Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar
March 14, 2023
Seshadri Ramkumar Receives Silver Medal for Research from Society of Dyers & Colourists, United Kingdom
UK-based Society of Dyers & Colourists (SDC) has bestowed Ramkumar with Silver Medal for research in Sustainable Technical Textiles that protects environment. The silver medal was received on March 14, 2023.
February 17, 2023
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.
February 27, 2023
February 12, 2023
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.
February 3, 2023
December 19, 2022
Business Alliances are Critically Needed for the Textile Industry
By Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar | December 18, 2022
Establishing robust business partnerships is important to boost the demand of textile and technical textile products.
Inflation still has the upper hand on the economy at 7.1% in the United States. The Federal Reserve of the United States has hiked the interest rate by 0.5% effective December 15, signaling the need to continue to cool down the economy. With economic slowdown still a possibility in 2023, textile and other manufacturing sectors are looking for ways to be sustainable.
“Business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) partnerships need to be strengthened and have to be established in sectors where such efforts are weak,” stated Dr. Babu John-Mariadoss, Associate Professor of Marketing at Texas Tech University.
The U.S. cotton industry has been the leader in B2B and B2C initiatives, which continue to be successful in improving the market share of cotton. Cotton producers contribute to research and marketing programs where, particularly through Cotton Incorporated, positive attributes of cotton are widely broadcast to domestic and international consumers.
In addition to such B2C efforts, programs are aimed at yarn spinners, fabric manufacturers, and finishers highlighting the advantages of cotton. Efforts are also ongoing to reach out to the nonwovens and technical textile sectors to boost their consumption of natural fibers.
The global market size of B2B is larger than that of B2C and will reach $1.8 trillion in the United States, according to Forrester. In these stressful economic conditions, consumers want products at an affordable rate and squeezing price points across the supply chain is of importance. Having robust B2B relationships and a reliable supply chain can translate into cost-competitive products. Cost cutting at manufacturing and distribution channels will be helpful in the current circumstance.
“In the United States, distribution channel members such as distributors, wholesalers, and retailers collectively earn margins ranging between 30% and 50% of the selling price,” said John-Mariadoss.
Effective marketing has been a bottleneck in the growth of the technical textiles sector in developing economies. Dual-prong approaches involving B2B and B2C tactics are needed to boost this sector. Consumer goods manufacturers like Kimberly-Clark and Proctor & Gamble, which manufacture branded single-use hygiene products, have established robust B2B and B2C initiatives.
Policy schemes in countries that are aiming to boost technical and advanced textile sectors should focus on technical and marketing support. Until the time the technical textiles industry reaches a critical level, government support should also focus on marketing, such as promotional initiatives modeled after the United States cotton industry. There can be public-private partnerships for promotional efforts to create awareness on the use of sustainable fiber-based advanced textiles in hygiene, healthcare, and industrial sectors.
India has been investing in the National Mission on Technical Textiles, which has created awareness among businesses on different sectors of the technical textiles industry. There is an urgent need to reach consumers. Hence, B2C efforts should go into high gear.
As the industry starts growing, such efforts will be picked up by the private sector, as is the case in developed economies. For example, while single-use hygiene product manufacturers are involved in B2C campaigns such as mass advertisement, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers also participate in such efforts. Many different marketing efforts happen through B2B dealings, and supply chain channels also agree to cost sharing arrangements regarding marketing.
“Trustworthy business relationships and marketing campaigns are very crucial for business development and growth,” added John-Mariadoss.
Business alliances involve a variety of negotiations, deal-making, and marketing tactics. Business and consumer partnerships are especially important to deliver cost-competitive products during tight economic situations.
December 13, 2022
Ramkumar Awarded Honorary Membership by Textile Association (India)
By Cotton Grower Staff | December 14, 2022
Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor with the Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech University, has been awarded Honorary Membership in the Textile Association (India).
Announced Dec. 13, Ramkumar is being recognized for his services in spearheading the growth of the technical textiles sector in India. Over the past two decades, his collaborations in India helped strengthen the country’s textile sector, allowing it to be self-reliant in PPE during the COVID-19 crisis.
Honorary Membership is the highest honor bestowed by the Textile Association to recognize individuals who have significantly contributed to India’s textile industry and advanced the sector by creating new industrial landscapes.
Ramkumar – a frequent contributor to Cotton Grower magazine and other publications – will receive the award during the association’s World Textile Conference-3 in Ahmedabad, India, on Feb. 25-26, 2023.
Established in 1939, the Textile Association (India) is the world’s largest professional association serving the fiber-to-fashion supply chain, with more than 25,000 members.
December 13, 2022
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.
November 28, 2022
Institute for Forensic Science (IFS) spotlighted globally on the importance of developing new absorbent for regulated substances like fentanyl
Prof. Seshadri Ramkumar, a colleague in our institute wrote in a column about new developments in FiberTect decontamination wipe, where, views of Dr. Jan Halameck, Director of IFS has appeared. The article also has the views of Dr. Vaclav Trojan, International Clinical Research Center at Brno-based Masaryk University, Czech Republic. Dr. Trojan is a collaborator in projects with IFS.
IFS is involved in the evaluation of advanced materials that find applications in Forensics, National Defense and Homeland Security, in collaboration with Dr. Ramkumar.
Links with media attention can be found below:
https://ff.textiletoday.com.bd/nonwoven-wipe-innovation-global-security/
https://indiantextilejournal.com/nonwoven-wipe-innovation-for-global-security/
https://ff.textiletoday.com.bd/nonwoven-wipe-innovation-global-security/
https://tok-bg.org/2022/11/22/nonwoven-wipe-innovation-for-global-security/
November 23, 2022
Nonwoven Cotton Wipe Proven Innovation for Decontamination and Security
By Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar | November 22, 2022
With heightened political tensions in some regions of the world, high-tech sectors like defense, personnel protection, and semiconductors are gaining due attention. Likewise, advanced textiles are finding applications such as decontamination wipes, body armor, medical textiles, wearables, and more.
Investment in science and technology to boost innovation and grow the economy is recognized as a high priority in the United States and United Kingdom amidst dire economic situations. The Chips Act in the United States and the recent Autumn Statement by the United Kingdom’s Chancellor of Exchequer reinforce the need.
First Line Technology (FLT) has been working to develop multiple applications for the nonwoven wipe FiberTect that can help contribute to global security.
FiberTect, which evolved out of research and development at Texas Tech University, is a platform technology based on its universality to wipe away different CBRN agents, as well as its use of different fibers such as cotton, polyester, and blends as absorbent layers, depending on the application and need.
“FiberTect was one of the first patented technologies out of Texas Tech University, and through industry partnership with First Line Technology and Hobbs Bonded Fibers, it has proven to be one of the most widely commercialized technologies from TTU over the past two decades,” stated Cameron Smith, Director of Commercialization for the TTU System.
FLT’s continued efforts are taking FiberTect to the next level, making it a universal wipe for chemical, biological, and radiological protection. Recent work by the U. S. Army has shown that FiberTect is able to efficiently wipe away toxic microbes such as bacterial spores just using the dry FiberTect wipe. This method is advocated for cold weather regions of the world such as Siachen glacier and other high-altitude regions where liquid freezing makes wet decontamination methods inefficient. This study also showed that the FiberTect dry wipe can decontaminate Bacillus atrophaeus var. globigii (BG) spores up to 94.93%.
This research proves the applicability of the FiberTect nonwoven wipe against biological toxins, in addition to its efficacy against chemical agents like mustard gas and fentanyl particles.
FLT demonstrating the use of FiberTect to wipe away toxins from the skin of an animal. (Photo: First Line Technology)
“FiberTect was originally developed for toxic liquid chemicals such as chemical warfare agents, but it has proven equally effective at the physical removal of fine powders like fentanyl and weaponized bio-agents,” stated Corey Collings, Director of Research and Development at FLT.
“There is a need to develop functional products that can sense and wipe away opioids and fentanyl products,” stated Dr. Vaclav Trojan of the International Clinical Research Center at Masaryk University, Czech Republic. “These products, although used in pain treatments, are regulated items that need good control, and hence there is a need to develop effective decontamination products such as wipes.”
Adsorbent and absorbent wipes like FiberTect can play a vital role in wiping away fine particles that contain fentanyl compounds, added Trojan.
The need for such high-tech wipes has been expressed by Dr. Jan Halamek, Director of the Institute for Forensic Science at Texas Tech University. “The United States is going through an unparalleled opioid crisis where fentanyl and its analogs represent the deadliest drug threat we have ever encountered,” he stated. “Highly porous and absorbent wipes like FiberTect can be used as a decontamination countermeasure for fentanyl, which gives forensic scientists a tool to detect and decontaminate illicit drugs.”
FLT is advocating a “Blot-Apply-Remove” method that uses dry FiberTect wipes to wipe away bulk toxic agents. A small amount of reactive agent is applied, followed by again wiping with FiberTect. “The highly absorptive nature of FiberTect makes it far superior to paper towels or other absorbents in this procedure,” stated Collings.
Translating research from laboratory to the marketplace is critical these days for national security, economic growth, and job creation. FiberTect is a good model for such an activity, showcasing public-private partnerships. Initial applied research was supported by the United States government, and the private sector picked up the technology after robust evaluation by a United States National Laboratory.
“Universities are critical to the technology commercialization process, providing not only foundational research but also translational research, directly impacting the commercial market and economy with new technologies,” stated Smith.
Sources
Jana Kesavan et al., Evaluation of Cold Weather Decontamination Methods, American Journal of Disaster Medicine, Vol. 17 (1), 2022, pp. 13-21.
S. S. Ramkumar, “Process for Making Chemical Protective Wipes and Such Wipes,” U. S. Patent 7,516,525, April 2009.
A Better Method for Self-Decontamination, Lawrence Livermore National laboratory, S & TR, March 2009, pp. 20-22.
SEE THESE OTHER ARTICLES:
November 21, 2022
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 su cient 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 con dence
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.
November 17, 2022
Enhanced Demand Critical for the Cotton and Textile Industries
By Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar | November 15, 2022
Demand for discretionary products like textiles is low and needs enhancement.
New cotton harvests are arriving in India and the High Plains of Texas. However, current demand is weak compared to last year.
On Nov. 14, the Cotton Association of India (CAI), released the 2022-23 cotton supply and demand in India. Cotton production in India during 2022-23 (October 2022 to September 2023) is estimated to be 34.4 million bales (170 Kgs/bale), while the total supply will be 38.78 million bales (170 Kgs/bale). Consumption is estimated to be about 30 million bales, which is lower than the previous year’s usage.
This year (Oct. 2002-Sep. 2023), Indian domestic consumption by spinners is expected to be lower by 1.8 million bales compared to the previous cotton year, indicating the squeeze in the demand side.
With the beginning of new cotton season in India, Velmurugan Shanmugam, General Manager of Jayalakshmi Textiles, indicated that the cotton stock situation is good. “Yarn demand is less than what it was during this period last year,” he added. From June to October 2022, daily cotton yarn production at Jayalakshmi Textiles was only about 60% of normal production indicating weak demand.
Geopolitical and economic scenarios are playing their part in influencing the demand of textile and other non-essential products, stated Mark Brown, Field Services Director of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. in Lubbock, TX. Similar sentiments have been expressed by industry leaders in India.
“Product demand is pathetic,” stated Gnanasekar Thiagarajan, Director of Mumbai-based commodity research firm, Commtrendz Research. “It is interesting that Chinese yarns are available in India at discounted prices, adding pressure to the Indian spinning sector.”
I have been emphasizing the need for enhancing cotton demand by exploring new markets and developing value-added products. Cotton, being a natural fiber, has a good story to tell regarding product sustainability.
The industry is hoping that the United States’ interest rate hike, which is expected to moderate in the coming months, will improve demand for items like textiles. Enquiries must be materialized as orders, which depend on multiple factors like energy situation, inflation, political tensions in Europe, U.S.-China relations, and more. The Bangladesh textile sector also is affected by high energy prices as well as availability issues.
All eyes are on India, which is expected to surpass China as the world’s most populated country in the next year. It is a dominant player in cotton production and textile manufacturing. The Government of India is encouraging its synthetic sector to grow to enhance India’s textile offerings and capacity.
Three countries will play a dominant role in geopolitics as well as the textile space: the United States, China, and India.
November 10, 2022
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.
November 10, 2022
United Kingdom based Society of Dyers and Colourists, founded in 1884 has awarded Dr. Seshadri S. Ramkumar the Silver Medal for work regarding sustainability in coloration, based on our nanofiber work and cotton for oil absorption.
The medal was designated for the year 2020, but due to COVID-19 hiatus, the award ceremonies are being held only this year. As a procedure, two members of the Society have to nominate a scientist anonymously and the committee then makes its decision based on bylaws.
The Medal Certificate with Royal Charter seal was sent to (via e-mail), officially recognizing Dr. Ramkumar with the award.
October, 2022
September 29, 2022
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.
September 28, 2022
TOPIC(S): Cotton, Education U.S. West, Water, Sustainability,
Cotton Shows its Magic
On September 19, 2022, Dr. Tosha Dupras, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Texas Tech University.
February 20, 2022
Ramkumar: Facemasks enabled returning to normalcy
SESHADRI RAMKUMARPublished 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
February 13, 2022
Dr Seshadri Ramkumar Named TAPPI Fellow-Class of 2022
Dr Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor of Texas Tech University has been conferred fellowship of the Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry -TAPPI (www.tappi.org).With this recognition, Professor Ramkumar has been recognized as a *FELLOW* by three leading professional associations based in three continents:
1) Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry, USA
2) Textile Association India: World's largest professional association in the field of fiber-fashion field: Honorary Fellow (Highest Research Recognition), India
3) The Textile Institute, United Kingdom: World's oldest chartered professional association in the textile materials/industry field, England-UK.TAPPI elected its first class of fellows in 1968.
Dr Seshadri Ramkumar has several achievements to his credit including patents in the field of technical textiles and is closely associated with textiles industry in India. For the past one year, Dr Seshadri Ramkumar has been writing a column titled Horizons for Pallikkutam, The Education Observer.
• https://www.pallikkutam.com/edu-support/dr-seshadri-ramkumar-named-tappi-fellowclass-of-2022
• https://indiantextilejournal.com/tappi-recognises-prof-seshadri-ramkumar-with-its-fellowship/
March 13, 2022
TAPPI recognises Prof Seshadri Ramkumar with its Fellowship
Dr Seshadri RamkumarFebruary 12, 2022 7:52 am
Jan 31, 2022
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.
Jan 20, 2022
In the absence of N95 masks, multi-layered face masks with proper fit offer protection against omicron
Jan 19, 2022
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.
Dec 6, 2021
Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar is featured in the Texas Tech University Outreach and Engagement 2020/21 Annual Report
Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar's research on nonwoven materials for defensive applications, such as chemical and environmental decontamination, has been featured in 2020/2021 Annual Outreach and Engagement report.
"SAVING LIVES: INDIA’S TECHNICAL TEXTILE REVOLUTION PAVED WAY FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE" can be found on pg. 25 of the International Egagement section.
March 18, 2021
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
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 ...
October 4, 2021
TTU Student Senate Recognition
TTU’s Student Senate, the elected representative body of students has recognized Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar’ work on personnel protective equipment, face masks and in building the field of Technical Textiles in India, which has played vital role during COVID-19 pandemic. The student body passed this as a Student Senate Resolution 57.22 in its September 2021 meeting.
October 5, 2021
Indo-U.S. Collaborative Cotton-Based Product Can Absorb Oil Spills Quickly, Sustainably
ELYSSA SANDERS \ OCTOBER 5, 2021
Nonwoven cotton could be the solution to recurring oil spills around the globe, according to one Texas Tech professor.
On Sunday (Oct. 3), approximately 126,000 gallons of crude oil leaked into the Pacific Ocean after a pipeline burst near the Southern California coast. Now, the U.S. Coast Guard is racing against time to contain the spill and mitigate environmental damage.
Seshadri Ramkumar, a professor of chemical countermeasures and advanced materials at Texas Tech University's Department of Environmental Toxicology, in collaboration with his research team and the India-based company Jayalakshmi Textiles, has developed a sustainable cotton product that can absorb oil instantaneously.
“Oil spills have become a recurring issue around the world, destroying wildlife habitats, compromising food sources and threatening human health,” Ramkumar said. “With this product, Texas Tech is at the forefront of research developments in oil-absorbing materials.”
Using untreated low-grade cotton, Ramkumar and his team developed an absorbent, nonwoven mat capable of collecting 50 times its own weight in oil. Raw, low-micronaire cotton is hydrophobic, meaning it will float on the surface of the water without sinking – ideal for toxic oil absorption.
September 27, 2021
TTU’s Innovation Hub has released Commercialization Roadmap 2.0, wherein the innovation from TIEHH, ”FiberTect™,” has been featured. Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar has collaborated with Chantilly-based First Line Technology to commercialize the decontamination wipe technology, which is used by first responders and many government agencies around the world.September 9, 2021
Sept 5, 2021
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.
Ramkumar
August 23, 2021
Dr. Ramkumar's Interview With Texas StandardDon’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.
August 11, 2021
Face Masks Can Filter Particles Similar to COVID-19 Microbes Size
By Camelia Juarez
Published: Aug. 10, 2021 at 6:48 PM CDT
LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD)
- Texas Tech researchers prove that cheap, three-ply masks can filter 90% of COVID-19 particles.
Even as the particles get smaller, consistent results show this mask filters out COVID-19 particles up to 90%.
To come to this conclusion, Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar said the fractional efficiency filter tester will pump particles, the same size as covid particles, on one side and count how many particles come through to the other side.
“Our results are proving again and again that this simple mask can protect small particles up to 90%. That’s some magic. This is a magic lifesaver. So you don’t have to go for an expensive mask, regular three ply mass can do the trick,” Ramkumar said
Health experts say the delta variant is tearing through the state because it has a higher viral load- meaning more covid particles. At the same time, the CDC encouraged vaccinated folks to wear masks indoors.
Doctor Ramkumar says this study shows protecting our hospitals, children and immune-compromised friends doesn’t cost much.
Let’s practice safety, which is doable. It’s not $10 a piece facemask it’s just 10 cents at the maximum or $1 at the maximum. Doctor Ramkumar is going around town testing different masks, and working to enhance the filtration of cotton masks, but for now—he insists these will do the trick.
“Let’s practice safety, which is doable. It’s not $10 a piece facemask it’s just 10 cents at the maximum, or $1 at the maximum.”
Doctor Ramkumar is going around town testing different masks, and working to enhance the filtration of cotton masks, but for now—he insists these will do the trick.
July 28, 2021
Also See Media Coverage from:
Professor Researches
Effectiveness of Face Masks Against Particles Similar in Size to Coronavirus
Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar’s data shows three-ply face masks can filter out 60-80% of simulated viral particles between 150 and 30 nanometers in diameter, respectively.
July 12, 2021
Impact of TIEHH Research in Saving Lives
July 1, 2021
University Community Joins Plastic Free July
Challenge
LUCY GREENBERG July 1, 2021
June 2, 2021
Saving Lives: India’s Technical Textile Revolution Paved Way for COVID-19 ResponseGLENYS 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.
READ ARTICLE FROMLUBBOCKAVALANCHE JOURNALREAD ARTICLE FROMCOLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
April 5, 2021
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.
February 9, 2021
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.
January 27, 2021
Texas Tech Decontamination Wipe Finds New Use Helping AnimalsGLENYS 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.
December 16, 2020
Researchers At Texas Tech Use Photodegradation
To Remove Toxic Dyes From Wastewater
A team of Texas Tech University researchers working in advanced textiles has found a new
way to remove toxic dye pollutants from wastewater, and their approach is safer, cheaper and easier than traditional methods.
December 10, 2020
Science News For Students cited Why today’s ‘fast fashions’ can be bad for the planet
The constant buy-wear-toss cycle of such clothes also costs more in the long run
November 2,2020
Grad Students Explore Cotton as a COVID-19 Countermeasure
October 7, 2020
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.
August 31, 2020
Tech cotton researcher develops COVID-19 protectionBy: 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.
August 16, 2020
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.
July 3, 2020
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.
May 27, 2020
May 20, 2020
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
May 14, 2020
International Collaboration Develops Innovative Face Mask for COVID-19
By Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar | May 14, 2020
As industries in India and other economics slowly resume their manufacturing activities, social distancing and strict hygiene practices have become a new normal. This has enhanced the need for hand sanitizers, gloves and face masks. Industries are looking for innovative ways to survive by repurposing their capacities that can cater to meeting the COVID-19 situation.
Arrow Brogues, Pvt. Ltd., a shoe manufacturer in Ranipet, India, is collaborating with the Nonwovens and Advanced Laboratory at Texas Tech University and Chennai-based WellGro United to develop filtering and fashionable face masks.
Arrow Brogues has been manufacturing shoes for 20 years, catering to Indian and foreign markets such as Italy, Germany and United Kingdom. The new masks, which use nonwoven cotton as the core filter substrate, are released under brand name H.F. Journey. The design expertise of Arrow Brogues has been valuable in the development of H.F. Journey masks, and WellGro United supplies the core filter substrate for the masks.
“We understand the need for protection technologies and hence sought the collaboration with Texas Tech University in developing masks that have functionality and fashion sense,” stated Velayutham Pandy, managing director of Arrow Brogues.
The project showcases timely innovation, as it has repurposed the cotton nonwoven technology to develop filter substrate. “This is a milestone for WellGro United, as it has created a new vertical in our line of products which find timely use,” stated Nambi Srinivasan, vice president marketing of WellGro United.
It is pleasing to report cotton is finding new applications in the current COVID-19 scenario, enabling a few timely innovations.
April 30, 2020
Lubbock Groups Develop New Face Mask with Cotton Nonwoven Filter
By Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar | April 30, 2020
A prototype of the new face cover developed with cotton nonwoven as core filter substrate.
“In the time of stress, it is necessary to collaborate and find the right partners to develop tools to race against COVID-19,” stated Ronald Kendall, Jr., founder and president of E Innovate.
Prior to COVID-19, the medical and first responder community widely used N95 and surgical masks. However, due to the severity of transmission and to support social distancing, face covers made from fabrics have evolved. Yet, depending on the structure and the material makeup, its ability to filter may vary. That need led to the collaboration to improve the filtration capability of common face covers.
April 27, 2020
March 18, 2020
Decontamination Wipe From Texas Tech Could Help Coronavirus Cleanup Efforts
FiberTect's structure, with its activated carbon core, can wipe the bodily fluids that transmit viruses.
A decontamination wipe invented by a Texas Tech University researcher to clean up toxic agents also could clean up bodily fluids contaminated with the coronavirus.
"It is widely used as the primary dry decontamination method in hospitals and ambulances," said Corey Collings, a training specialist for First Line Technology, which markets FiberTectTM. "Hospitals use it in bulk and in rolls, and ambulances use it in a kit called the FastGrab to do immediate decontamination of patients contaminated with a wide variety of substances."
Ramkumar: Face covers and the fight against COVID-19
Exploring Cotton’s Value in Face Covers to Fight COVID-19
Our view: Research, innovation keys in fighting pandemic