Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 38-04, Section: B, page: 1853. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1976.

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The effects of fiber and constructional variables on the properties of hydroentangled nonwovens important to their performance when used as batting components in firefighter turnout systems are investigated. Para-aramid, meta-aramid and oxidized PAN constructions are characterized on the basis of thermal insulation, flexibility and durability performance. The contribution of batting properties to the thermal protective performance provided by multilayer turnout systems is examined for selected turnout lay ups. Optimized thermal liner systems are suggested based on layered constructions including the properties of the face cloth components.

Despite the latest polymer materials and surgical suturing techniques, the knot will always be the weakest point of the tied suture loop. In theory, the knot must be as small as possible to prevent an excessive amount of tissue reaction and a delay in healing. There have been reports suggesting that topical cyanoacrylate adhesives could have a reinforcing effect on a surgeonâs knot. Such an outcome could lead to the elimination of knot slippage and the unsatisfactory performance of some surgical knots. The main purpose of this study was to determine if cyanoacrylate adhesive could have a significant reinforcing effect on typical suture types and sizes when tied as a surgeonâs knot. The second aim was to evaluate if the cyanoacrylate adhesive could replace an additional throw in the surgeonâs knot so as to achieve an equivalent mechanical performance. The topical cyanoacrylate adhesive LiquiBand® was combined with six different suture materials (TicronTM, SurgidacTM, Ethilon*, Nurolon*, BiosynTM and PDS*II) in four different sizes (USP 5-0, USP 3-0, USP 0 and USP 1). The surgeonâs knot (2=1) with and without one (2=1=1) and two additional throws (2=1=1=1) were tied in a reproducible way and mechanically tested. Six dependent variables were used to evaluate the performance of each knot with and without adhesive. The performance criteria were: the force at loop failure, the maximum loop-holding force, the loop holding capacity, the knot efficiency, the knot elongation efficiency and the loop distraction. From the results and from scanning electron microscopic observations of the reinforced knots, the cyanoacrylate adhesive was found to significantly improve the knot performance. The improvement was superior with braided sutures and with absorbable polymer sutures. The reinforcement was more significant with thicker suture sizes and with the plain surgeonâs knot. Finally, it was found that, according to the six performance criteria, the cyanoacrylate adhesive could not replace an additional throw in the surgeonâs knot.

Flame retardant chemicals were used as topical finishes on cotton and cotton blended fabric. Comparison of flame resistance and durability of non-bromine/non-antimony flame retardants were explored based on flame resistance testing and physical testing results. Three 100% cotton fabrics and 3 cotton blended fabrics were used. Twenty one different commercially available flame retardants were used as topical finishes on all fabric types. Fabrics were treated and tested at 0, 5, 10 and 25 washes. Final results show that two of the phosphorus flame retardants were durable to 25 washes. Physical testing results show that there were undesirable side effects from the two durable topical treatments. The two phosphorus based flame retardants outperformed the bromine/antimony flame retardants and the non-treated samples in flame resistance.

The purpose of this research was to develop a model to reduce errors in transactional processes within companies. The model created utilized three error proofing concepts: the FMEA, TRIZ Solution Directions, and the Error Proofing Healthcare (EPH) model. The research involved analyzing 250 FMEAâs that were previously conducted in a large transactional corporation and obtaining feedback from associates. The model that was created consisted of three phases. Phase one identifies the potential failures that could occur within a process while phase two uses TRIZ solution directions to create multiple innovative solutions and phase three uses a method called Solution Priority Number (SPN) to rank and evaluate the solutions generated. The SPN consists of the return on investment (ROI) and the ease of implementation of each solution. Excel worksheets were created to support the Error Proofing Transaction (EPT) model. A case study was performed within a large transactional corporation. A team completed the existing FMEA and then completed the new EPT model. When comparing the existing FMEA and the EPT model it was found that the EPT model reduced the team meeting time by 50% and produced more failure modes, more effects, more causes, more high risk failure modes, as well as a more enhanced set of solutions.

The purpose of this research was to develop a composite flooring system to be used in the equine surgical unit in the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University. This material was developed due to an extensive need for a new flooring system that would accurately meet the needs of the customers and stakeholders involved. Research included the origin of Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), tools that differentiated it from previous design processes, past/present flooring solutions, structure/dynamics of a horse, horse tendencies, and composite theories. By implementing the five step procedure of DFSS, Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, and Verify, a sound product was able to be realized. Certain DFSS tools were implemented such as Voice of the Customer Analysis, Reverse Engineering, Brainstorming, Design of Experiment, Pugh Concept Analysis, Computer Aided Design, and Finite Element Modeling. The end solution was a composite flooring system that meets the needs of not only the primary market but many secondary markets as well.

In the United States alone, people consume and discard over 500 billion pounds of wastes annually. Wastes discarded in landfills create threats to land, air, and water, but also represent lost resources. Recycling has the ability to divert wastes from landfills and recover precious raw materials. However, recycling activities are only as efficient as the reverse logistics and supply chains that support them. These areas are relatively new, but successful implementations have real benefits for companies in terms of profits and environmental goodwill. Many companies are creating closed loop supply chains where forward and reverse activities are interlinked in cyclical processes. Ideally, a virgin input enters the system only once and is recycled forever. The problem with most current closed loop supply chains is that they are product-specific. When a closed-loop supply chain is designed, the product must be designed so that it can easily be recycled back into the supply chain. The problem is that the product must contain a minimum number of dissimilar components. For textile products, this presents a real challenge because of fiber blends and finishes that make component separation difficult. These problems create the need to design textile recycling systems. This research focuses on the logistical systems necessary to recycle textile materials. Methodologies for estimating post-consumer carpet (PCC) returns and trailer loading capacities are first discussed, followed by location allocation models that determine the geographical placement of recycling sites of an existing carpet collection network. The location allocation model utilizes zip code populations to allocate percentages of the PCC returns to the collection sites. The population for each site is determined by summing the five-digit zip code populations within a specified collection radius. The collection site weight is then calculated as the percentage of the total population for the collection network. A proposed national network model, based on three-digit zip codes, has also been developed. This model includes economies of scale for recycling processing costs. Increasing annual returns have been modeled to study the effects of changing network morphologies on the location and allocation of recycling sites. A PCC reverse supply chain cost model is also presented to study the cost relationships of the activities that comprise the recycling network. Transportation costs from the location allocation models were utilized in the model, as well as cost data from industry. It was found that processing costs are the main drivers in a nylon 6 recycling network, while a nylon 6,6 network is sensitive to cost changes in any reverse activity. Quantified results show that either recycling technologies must become more efficient or virgin nylon prices must increase for recycled nylon to be competitive with virgin polymers.

Glow discharges and low temperature plasmas and their applications have increasingly entered various areas of industrial applications. The textile industry is a developing area for application of atmospheric plasma techniques with significant growth potential. Technological advances made possible by plasma processes can reduce the costs for production by reduction in process times, improve the quality of product, generate products with new surface or bulk properties, and contribute to an environmentally sustainable work environment. A novel dual functional textile material was developed which possesses co-existing hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity on opposite faces utilizing atmospheric pressure plasma. One side of the substrate repels water whereas the other side absorbs water. The sequence and chemistry of the plasma aided side specific treatment of poly (ethylene terephthalate)/ polyurethane blend knitted fabric and cellulose with fluorocompound namely 1, 1, 2, 2- tetrahydroperfluorodecyl acrylate (70- 90%) and 1, 1, 2, 2- tetrahydroperfluorododecyl acrylate (10- 30%) was demonstrated to obtain the dual functionality. Effect of process and device parameters such as variation of (1) flow rate of monomer, (2) flow rate of helium and (3) flow rate of argon, (4) RF power, (5) time of plasma exposure to the fabric, (6) gap between electrodes, (7) prewashing the material before treatments and (8) preliminary plasma treatment on the fabric performance was also studied in this research.

When treated with formaldehyde-based crosslinkers, cellulosic fabrics show improved mechanical stability, wrinkle recovery angles and durable press performance, but N-methylol treatment also causes fabrics to lose strength and later to release formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen. We have discovered that ionic crosslinks can stabilize cellulose using high or low molecular weight ionic materials which do not release hazardous reactive chemicals, but at the same time provide improved wrinkle recovery angles as well as complete strength retention in treated goods. We have varied polyelectrolyte, the ionic content of fabrics, and various features of the application procedure to optimize the results and to develop an in-depth fundamental physical and chemical understanding of the stabilization mechanism.