Andre West

Bio

Dr. Andre West is aProfessor and Director of The Zeis Textiles Extension (ZTE) at the Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University. He has been in the apparel business for over 40 years, in fashion trend forecasting, fashion design, textile design, manufacturing, retailing, and finally, in academic research and teaching. 

The researcher focuses primarily on integrating technology into the textile and apparel industry. This encompasses several key aspects, including consumer-oriented customization, 3-D virtual garment creation, AI-driven generative design, 3-D body scanning, and whole-garment knitwear. Furthermore, the researcher has adopted a holistic approach to his work, as evidenced by his establishment of The Greater Good Textile Group, a student-led initiative at NC State University dedicated to sustainability in the textile industry and advocating for the ethical and humane treatment of industry workers.

The researcher has also received international recognition for collaborating with researchers from the CALS and the Entomology Department, involving the design and production of mosquito-resistant clothing without harmful chemicals. His efforts in this area have garnered grant awards from the Department of Defense and others.

The researcher’s latest area of research focuses on developing sustainable fabrications and a circular textile economy. Specifically, he is exploring the use of hemp as an alternative fiber for military and commercial clothing to mitigate the negative impact of textiles on global warming and the fast fashion industry.

Research

• Fabrics and Garments  for Insect Vector Protection
• Sustainability
• Alternative Fibers
• Advance Knitting Construction
• Computerized Whole Garment Knitwear
• 3-D Body Scanning
• Aromatherapy/Essential oil-infused garments for health and well-being

Organizations

• Greater Good Textile Group Faculty Liason
• Southern Textiles Association
• International Textile and Apparel Association

Recent Publications

1. 1. Youn, S., Mills, A. C., West, A., DenHartog, E., & Mathur, K. (2024). Enhancing biosignal quality in electrocardiogram monitoring garments: Validation of a simulation-based contact pressure model. ACS Applied Engineering Materials. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaenm.4c00178

    

   2. Ling, Y., Liu, Y., Yin, R., & West, A. (2024). An eco-friendly droplet-wet spinning technology for producing high-quality hemp/cotton blend yarn. Journal of Cleaner Production, 475, 143689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.143689

    

   3. Xia, S., Li, J., Istook, C. L., West, A., & Bruner, D. (2024). A regression waist level defined for 3D body scans. The Journal of The Textile Institute, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2024.2366705

    

   4. S., West, A., & Mathur, K. Evaluation of a new artificial intelligence-based textile

   digitization using fabric drape. Textile Research Journal. 2024;0(0).

   https://doi:10.1177/00405175241236881

    

   5. Luan K, McCord MG, West AJ, Cave G, Travanty NV, Apperson CS, Roe RM. Mosquito Blood Feeding Prevention Using an Extra-Low DC Voltage Charged Cloth. Insects. 2023; 14(5):405. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14050405

    

   6. Kirk, H., Henson, C., Seevers, R., Liu, Y., West, A., Suchoff, D., & Yin, R. (2023). A critical review of characterization and measurement of textile-grade hemp fiber. Cellulose, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-023-05420-4

    

   7. Luan, K., Newman, Z., West, A., Lee, K. L., & Rokkam, S. (2023). Efficient Poisson’s Ratio Evaluation of Weft-Knitted Auxetic Metamaterials. Textiles, 3(3), 275-286. https://doi.org/10.3390/textiles3030018

    

   8. Ling, Y., Hart, J., Henson, C., West, A. J., Kumar, A., Karanjikar, M., & Yin, R. (2023). Investigation of hemp and nylon blended long-staple yarns and their woven fabrics. Fibers and Polymers,24, 1835-1843. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12221-023-00180-1

    

   9. Luan, K., McCord, M.G., West, A.J., Cave, G., Travanty, N.V., Apperson, C.S., Roe, R.M. (2023). Mosquito blood feeding prevention using an extra-low DC voltage charged cloth. Insects, 14, 405. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14050405

    

   10. Ling Y, Henson C, West A, Yin R. (2022). Systematic investigation and evaluation of modified ring yarns by feeding three-roving strands. Textile Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/00405175221139323

    

   11. Luan, , Kirkwood, E., Newman, Z., West, A., & DenHartog, E. (2022). New insight into flexural rigidity of multi-filaments yarn. Textile Research Journal,93 (1-2). https://doi.org/10.1177/00405175221114655

    

   12. Li, J., Xia, S., West, A. J., & Istook, C. L. (2022). A 2D image body measurement system developed with neural networks and a color-coded measurement garment. International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology.

   34(4) 589-604 https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCST-08-2021-0114

    

   13. Cave, G. L., West, A. J., McCord, M. G., Koene, B., Beck, J. B., Deguenon, J. M., Luan, K., & Roe, R. M. (2022). Novel 3-D spacer textiles to protect crops from insect infestation and that enhance plant growth. Agriculture,

   12, 498. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12040498

    

   14. Li, J., Xia, S., West, A. J., & Istook, C. L. (2022). Fashionable sportswear working as a body measurement collecting tool. International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCST-07-2021-0090

    

   15. Luan, K., West, A. J., McCord, M. G., DenHartog, E. A., Shi, Q., Bettermann, I., Li, J., Travanty, N. V.,

   Mitchell, R. D., Cave, G. L., Strider, J. B., Wang, Y., Neumann, F., Beck, T., Apperson, C. S., & Roe, R. M.

   (2021). Mosquito-textile physics: A mathematical roadmap to insecticide-free, bite-proof clothing for everyday life. Insects, 12(7), 636. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12070636

    

   16. Deshpande, M. V., West, A. J., Bernacki, S. H., Luan, K., & King, M. W. (2020). Poly (ε-caprolactone)

   resorbable auxetic designed knitted scaffolds for craniofacial skeletal muscle regeneration. Bioengineering, 7, 134. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering7040134

    

   17. Luan, K., West, A., DenHartog, E., & McCord, M. (2020). Auxetic deformation of the weft-knitted

   miura-ori fold. Textile Research Journal, 90(5-6), 617-630. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040517519877468

    

   18. Mouhamadou, C. S., Luan, K., Fodjo, B. K., West, A. J., McCord, M. G., Apperson, C. S., & Roe, R. M. (2020).

   Development of an insecticide-free trapping bednet to control mosquitoes and manage resistance in malaria vector control: A new way of thinking. Insects, 11, 732. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11110732

    

   19. Halbkat, L., Luan, K., Cave, G., McCord, M. G., Roe, M. R., DenHartog, E., Apperson, C. S., & West, A. J. (2019)

   Novel method for infusing fabric with a botanical repellent for protection against mosquitoes. Journal of the Textile Institute. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2019.1603576

    

   20. West, A. J., Istook, C. L., Porterfield, A. J., & Ghosh, T. K. (2017). A service-learning collaborative to build a

   sustainable enterprise for underprivileged women (SEuW). Journal of Textile Design Research and Practice,

       5(1), 3-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/20511787.2017.1362144

    

   21. Chen J., West, A. J., Cheng, K., & King, M. A. (2017). Biodegradable knitted cardiac patch for myocardium

   regeneration using cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs). Journal of Donghua University. (Eng. Ed.), 34(2).28-40

    

   22. West, A. J., & Annett-Hitchcock, K. E. (2016). The process of development of an herb-infused bag that

   regenerates aromatherapy textiles. The International Journal of Designed Objects, 5(2) ,17-30.

   DOI: 10.18848/2325-1379/CGP/v10i02/17-30

    

   Graduate Projects

• Ph.D. Co-Chair Jiayin Li  “The Evaluation of a 2D Measuring Garment for Accuracy in a Size Range and Customer Acceptance” Completed 2020
• Ph.D. Co-Chair Sibei Xia “Predict 3D body measurements with 2D images” Completed 2018
• M.S. Chair Zoe Newman  The impact of the introduction of hemp fiber into more sustainable knit footwear structures Completed 2020
• M.S. Co-Chair Jacqueline Sewell  Addressing the Feasibility of Moving an Existing Cut and Sew Combat Shirt to Seamless Knitting Completed 2019
• M.S. Chair Lilah Halbkat  “From Academic Research to Product Commercialization: Analyzing Academic Entrepreneurship in the Textile and Apparel Industry” Completed 2019
• MS Chair – Ashley Gabel,  “Methodology for the Implementation of 3D Technologies in the Improvement of Athletic Wear” Completed 2015
• MS Co-Chair Carly Mick, “The Effects of Digital Printers and Cutters on the Value Stream of United States, Textile Based, and Manufacturing” Completed 2015

Area(s) of Expertise

3D Apparel CAD
3D Body Scanning
Entrepreneurship
Fashion Design
Functional Textile Design
Knitting
Mass Customization
Medical Textiles
Performance Textiles
Product Development
Textile Design