxicology at Texas Tech University, was introduced in 2008. It is a three-layer, nonwoven wipe that boasts an activated carbon core sandwiched between absorbent top and bottom layers. These wipes are on the brink of transforming casualty decontamination, offering a safer and more efficient alternative to the prevailing water-based systems. FiberTect has been commercialized by First Line Technology in collaboration with Waco-based Hobbs Bonded Fibers.

FiberTect Package and Mitt

Corey Collings, Director of R&D at First Line Technology, underlined the innovation, stating, "Decontamination of dry powders is a new use for FiberTect as it was originally designed for older Cold War-era liquid chemical warfare agents, but new research has shown that on powders its decontamination efficacy exceeds other technologies that have been traditionally used such as HEPA vacuums and adhesive tape."

In today's dynamic threat landscape, the continued evaluation of decontamination technologies has become imperative. While World War I primarily saw chemical warfare agents in gaseous or volatile liquid forms, they have evolved over time into persistent, adherent surface liquids. Traditional decontamination methods have proven inadequate for these modern-day challenges. Until the early 2010s, decontamination equipment was largely tailored to counter Cold War-era agents.

In contemporary scenarios, threats often manifest as dry powders, including synthetic opioids like Fentanyl, powdery toxic chemicals such as Russian Fourth-Generation Agents, and weaponized bio-toxins like ricin. These substances primarily pose inhalation hazards, but the use of improper decontamination techniques, such as isopropyl alcohol or high-pH soaps, can expedite skin permeation. Unlike liquid chemicals, these powders maintain their efficacy and persistence across various climates, from cold to hot. Water is effective for removal but poses challenges in cold weather and austere environments, and the runoff associated leads to cross-contamination and secondary hazards.

According to the U.S. Army's latest findings, FiberTect wipes have demonstrated remarkable efficacy, delivering equivalent performance on both equipment and skin. What truly sets FiberTect apart is its safety for skin use, as it does not increase permeation or harm the stratum corneum, the skin's outer protective layer. Furthermore, during full-scale operational assessments, a dry decontamination system incorporating FiberTect was found to be "as good as or better than the current water-based system." These developments have the potential to enhance the safety and effectiveness of military and emergency response operations, with broader implications for public health and various industries.

The full report, with comprehensive details of the research, is accessible here: Full Report

Dr. Ramkumar group’s collaborative effort with Dr. Halemek’s group has resulted in a paper, which has been recognized as Cover Page in the latest issue of the peer-reviewed journal, TAPPI Journal (See attached). The journal has released this issue recently on its site. TAPPI Journal is the flagship journal of the 100-year-old, Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry.

This is the first paper for Ashley Newland, PhD student in our department in Dr. Halamek’s group.

This paper’s covert art was possible due to the creative effort of my colleague Brad Thomas with the timely support of Asst. Director, Lori Gibler.

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Ramkumar to Receive Chapin Award

In recognition of his outstanding service to the Association, AATCC has named Seshadri Ramkumar as recipient of the Harold C. Chapin Award.

AATCC Involvement

Ramkumar has been a member of the Association since 1999. He was a strong proponent for expanding AATCC into the area of nonwovens and technical textiles. He supported the founding of the Materials Interest Group and served as an officer in this Interest Group for 11 years.

Ramkumar was involved in the development and promotion of nonwoven and technical textile conferences and symposia both nationally and internationally. He presented webinars and tutorials, chaired conference committees, and served as a moderator or speaker at AATCC conferences, symposia, and events. He especially encouraged AATCC’s involvement in conferences in India and co-organized major conferences, promoting AATCC widely to all who attended. His tenacious advocacy for the Association strengthened AATCC’s significance throughout the Indian textile community.

Ramkumar has authored or co-authored numerous articles and research papers in AATCC Review and AATCC Journal of Research. He serves as a member of the Publications Committee. He served for several years as an associate editor for the AATCC Journal of Research and strives to elevate its status as a peer-reviewed journal. He also promotes AATCC events in his newsletter, “TexSnips,” which goes to over 2,000 people around the world.

Accomplishments

Ramkumar has three published patents and 20 invention disclosures. He has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed papers and has authored a book and book chapters. In 2022, he was recognized as a Fellow of the Technical

Association of Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) in the United States, and in 2020, received the Silver Medal from the Society of Dyers and Colourists (United Kingdom). He is also a Fellow of The Textile Institute (United Kingdom) and an Honorary Fellow in the Textile Association (India).

Education and Professional

Ramkumar earned his PhD in Textile Materials from the University of Leeds, UK, in 1998; a Master of Technology in Textile Materials Science, First Rank in the Discipline from Anna University, India, in 1994; and a Bachelor of Technology in Textile Materials Science, graduating with Distinction from Anna University, India, in 1992

He joined Texas Tech University as a Research Associate/ Research Assistant Professor in January 1999. He became an Assistant Professor in Environmental Toxicology at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) at Texas Tech in 2005 and was a full professor in Environmental Toxicology/TIEHH by 2013.

Ramkumar and his laboratory developed a non-particulate dry sorbent nonwoven wipe for use in chemical compatibility and chemical warfare agent retention. The Department of Homeland Security contracted with a national laboratory to evaluate this product against 30 or more currently available products. The results of the evaluation concluded that the dry wipe technology developed in Ramkumar’s laboratory was the best performing wipe. Ramkumar and his laboratory’s development of FiberTect wipe technology is recognized as one of the first technology commercialization activities at Texas Tech University.

For a description of the Chapin Award and a list

of past Chapin Award recipients, visit:

https://www.aatcc.org/chapin/

Collaborative Research Outcome: Success

Today (May 20, 2023), four students in the final year B. Tech degree at RVS College of Engineering, India, as part of partial fulfillment of engineering degree successfully defended research project on "Sustainable Oil Absorbent." To see four young students who are 10,000 miles apart work on a project with me here in Texas (virtually) come out successful is indeed a relish.

Professor V Krishnakumar, Director at Dindigul, India-based RVS College of Engineering served as the onsite advisor.

This project is a collaboration between Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory, Texas Tech University and RVS College of Engineering, India.

Our best wishes to the four soon to be Engineers!

WORLD TEXTILE CONFERENCE 3

INVITATION

On February 25-26, it is organizing its world conference (WTC-3) which will be inaugurated by:

Indian Union Government's Minister for State for Textiles and Railways and

Chief Minister (equal of Governor in US) of the State of Gujarat.

Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar will receive the highest award by the world's largest association, "Honorary Membership."

The event has attracted leading players in industry and academia. US-based Association of Nonwoven Fabrics Industry's (INDA), Chairman of the Board, Dr. Bryan Hayes of Kimberly Clark and the President of INDA are attending.

Honorary Membership is rarely bestowed and many leaders such as India' Space Sectors' pioneer, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Reliance Industry Chairman Dhirubhai Ambani are the few. I am the first one from the United States to receive this honor in the association's over 70 years of existence.

View the conference inaugural program invite.

After I sent the Feb-2023 Horizon column in the well-read “Pallikkutam,” (meaning School), published by Rajgiri Media, Cochin, India, a few previous featured colleagues, and community members asked to share their and other archived articles.

I have been fortunate to archive last two years of Horizon column and hence for the interest of those who asked and those featured, I am sharing the link here. My colleagues Brad and Lori are prompt to archive them-thanks.

https://www.entx.ttu.edu/sramkumar/horizons.html

There are articles focusing on research, leadership and support efforts. etc.

Many trail blazers at TTU who established institutes, lead first COVID-19 testing like Ronald Kendall, Steven Presley are all featured. The first issue had the views of Professor Michael Galyean with whom I have worked closely as the Faculty Senate President and for two years as Chair of TTU-AAUP Group. His support enabled us to accomplish major initiatives that affect faculty and staff at TTU.

My effort is to seek some gems across the campus and feature them, as Pallikkutam being published in English from India has several thousand views.

Honorary Membership,”-2023 Award

Textile Science Field's Highest Honor awarded to Dr. Seshadri S. Ramkumar

Textile Association (India) is the world’s largest association in the field, and has officially notified Dr. Ramkumar of the society’s Highest Award, “Honorary Membership,”-2023 to be bestowed on him in February 2023 at its World Congress.

Earlier winners include stalwarts such as Dr. Vikram Sarabhai (father of Indian Space Sector), who studied under Nobel laureate C V Raman, whose name is synonymous with Raman Effect.

See Official letter

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Ramkumar: China in the global economic and textiles space

By Seshadri Ramkumar

Special to the Avalanche-Journal

On going geopolitical and economic scenarios highlight the growing prominence of China in the world order.

On October 20, as part of celebrating the harvest in the High Plains of Texas, Lubbock Chamber of Commerce hosted Luke Lindberg, Founder and

Principal, E. Pluribus Unum, LLC. Mr. Lindberg in his services at EXIM Bank of the United States has had rsthand experience in dealing with China and

provided an overview on China’s status in the world.

“China is an important market and a competitor for the United States,” stated Lindberg. The transition of China from a nation of famine to a feasting one

within one to two generations is remarkable and hence it is important to be cognizant of China’s aspirations.

President Xi Jinping in his speech at the recent Communist Party of China’s National congress has highlighted the importance of development focusing

on domestic economy, strengthening education and innovation. The congress highlighted the aspirations of China to strengthen its security, grow

domestic economy to gain an upper hand on its growth. The recent GDP numbers show that China has witnessed a growth of about 3.9% in the 3rd

Quarter relative to last year, while domestic demand has been weak.

The zero Covid-19 policy has played a role in the slowing of Chinese economy, and this is a setback for China’s ambition to be a dominant superpower. A

growth of about 3-4% is not sucient to achieve such a status commented Professor Rashid Al-Hmoud, Department of Economics, Texas Tech University.

Lindberg viewed that China aspires to be sole superpower to overtake the United States. To counter competition from China, it is important that countries

focus on innovation, build trade alliances, and invest in foreign diplomacy, added Lindberg.

China hopes to be less import dependent, which necessitates exporting nations to explore alternate markets, explore new technologies and develop

value-added products. This is clear now with the dire situation of cotton spinning mills in States like Andhra Pradesh in India which are dependent on

exports to China.

To my question on the ongoing political crisis in the United Kingdom and its impact on economy, Lindberg opined that it is important for United States

to have robust trade deals with countries to enhance trade. “Going on trade missions is important,” added Lindberg. Countries like China need agricultural

imports from the United States, particularly cotton from the High Plains of Texas. 40% of soybeans from South Dakota end up in China stated

Lindberg.

“China continues to be an important market for U.S. cotton and is number 1 or number 2 in terms of cotton imports from the United States,” stated

Shawn Wade, Director of Policy Analysis and Research at Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. Texas is expected to produce 3.4 million bales (480

lbs. per bale) this year, and almost all of it will be exported. While China’s cotton imports are high, in recent years its yarn imports are slowing down

indicating a shift towards growing domestic manufacturing, which is a priority highlighted this past week in the 20th National Congress of the Communist

Party of China.

Countries like Brazil and Australia are trying hard to capture the Chinese cotton market, while Chinese favor quality and reliability of the U.S. cotton

highlighted Lindberg.

The ongoing global economic crisis, political instability in some regions of the world, aspirations of China and Russia, weakening consumer condence

all necessitate the need for new pathways for the global textiles sector.

“It’s critical and important for the United States to invest in research and continue export expansion, which is important for trade advancement and

national security,” opined, Murvat Musa, Executive Director of Reese Technology Center, a business and research park in Lubbock, Texas.

Investing in R and D, focusing on innovation, exploring new markets are a few feasible options available for the global textile industry.

Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar is a professor in the department of environmental toxicology at Texas Tech University.

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Indo-U.S. Collaboration Shows Value of Face Masks in Curbing COVID-19 Spread

By Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar

|November 9, 2022

Face masks play a valuable supportive role in the fight against COVID-19 and air pollution.

A recent collaboration between a team from the Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech University and an undergraduate student from Bengaluru, India has shown that the mask mandate in India helped reduce the number of daily COVID-19 cases.

Cotton face coverings, surgical masks, and N95 types are being used by the public in India.

The work did not isolate the influence of different type of face masks as there were no specific data available on this aspect. The public uses different face masks depending on availability and choice.

Building on over two decades of outreach effort to promote the technical textiles sector in India, I asked Shreyas Ganesh, a computer science major from PES University in Bengaluru, to work on the project this past summer to analyze the effect of mask mandates on COVID-19 from January to May 2022.

During the mask mandate period (Jan. 1 to Mar. 31), the usefulness of masks in reducing the spread was visible after some period as expected due to the nature of the virus. During this 3-month period, there was an average decline of about 2,920 daily cases. As the mandate was lifted during Apr. 1 to Apr. 23, cases per day spiked from a period of decline in the previous months. When the mandate was reinstated, data indicated a decline in daily cases, showing the positive effect of masks as a supportive countermeasure.

Vaccination is a proven preventive measure against viral communicable diseases such as COVID-19. As viruses like SARS-CoV-2 can mutate into different variants, additional measures such as the use of face coverings prove useful.

This work has recently appeared as the cover article in the October 2022 issue of the peer-reviewed Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry’s Open Access TAPPI Journal. The journal recognized the collaborative study with the Indian flag’s tricolor background on the cover.

The work highlights the value of advanced textiles such as filters in enhancing human health, as well as the need for multidisciplinary research efforts to grow the global textiles industry.

The United States Department of Defense and Cotton Incorporated are funding multiple research projects looking at functional and sustainable advanced textiles. Recently, India’s Ministry of Textiles through its National Mission on Technical Textiles is supporting multiple research projects to boost the advanced textiles sector.

Today, our paper, “Electrospinning on Nanofibers,” published in the respected peer-reviewed journal in the field of Polymer Science, Journal of Applied Polymer Science has reached a milestone.

According to Google Scholar, this paper has reached 2024 citations. This paper has for past few years been recognized as Most Accessed and Most Cited paper by Wiley’s Journal of Applied Polymer Science.

Google Scholar Citation

Electrospinning of nanofibers       2024 (Citations)    2005 (Year)

T Subbiah, GS Bhat, RW Tock, S Parameswaran, SS Ramkumar

Journal of applied polymer science 96 (2), 557-569

This paper formed the basis of our research in nanofibers by my former graduate student Thandavamoorthy Subbiah, who joined my group when I began my research on defense materials at Texas Tech University. Thandav discovered “self-assembly in PU nanofibers,” which again has good citations, published in Journal of Applied Polymer Science.

Professor Ronald Kendall, Founding Director of TIEHH believed in my efforts and supported me early on, although I was an ugly duckling at TIEHH with background in engineering and carrying out research on countermeasures against chemical toxin, as  a materials scientist.

Thandav moved to California becoming an entrepreneur. Today, he is a successful businessman providing jobs to many.

It has been a good 24-year ride at Texas Tech University. Many are to be thanked.

Ramkumar: Facemasks enabled returning to normalcy

SESHADRI RAMKUMAR

Published 2:23 a.m. CT Feb. 20, 2022

Opportunities for cotton in life-saving applications has

gained prominence. Thanks to COVID-19, advanced

products involving cotton and its blends in non-commodity

market space is getting a serious look. With the

COVID-19 wave waning and many states in the United

States easing their facemask recommendations, it is

important to understand the role played by face coverings

offering varied levels of protection during the pandemic.

It is expected that United States’ CDC may also ease its

facemask recommendations in the coming weeks.

For nearly two years, facemasks have been a much-debated

READ MORE

Ramkumar: Local cotton gets favorable look from south Indian textile spinners

SESHADRI RAMKUMAR

Published 4:57 a.m. CT Jan. 31, 2022

High Plains of Texas cotton is getting attention in South India.

The cotton price situation is creating a lot of anxiety in the global textile sector. Particularly in India, which is a large textile producing country, high cotton prices are being carefully watched, as it is having ripple effects across economy and employment.

In an interesting twist to the cotton story, cotton from the High Plains of Texas is getting a favorable consideration from South Indian textile spinners.

Spinning industry is heavily concentrated in the southern state of Tamil Nadu and the textile industry is situated in Coimbatore, Erode and Thiruppur regions. Additionally, mills are situated in cotton growing areas in Virudhunagar districts.

High prices coupled with lack of consistent quality have made spinning industries look for alternatives to Indian cotton. Indian spinning associations have been asking the government to waive the import duty of 10% on cotton.

In a recent phone call with Velmurugan Shanmugam, general manager of Jayalakshmi Textiles, based in Aruppukkottai in South India, revealed that they are seriously looking at cotton from the High Plains of Texas in their raw material mix. Another large mill reportedly has also booked an order of about 1,000 tons of U.S. cotton, again showing interest in imported cotton.

According to Velmurugan, Jayalakshmi Textiles has booked 300 tons of High Plains cotton and the consignment is expected to arrive in Tuticorin port, which is near their mills within four months. He said he hopes that by that time, government will make a favorable decision on the import duty on cotton.

Many textile spinners are also exploring imported cotton. Indian spinners such as Jayalakshmi Textiles have been using a small quantity of Giza cotton for high quality yarns of 100-120s Ne. Jayalakshmi Textiles spins fine count yarns catering to sheeting and saree materials.

While landed price, including import tax, may be slightly higher than the price of domestic cotton, mills in India are also paying attention to quality and its consistency.

The Indian cotton sector should pay attention to quality and delivery consistency and enable farmers to achieve high quality standards.

Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar is a professor in the department of environmental toxicology at Texas Tech University.

Texas Tech researchers author study using new standardized mask filtration testing to evaluate effectiveness of alternative facial coverings.

Seshadri Ramkumar, a professor of chemical countermeasures and advanced materials in Texas Tech University's Department of Environmental Toxicology, has co-authored a study utilizing standardized methods to evaluate common household fabrics as alternative materials for barrier face coverings. Olukayode James Ayodeji, a PhD candidate in the Department of Environmental Toxicology, conducted the standardized tests measuring the filtration efficiency (FE) of different facial coverings.

View More

On October 19, 2021, Texas Public Radio Network’s program Texas Standard interviewed, Dr. Seshadri  Ramkumar on the cotton oil absorbent work. The talk showcased the sustainable advantages of cotton nonwoven as oil absorbent.

• Listen to the radio interview

• Read the Interview

Texas Tech professor’s cotton mat could improve oil spill clean up | Texas Standard

A new, super-absorbent cotton mat could improve developed by researchers in Lubbock and India could improve chemical spill cleanups. The mat repels water, but absorbs chemicals such as crude oil. Its developers are pitching it as a sustainable way to mitigate the impact of events like oil spills ...

www.texasstandard.org

Ramkumar: Considering face coverings, safety and children

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

With the new academic year just started in the United States, what type of face masks are needed?

There is debate and discussion going on regarding the use of face masks for school children who cannot be vaccinated yet and the necessity of these masks as an important countermeasure.

Ongoing research in our laboratory has shown that layered masks are better compared with single-layer masks. As comfort is a factor, in addition to filtration, next-to-skin comfort can be provided using a cotton layer and additional layers can be used to enhance filtration. While N95 masks are the gold standard, 3-ply face masks can provide filtration of small particles with a filtration efficiency in the range of 80-90 percent, proving multilayered masks are needed.

READ MORE

Dr. Ramkumar's Interview With Texas Standard

Don’t Throw Away Your Homemade Mask, But Make Sure It’s Giving You Maximum Protection Against The Delta Variant | Texas Standard

Texas Standard, which is aired on 30+ National Public Radio stations across Texas, including Texas Tech Public Media has carried an interview of Professor Seshadri Ramkumar on the usefulness of face masks in fighting the pandemic on August 20, 2021.

University Community Joins Plastic Free July

Challenge

LUCY GREENBERG   July 1, 2021

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Faculty, staff and students have the opportunity to see if they can make it through a month without using single-use plastics.

This month is Plastic Free July.

Every year, the Plastic Free Foundation hosts a monthlong challenge in July with the goal of reducing the use of single-use plastic. Many people complete the challenge every year. This year, Texas Tech University is joining in.

Texas Tech spearheads research initiatives year-round when it comes to consuming less plastic and identifying alternative materials. One example is the research being conducted by the Department of Environmental Toxicology in using cotton to absorb toxic oil as well as alternative material to plastic such as cotton nonwoven wipes.

“Plastics are petroleum based and they do not degrade, unlike natural materials like cotton,” said Seshadri Ramkumar, a professor in the Department of Environmental Toxicology in Texas Tech's College of Arts & Sciences. “Plastics add to the environmental burden. Issues like global warming and landfills arise due to non-biodegradable materials. Reduce, reuse and recycle should be the goal.”

It can certainly be daunting to go from using plastic every day to suddenly using none. Plastic is in almost everything we use. However, there is a difference between single-use plastics and reusable plastics.

Saving Lives: India’s Technical Textile Revolution Paved Way for COVID-19 Response

GLENYS YOUNG, JUNE 2, 2021

Seshadri Ramkumar has played a vital role in the industry’s growth over two-plus decades.

As COVID-19 surged through the U.S. last spring and summer, the country found itself facing an alarming shortage of the personal protective equipment (PPE) frontline health care workers desperately needed to battle the pandemic.

This year, on the other side of the globe, India is embroiled in the same struggle, except for one key thing. Until mid-2020, the U.S. relied on China to produce most of the PPE it used. In contrast, India is self-reliant – it can produce its own PPE because of its widespread support for and adoption of the technical textiles industry. Technical textiles such as nonwoven fabrics are important components of face masks, medical gowns and PPE.

It wasn't always this way, but the work of one Texas Tech University professor over the last two-plus decades has played a vital role in preparing India for the very fight it's in now.

After completing his doctorate in materials, textiles and fiber science in 1998, Seshadri Ramkumar joined Texas Tech. In 1999, with a major investment from the U.S. Department of Defense, he began researching nonwoven materials for defensive applications, such as chemical and environmental decontamination.

Mask Mandates Reduced COVID-19 in Roughly Two-Thirds of States

Published Thursday (April 1) in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, the research analysis by doctoral student James Ayodeji and his adviser Seshadri Ramkumar, professor of chemical countermeasures and advanced materials, shows that roughly two-thirds of states saw a reduction in COVID-19 cases in the three to four weeks after enacting a mask mandate.

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Division Leadership and Service Award Presented to

Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar

Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar received the 2020 Nonwovens Engineers & Technologists Division’s Leadership and Service Award from the Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI). TAPPI is a leading professional organization and is over 100 years old.

Texas Tech Decontamination Wipe Finds New Use Helping Animals

GLENYS YOUNG, JANUARY 27, 2021

FiberTectTM was conceived for military applications but has since expanded into oil spills and, now, animal operations.

Anyone with a dog knows what happens when the animal gets wet: the big shake that throws water all over everyone and everything nearby. But what happens if the dog is covered in something more hazardous than water?

It also gets thrown all over everyone and everything nearby.

Two years ago, Brett Huff, an animal decontamination specialist, was looking for a better solution than the diluted-dish-soap-and-water method he was using to clean animals. It was messy, distressing to the animals – even in warm weather, let alone the freezing temperatures of winter – and, when it was all over, he had a huge amount of contaminated water to dispose of, which had to be done safely.

That's when a member of the U.S. Army's Special Forces asked if he'd heard of FiberTectTM.

The Truth About Cotton Waste

In commemoration of World Cotton Day (Oct 7), Washington, DC-based influential global association of governments with stake in the cotton sector, International Cotton Advisory Committee has released a video on new applications of cotton. "Cotton Oil Absorbent" research carried out in Professor Seshadri Ramkumar's laboratory at Texas Tech University is highlighted in the video that includes many breakthroughs in cotton. Oil absorbent work appears at the 2-minute segment.

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Tech cotton researcher develops COVID-19 protection

By: Adán Rubio

News Editor Aug 26, 2020

When thinking of COVID-19 defenses, one may not think about a fiber that can be found across the state. For one Texas Tech professor, cotton is a key component to developing effective masks.

Seshadri Ramkumar, professor of advanced materials in the Tech Department of Environmental Toxicology, has been researching the use of cotton in filtration processes for many years. With the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, he now is using his knowledge of filtration and cotton fibers to develop more efficient masks.

LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Seeing the good that can come from masking

Posted Aug 16, 2020 at 12:01 AM

As schools and colleges begin to open, there is new normal in the shopping list — masks.

There is more good out of masking — safety and indeed opportunities for economic revival.

COVID-19 has genuinely raised the profile of items such as masks and hygiene products. When the pandemic was at its peak, lack of availability of surgical and respiratory masks exposed the vulnerability of our nation in a few sectors, as China has been controlling those markets. Nevertheless, COVID-19 has in fact rejuvenated interest and the need of the manufacturing sector.

Lubbock and Texas Tech have a long history of forward thinking by investing in research and education. This fact has gained great visibility in the present pandemic with Texas Tech having the state’s first COVID-19 testing center, whose seed was sown way back in 1997 with the establishment of The Institute of Environmental and Human Health with renowned wildlife toxicologist Dr. Ronald Kendall as its founding director.

No one would have envisioned that at numerous major disaster, whether it was Hurricane Katrina, or the Gulf of Mexico oil spill or the COVID-19, the institute is at forefront. Investment some 23 years back in the R&D infrastructure is richly paying off with the development of critical technologies such as FiberTect wipe, establishing testing centers, attracting topnotch scientists and students from around the world to Lubbock—all contributing positively to the local economy.

The effort is a showcase of good partnership between town and gown, which again has become critical in controlling the pandemic. “This kind of partnership is exactly what is needed with COVID-19, which is a significant biological threat to our nation. COVID-19 has not only impacted our health and well-being as United States citizens, but it has also had enormous economic impacts on our economy and our financial well-being,” Kendall said.

Texas Tech professor collaborates with local businesses to enhances cloth masks

by: Olivia Whitehead

Posted: Jul 3, 2020 / 11:30 AM CDT / Updated: Jul 3, 2020 / 12:25 PM CDT

LUBBOCK, Texas — COVID-19 is continuing to evolve, which means prevention measures must evolve with it. With the constant need for masks, surgical and N95 respirators are in short supply.

The Centers for Disease Control now recommends cloth alternatives to surgical and respirator masks.

Scarborough Specialties Inc. has taken matters into their own hands by producing cloth face masks.

“Something is better than nothing, to get something on peoples faces and help protect them from coughing and sneezing and whatever it is,” CEO Jay Jacobus said. “Its is not going to be as good [as a respirator], but has definitely proven to give some level of protection.”

This protection is not only for yourself but for others as well. According to Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D., a Texas Tech Professor of Chemical Countermeasures and Advanced Materials, the chances of protection from infection increases with a barrier.

“The two major theories are fibrous, fine particles either travel as an aerosol, depending on the size and the load, and if they are a heavier size they go as a droplet and settle,” he said. “So it’s airborne, predominantly. Your chances of protecting yourself and others is far better if you have an barrier.”

To magnify this barrier, Ramkumar created a filter in collaboration with Scarborough. This filter consists of a non-woven cotton insert that enhances the effectiveness of cloth masks.

“It’s a cotton filtrate, substrate material that is really more like a raw type of cotton.” Jacobus said. “We figured a way to integrate that as a filter into our other mask that we were making, and it’s been a great opportunity to give a whole different layer of filtration.”

They both said that the filter isn’t meant to replace surgical masks, but instead add an extra shield of protection against the virus when used with cloth face coverings.

PROFESSOR: NONWOVEN COTTON CAN MAKE BETTER FACE MASKS

The use of face masks has become commonplace for many people as more businesses reopen, and one professor says some masks work better than others.

Wednesday, May 20th 2020, 12:43 AM CDT by Tori McGee