The Department of Textiles and Apparel (TXA) at Cornell University has joined the prestigious National Textile Center Consortium (NTC), a group of universities focused on research to sharpen the global competitiveness of the domestic textile and apparel industry. The program now brings together the combined knowledge and expertise of nine of the nation's leading textile research universities.

Academic research taking place under the direction of the NTC addresses all key aspects of the textile industry, from fiber production to marketing. In addition to research, education and partnership, the NTC also deals with concerns related to work-force training and job creation.

"It's critically important that we are now a member of the consortium because it allows us to compete for the only peer-reviewed federal funding available for research in apparel and textiles. This gives us more opportunities to conduct research of economic value to New York state's apparel industry," says Ann Lemley, chair and professor of TXA. "Becoming a member of the consortium is not only recognition of the importance of the fiber, textile and apparel industry in New York state but also a reflection of the quality of Cornell's research."

Cornell won three awards earlier this year at the 10th annual National Textile Center Research Forum in Charlotte, N.C., including the "best of show" poster for the NTC-supported body-scan project conducted by Cornell researchers Susan Ashdown and Suzanne Loker, in conjunction with faculty at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. The apparel experts use a state-of-the-art body scanner to take 3-D pictures of volunteers with the goals of developing a mathematical process to improve sizing systems, developing virtual try-on systems and creating custom-fitted garments. Other awards went to other Cornell professors of textiles and apparel: C.C. Chu for his plan to build a semitextile scaffold, made from new biodegradable hydrogels he invented, for engineering new tissues and organs for human body repair; and Kay Obendorf for her work on improving personal protective equipment and clothing for pesticide applicators. Anil Netravali, also a Cornell professor of textiles and apparel, presented his work on biodegradable composites made from cellulose fabrics and soy protein resin for use in products ranging from cars to computers, too.

"The NTC is critically important for the support of basic research and development efforts of value to the fiber, textile and apparel sector," says Patsy Brannon, dean of Cornell's College of Human Ecology. She notes her gratitude to legislative support from New York state's congressional team, including Reps. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY, 26th Dist.) and José Serrano (D-NY, 16th Dist.) and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY).

Says Brannon: "The global pressure on the textiles and apparel industry in the United States is profound. New York state has the second-largest apparel industry in the United States, and its competitiveness requires innovative and effective technology development through basic research and implementation. Our work through the National Textile Center will provide research and outreach education to enhance the competitiveness of our apparel industry."

Other NTC members include Auburn University, Clemson University, Georgia Institute of Technology, North Carolina State University, the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth College, Philadelphia University and the University of California-Davis.