Lowell Technological Institute - Pickout Yearbook (Lowell, MA)

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The method of attack that is being used by Professor Armstrong is to test the fabrics now used, and to test different fabric structures, coarser and finer than those used at this time. In this manner, the different test results when compiled may result in an answer, although a theoretical one, as to the optimum backing fabric. The United States Air Force has a few projects currently under investigation by the Foundation. These include a dyeing project tural fibers in order to obtain better yarns. These projects are sponsored by the Dow Chemical Co., the Bates Manufacturing Co., and the Carborundum Co., all in varying methods and degrees. All testing projects are handled directly by Professor Jacob Frederick and his staff. Tests on uniformity, strength of fibers, and fabrics are all conducted under his supervision with the excellent facilities available in the testing laboratories at the Institute. The Fractionating Column The Instron Tensile Tester under the supervision of Mr. Robert Peirent, a study of shock absorption under the -super- vision of Professor Adolph Katz, and a study of parachute fabrics conducted by Professor Joseph Masaschi. Other projects of interest are research to enable the improvement of synthetic and na- In recognition of the widespread need for a coordinated, detailed training program for research and management personnel of in- dustry related to textiles, the Lowell Textile Institute Research Foundation established the first annual Textile Workshop during the summer of 1951 under the direction of Profes-

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Lowell Textile Institute; and Mr. Martin J. Lydon, President of Lowell Textile Institute. If some agency, mill, or other concern has a problem which it wishes investigated by the Foundation, it brings it to the Executive Committee, as no research work is solicited. If this problem meets the requirements of a project, the agency will be accepted as a sponsor and the research work will be started. A project principal is chosen by the Execu- tive Director, a man capable of han- dling all the technical details required by the project. Once he has agreed to undertake the job, the wheels of the Foundation begin to turn, and the project is outlined and set up with the Foundation handling all the finan- cial arrangements. The project principal will choose assistants to aid him in his work if they are needed. He may approach faculty members or students, graduate or under grad- uate, for this aid. The projects are subdivided into three clas- sifications, testing, development, and research. Testing is a service to a particular sponsor in the imm ediate area to perform required tests with the apparatus available at the Institute but otherwise unavailable in the surrounding area. Development is a service also to a par- ticular sponsor to perform specified opera- tions on machinery available at the Institute but unavailable at the sponsor ' s plant. Re- search is a service for industry in general with one agency acting as the sponsor but the entire industry receiving the benefits of any dis- coveries. Discoveries are usually published in one or more of the various industrial journals. The Foundation has at this time various projects that will be of great importance to the future of the textile industry. One of these projects is a survey to determine the eco- nomic and technological position of the wool scouring industry. The project is subdivided into four sections of study: the evaluation of present practices in scouring, an analysis of by-product recovery operations, an analysis of wool scouring by- products markets, and a new uses study. Professor Stuart Mandell is the project principal and the United States Department of Agriculture is the sponsor. Professor Man- dell has a full time assistant, an analyst, Mr. Robert Raymond. Professor J. B. Masaschi is chemical consultant on the project. Professor George G. Armstrong is the pro- ject principal of a study which will attempt Mr. Basil G. Skalkeas, Director of Research to determine the optimum backing fabric for abrasives. The basic system is evaluating the fabrics by testing means for a correlation between running conditions. In this project the Institute is offering the sponsor its unique facilities, including the entire Foundation staff and the Institute faculty, as well as full scale and pilot plant equipment.

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sor Ernest James. The Textile Workshop seeks to provide a better understanding of the complexities of textile operations. No more than twenty-six men are accepted, with a maximum of four representatives from one organization, for any summer session, the duration of which is six weeks. Men re- presenting chemical concerns, Government buying agencies, textile marketing and textile manufacturing plants, and research organiza- tions a re sent by their firms to assimilate the signed to provide an opportunity for observa- tion and operation of machinery and equip- ment, such demonstration to be augmented by informal lectures at the site of the equipment. This practical study, scheduled during morn- ing sessions, is expanded and integrated with theory at the evening seminars. The evening conferences are conducted by promi- nent textile scientists who present advanced theoretical concepts of textile research and technology. Viscosimeters in Constant Temperature Bath High Speed Friction Apparatus technical knowledge so vital to the interests of these organizations. The course of study that is followed includes detailed instruction in fiber manipulation, yarn and fabric manu- facture, dyeing and finishing, and marketing of the products of the industry thru the proper testing and control programs. It has been de- Dr. A. W. Palmer of the Office of Foreign Agricultural Relations of the United States Department of Agriculture, Dr. L. A. Schleu- ter, Chief of the Aromatic Chemical Section of the National Production Authority, Mr. Reed Dunn of the National Cotton Council, Dr. Walter Hamburger of the Fabric Re-