Lowell Technological Institute - Pickout Yearbook (Lowell, MA)

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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-

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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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search Laboratories, Mr. W. H. Boeker of the Owens-Corning Fiberglas Company and many other scientists give to the participants the latest developments in all phases of the textile industry that will prove valuable to the men when they return to their respective positions in industry. In the future the Foundation expects to expand its activities to include fields other than textiles, such as paper, leather, and plas- tics. This trend is in keeping with the aim of the Institute to expand the scope of its tech- nical curricula. The Foundation is proceeding to establish a program of academic fellowships whereby the members of the Institute ' s faculty will be granted leaves of absence for a period of a year. This work will be of a fundamental, theoretical nature, not for a specific sponsor. In accordance with the established policy, the Foundation has undertaken to encourage graduate fellowship programs at the Institute. The Research Fellowships established during this first year of the Foundation have served as a mechanism to integrate the teaching and research functions of the faculty as well as to provide a service to the industry for the ac- complishment of basic research and the train- ing of qualified research personnel. Continued efforts in this direction will be made in ac- cordance with a plan to satisfy the demand of an educational institution operating at the graduate level for a full complement of grad- uate students in all departments. The Celanese Corporation of America has set the pace for this program by the establish- ment of two academic fellowships in the Foundation which are now being actively pursued by carefully selected students. An industrial fellowship plan has been in- augurated to encourage post-graduate research within the Foundation. Fellows are sponsored by industry to pursue programs of research at the Institute that are specifically dictated by the wishes of the sponsor but are performed in the Foundation laboratories under the supervision of a senior staff member. These fellowship programs are built on a long range design, and the work is of a continuing na- ture which can be performed by several fel- lows either independently or as a research team. All these aims are in harmony with the policy of the Foundation to keep pace with the needs of industry and with the growth of the Institute. 10