Steve Michielsen

Dr. Michielsen received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Chicago in 1979 working with Prof. Stuart A. Rice. He did a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Chemistry Department at Stanford University under the direction of Prof. Robert Pecora. He then joined DuPont at the Experimental Station in the Polymer Products Department in 1980. In 1990, he moved to DuPont Fibers. Then in 1995, he joined the faculty of the School of Textile and Fiber Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. In 2004, he moved to North Carolina State University in the Department of Textile and Apparel Technology and Management and then in 2008, he moved to the Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science in the Wilson College of Textiles, where he resides today.

Prof. Michielsen invented an antiviral fabric with collaborators at Emory University (Atlanta, GA) and formed a spinoff company, LaamScience, where he served on the Board of Directors and Chairman.

His current research involves bloodstain pattern analysis BPA on textiles (forensics) and surface modification of fibers for a wide range of applications including medical textiles, superhydrophobic materials, antimicrobial textiles, and enzyme immobilized textiles. Dr. Michielsen emphasizes the theoretical understanding of physical and chemical phenomena on textiles combined with experimental verification and extension of these theories. His work on BPA is aimed at understanding how wetting of textiles with blood alters the stain patterns. This requires a detailed knowledge of the properties and construction of the textiles, wetting and wicking, and the behavior of blood in contact with surfaces.

Research

Academic Degrees

• Ph. D. Physical Chemistry, University of Chicago, 1979
• B.S. Chemistry, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1972

Publications

Profile of capillary bridges between two vertically stacked cylindrical fibers under gravitational effect

Sun, X. H., Lee, H. J., Michielsen, S., & Wilusz, E. (2018), Applied Surface Science, 441, 791-797.

Profile of capillary bridges between two vertically stacked cylindrical fibers under gravitational effect

Sun, X. H., Lee, H. J., Michielsen, S., & Wilusz, E. (2018), Applied Surface Science, 441, 791-797.

Impact of carpet construction on fluid penetration: The case of blood

Feng, C. C., Michielsen, S., & Attinger, D. (2018), Forensic Science International, 284, 184-193.

Design of abrasion resistant super-antiwetting nylon surfaces

Li, G. Q., Lee, H. J., & Michielsen, S. (2017), New Journal of Chemistry, 41(22), 13593-13599.

Effect of yarn structure on wicking and its impact on bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) on woven cotton fabrics

Li, X. Y., Li, J. Y., & Michielsen, S. (2017), Forensic Science International, 276, 41-50.

Geometric impact of void space in woven fabrics on oil resistance or repellency

Lim, J., Powell, N., Lee, H., & Michielsen, S. (2017), Journal of Materials Science, 52(13), 8149-8158.

Nitrogen: phosphorous supply ratio and allometry in five alpine plant species

Luo, X., Mazer, S. J., Guo, H., Zhang, N., Weiner, J., & Hu, S. J. (2016), Ecology and Evolution, 6(24), 8881-8892.

Integration of yarn compression in modeling structural geometry of liquid resistant-repellent fabric surfaces and its impact on liquid behavior

Lim, J., Powell, N., Lee, H., & Michielsen, S. (2016), Journal of Materials Science, 51(15), 7199-7210.

Alternative method for determining the original drop volume of bloodstains on knit fabrics

Li, J. Y., Li, X. Y., & Michielsen, S. (2016), Forensic Science International, 263, 194-203.

Impact dynamics of porcine drip bloodstains on fabrics

Williams, E. M. P., Dodds, M., Taylor, M. C., Li, J. Y., & Michielsen, S. (2016), Forensic Science International, 262, 66-72.

View All Publications

Grants

Physical Characteristics of Spatter Stains on Textiles: Influence of Impact Surface Texture, Blood Drop Volume and Blood Drop Velocity

National Institute of Justice(1/01/19 - 12/31/20)

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Physical Characteristics of Spatter Stains on Textiles: Influence of Impact Surface Texture, Blood Drop Volume and Blood Drop Velocity

Sponsor: National Institute of Justice

Start Date: 1/01/19

End Date: 12/31/20

Abstract

Bloodstains are frequently observed at violent crime scenes. These may include stains created from dripping blood, impact of blood with an object, gunshots, and so forth. The analysis of such stains provide valuable information for determining potential methods of creating these stains, which can assist investigators in determining what happened and whether witness statements are consistent with the findings. For many bloodstains, the methods for analyzing them are well documented. However, when the stains occur on textiles, the stains are often altered by the textile itself. When these stains are due to impact spatter, it have proven very difficult to interpret these patterns when found on textiles. This proposal attempts to address this by using fuel injectors with high-speed video to create and track the evolution for single drops impacting onto textile substrates. Subsequent analysis via image processing will characterize the stain evolution on and in the textile substrate.

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Development of Moisture Channeling Textiles

US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)(6/26/17 - 12/23/17)

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Development of Moisture Channeling Textiles

Sponsor: US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)

Start Date: 6/26/17

End Date: 12/23/17

Abstract

A new moisture channeling textile technology will be created to enhance cooling of wearer.

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Bloodstain Pattern Analysis on Textiles: A Technology Transition Workshop

National Institute of Justice(6/15/17 - 9/30/18)

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Bloodstain Pattern Analysis on Textiles: A Technology Transition Workshop

Sponsor: National Institute of Justice

Start Date: 6/15/17

End Date: 9/30/18

Abstract

Every year millions of items of bloodstained clothing and other textiles are being examined in forensic laboratories around the world, yet there is, to date, no standard or well-documented method for analyzing small bloodstains on these textiles. This is due in part to the great variety and complexity of textiles, which can deform easily, but may also contain critical information about a bloodshed event. Additionally without knowledge regarding the textile variables and characteristics coupled with a lack of understanding regarding the textile manufacturing and finishing processes, there is a gap in knowledge for practicing BP analysts when it comes to examining a bloodied textile item, whether in the laboratory or at a crime scene. In this three-day workshop, participants will learn and explore key properties of textiles that dictate how they interact with blood, how their manufacture alters these properties, how small bloodstains develop on textile substrates and how blood transfers from one surface to another. The participants will gain appreciation for the need to carefully observe and note how a textile is found, what it is in contact with, if anything, and the importance of examining surfaces behind the textile for additional information. The workshops are very hands on and are designed for participants to explore and test blood-textile interactions. Participants will work in teams of two and all participants are expected to participate in the activities and tours of the textile processing equipment. Participants are expected to bring a camera that they are familiar with (cellphone cameras are adequate). All other material for the workshop will be provided. Participants will be handling porcine blood and should be dressed appropriately. Personal protective equipment will be provided.

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Arsenic Treatment of Contaminated Water Using Surface-Functionalized Fabrics

NCSU Center for Human Health and the Environment(7/01/16 - 6/30/17)

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Arsenic Treatment of Contaminated Water Using Surface-Functionalized Fabrics

Sponsor: NCSU Center for Human Health and the Environment

Start Date: 7/01/16

End Date: 6/30/17

Abstract

Arsenic is a widespread environmental contaminant that poses risks to human health throughout the world. Engineered systems for the removal of arsenic from fast-flowing waters are currently unable to accommodate the dual needs of arsenic removal and water conveyance. This lack of technical capacity can lead to substantial release and exposure of hazardous quantities of arsenic, causing arsenic environmental health risks from settings as varied as Superfund sites in the US and rice production fields in Asia. The overall goal of our proposed work is to develop and test novel fabric-based technologies, which may be utilized within contaminated flowing-water streams, for removing arsenic from water. We hypothesize that surface-functionalized, arsenic -binding fabrics, in concert with ecological engineering measures, can provide a practical means for maximizing arsenic removal from contaminated water. Here, we will integrate textile-science, aqueous- and soil-chemistry, and ecological-engineering research to optimize selective arsenic-removal properties of surface-functionalized fabrics and quantify the removal rates and ultimate fate of arsenic within water-fabric systems. The proposed work will catalyze a new, interdisciplinary partnership among scientists with a unique set of expertise from CALS, COT, COS, and COE at NCSU. This research will also support ongoing efforts to develop larger proposals for NIEHS and NSF, and results will lead to potentially patentable technologies with wide-ranging implications for treating chemically contaminated water.

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Finding the Region of Origin of Bloodspatters in Complex Situations: Novel Physics-Based Methods and Tools

National Institute of Justice(1/01/15 - 12/31/17)

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Finding the Region of Origin of Bloodspatters in Complex Situations: Novel Physics-Based Methods and Tools

Sponsor: National Institute of Justice

Start Date: 1/01/15

End Date: 12/31/17

Abstract

Professor Michielsen will lead the NCSU effort in selecting and characterizing the carpet samples and the development of quantitative analytical tools for determining the volume of blood droplets detected on the carpets.

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Transfer of Bloodstains from Textile Surfaces: A Fundamental Analysis

National Institute of Justice(1/01/15 - 12/31/17)

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Transfer of Bloodstains from Textile Surfaces: A Fundamental Analysis

Sponsor: National Institute of Justice

Start Date: 1/01/15

End Date: 12/31/17

Abstract

Bloodstains may transfer from one surface to another, for example from a bloodied textile to another textile, such as when a family member returns home and finds their loved ones bloodied. In attempting to render assistance, they may transfer blood to their clothing from the victim’s clothing. On the other hand, the family member may also be a suspect. Currently, there are no definitive studies of transfer stains from one textile to another. One difficulty in performing rigorous studies of transfer stains to or from textiles is the inconsistency of blood from one person to another. This requires studies with blood from several people or animals, with the added health risks and disposal. Currently, no synthetic blood exists that is adequate for forensics. To address these issues, there are two major goals of the proposed research: (1) to provide a fundamental understanding of blood transfer from one textile material to another (Swgstain research need #2) and (2) to develop a synthetic blood that closely mimics the properties and behavior of human blood (Swgstain research needs #8). The dependency of transfer stains on the drop volume, the fabric that blood first contacted, the fabric that the blood was transferred to, the time between first impact and transfer, and the contact pressure between the two fabrics during transfer will be determined for transfers between plain woven and knit fabrics. The quantity of transferred blood and the transferred pattern will be determined and related to the properties of blood (e.g. red blood cells, viscosity, surface tension) and textile engineering construction factors of the fabric. This research will require hundreds of samples, which renders the use of human or animal blood impractical. Therefore, a new synthetic blood will be developed that has the correct surface tension and hematocrit, while closely mimicking the non-Newtonian viscosity of real blood. It will contain polymeric particles that have correct size, shape, surface charge, and color as red blood cells. Bloodstains using this synthetic blood will be compared to stains formed in the same way using pig’s blood. The key deliverables of this study will be a new, forensically meaningful synthetic blood and fundamental understanding of the science behind blood transfer between the most common woven and knit apparel fabrics along with quantitative models to predict the transfer behavior of blood between these fabrics.

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Antistain Carpet

DESSO(4/01/12 - 3/31/13)

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Antistain Carpet

Sponsor: DESSO

Start Date: 4/01/12

End Date: 3/31/13

Abstract

DESSO has interest in practicing and extending work published by Dr. Michielsen of NCSU to eliminate the need for fluorochemicals on carpet yarns. To this end, DESSO requires enough treated yarn to make four floor tiles for antistain testing. As the compositions of the treatments are not yet known, it is anticipated that subsequent research will be needed to refine the final carpet yarn antistain treatment. In Phase I of this research, DESSO will provide five packages, each of 520 m length, of carpet yarn. NCSU, under Dr. Michielsen?s guidance, will use one yarn to develop the treatment processes. The remaining yarns will be treated according to Table 1. NCSU will identify appropriate process conditions to yield these treatments and return the treated yarns along with the process conditions to DESSO for evaluation.

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Bloodstain Patterns on Textile Surfaces: A Fundamental Analysis

National Institute of Justice(10/01/12 - 10/31/14)

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Bloodstain Patterns on Textile Surfaces: A Fundamental Analysis

Sponsor: National Institute of Justice

Start Date: 10/01/12

End Date: 10/31/14

Abstract

Despite the fact that Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) is now a well-established forensic discipline, there remains much to do to establish the under-pinning science of the discipline, especially for textiles. So far most of the research effort has been on patterns formed on hard, non-porous surfaces. Surprisingly, no comprehensive and fundamental research on the more complex problem of bloodstain patterns on textile materials has been undertaken to date. When blood is deposited on fabrics it tends to migrate along the fibers of the fabric (wicks). Bloodstains on these surfaces have not lent themselves to the same degree of analysis due to the strong interaction between the blood deposition process, the fabric structure, and the surface properties. Further complicating BPA on textiles is the wide range of textile materials and their surface treatments. These include fabric construction, yarn construction, and fiber types. A fundamental analysis of the deposition of blood onto fabric structures and the subsequent movement of blood into or across the fabric is critically needed to enable models to be developed that could ultimately define the scope and limitations of BPA on textiles. The overall goal of this study is: To provide a fundamental understanding of the complex interactions between blood and textile materials. The basis for this project is the hypothesis that an understanding of the fundamental mechanics of the bloodstain pattern formation process is essential to the reliable classification of the resulting bloodstain pattern. This is particularly true for the more complex problem of classifying bloodstain patterns on fabric surfaces. The overall experimental strategy therefore will be to study the mechanics of the formation of a series of bloodstain patterns on a range of the most common fabric surfaces used in the clothing and home furnishing industries under a range of controlled and relevant conditions. Three workpackages along with detailed fabric characterization are proposed. These are organized to address the three main bloodstain pattern types: drip, spatter and transfer. Each of these workpackages will be executed in two phases. In the first phase, only woven fabrics (e.g., plain woven cotton used in bed sheets) and cotton twill (e.g., denim) will be studied. In the second phase knit fabrics (e.g., those used in cotton jersey knit T-shirts) will be studied. These tend to be much more open, but also much less dimensionally stable than plain weave textiles. The more open structure of most knits should enhance wicking of blood into the fabric, but their dynamic behavior may greatly alter the shape and dimensions of a blood drop. Blood will be dripped, spattered, and transferred onto the fabric and the motion of the blood will be recorded using high speed imaging to capture the initial deposition phase and time-lapse photography to characterize the subsequent spreading and drying phase. The final pattern will be analyzed based on the fabric structure and the expected wicking behavior, with the aid of both conventional and laser scanning confocal microscopy. In addition, since the fabric behaves as a filter, the motion of the cells will also be analyzed to determine direction of flow and whether other liquids interfere or alter the BPA. Finally, fluid mechanics and the capillary structures inherent in the fabric structure will be analyzed to develop fundamental models of BPA. The key deliverable of this study will be new data that characterizes bloodstains on fabric, including a new understanding of the fundamental science behind the mechanics of blood drip, spatter and transfer on the most common woven and knit apparel fabrics, and quantitative models to predict the wicking behavior of blood into these fabrics.

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Durable Antistatic Polyester

Kingwhale(5/01/11 - 4/30/12)

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Durable Antistatic Polyester

Sponsor: Kingwhale

Start Date: 5/01/11

End Date: 4/30/12

Abstract

In phase I, the procedure developed in NCSU File #06-056 (US Provisional Patent 6146621) will be applied to a 20 cm x 20 cm polyester fleece provided by Kingwhale, Inc. The fabric will be treated according to the procedures described in the provisional patent. NCSU will make its best effort to deliver samples with surface resistivity less than 1 ?e 1011 at 65% RH and 21¢XC after treating and after the treated fabric has been subjected to 10 washing cycles (40¢XC, normal cycle, tumble dry delicate.) Untreated, treated but unwashed, and treated plus 10 cycle washed samples will be returned to Kingwhale for evaluation of hand and abrasion resistance.

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Development of Robust CWA Repellent Fabric via Enhanced Superoleophobic Technology

Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)(5/14/12 - 7/13/14)

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Development of Robust CWA Repellent Fabric via Enhanced Superoleophobic Technology

Sponsor: Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)

Start Date: 5/14/12

End Date: 7/13/14

Abstract

The presence of Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents (CBWA) can dramatically threaten the defensibility of our forces and disrupt real-time communication in the battle field. In the presence of CBWA, the earliest avoidance or removal of contamination will not only provide war fighter life-sustaining protection but also continue real-time operational capability. Current individual and collective protective gear is primarily made of textiles that require enhanced protection against CBWA at lower weight. In terms of reducing logistics load for decontamination, there would be considerable benefits if the proposed technology provides enhanced protection at lower weight by (1) minimizing contact area and contact time between fabric and CBWA having a wide range of size and surface tension, (2) repelling CBWA and in addition to other chemical or biological threat materials such as toxic industrial chemicals, (3) keeping high air-permeability, (4) making CBWA get removed easily even after being compressed into the fabric structure, and (5) maintaining the quality after exposing the fabric to harsh conditions, e.g. dry and wet abrasion, hot and cold temperature, high and low relative humidity, etc.

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Organizations

• The Fiber Society - Treasurer
• American Chemical Society - Treasurer
• American Physical Society - Treasurer

Teaching

• TT 105 - Introduction to Textiles ,
• TT 341 - Knitted Fabric Technology ,
• TMS 762 - Physical Properties of Fiber Forming Polymers, Fibers and Fibrous Structures ,

Additional Information

Students

Graduate Projects