TAGS 2019 Research Image Contest Winners Revealed
Written by Nicholas Wommack, Marketing, Poole College of Management
Nine winners. Nine images. Nine displays. This is the beginning of what may be a new annual competition for the Wilson College of Textiles. To demonstrate the research of our students, the Textile Association of Graduate Students (TAGS) developed a contest that will share submitted images with hundreds of individuals.
From images not visible to the human eye to breathtaking sights, there is much to offer in the presentation of the Textiles Research Image Contest. To get a better understanding of the innovation behind this, we’ve reached out to TAGS president, Mostakima Lubna, who also happens to be one of the winners of the image contest.
Who came up with the idea?
TAGS. Inspired by the NC State Research Image Contest Envisioning Research, TAGS plans to promote the beauty and significance of multidisciplinary research of Wilson College through images; this is the first Textiles Research Image Contest.
Who was involved in the planning?
This Textiles Research Image Contest is a part of the Textiles Research Open House. With the prior permission of the Research Open House committee and Associate Dean for Research Dr. Xiangwu Zhang, TAGS announced the contest. This was open to all undergraduate, graduate and postdocs of the Wilson College. TAGS also showcased the winning images at the reception for Techtextil North America 2019. All nine winners (three per category) received free admission to the conference. Cash prizes for the winners were given during the Textiles Research Open House 2019 on April 5.
…to promote the beauty and significance of multidisciplinary research of Wilson College through images…
How did the competition work?
Images were submitted in three categories:
- Photography (including photos of field work, designed dress, fabric and yarn, etc.)
- Microscopy (Optical, SEM* and TEM**)
- Graphics and Illustration (colored simulation image and colored SEM/TEM)
Total submission = 36. Students were allowed to submit three images maximum (one per category).
*Scanning Electron Microscopy
**Transmission Electron Microscopy
How were the images judged?
Images were judged anonymously (the name of the student or supervisor was not revealed to the judges) by six Wilson College professors who had no student participating in the image contest to avoid conflict of interest. Three winners in each category were chosen based on the average highest marks given by the judges.
Winners
Expand categories to see the winners.
Microscopy
1st – Hannah Eberenz – What Remains ; Advisor – Dr. Sonja Salmon
Microscopic image of cotton at 100x with red plate; cotton naturally contains highly crystalline cellulose as shown by the vivid birefringence of fiber fragments produced during enzymatic digestion. Enzymatic treatment of cotton for bio-cycling research – an alternative approach using less hazardous conditions
2nd – Ryan Dwyer – A Song of Fiber and Ice ; Advisor – Dr. Ericka Ford
The natural state of bagasse fiber or sugar cane stalk, twisted and compact situation. Research on developing a sustainable “regenerated cellulose” fiber material from sugar cane fiber
3rd – Zahra Ashrafi – Extraordinary Bacterial Bioengineering ; Advisors –
Dr. Lucian Lucia and Dr. Wendy Krause
The Scanning Electron Microscopic image of the cross-section of a composite membrane. Nanofibers visible in this image are produced by bacteria in a bulk nonwoven mat for advanced biomedical application.
Photography
1st – Mostakima Lubna – Thermal Solar Eclipse ; Advisor – Dr. Philip Bradford
This photo was taken in complete darkness to show the superb heat resistance and thermal stability of carbon nanotube (CNT) / silicon carbide (SiC) nano hybrid structure (glowing) at 1980 °C, exposure to a propane torch burning. Research on producing ultrahigh temperature stable materials for aerospace applications
2nd – Karim Aly – Nanotubes Fire Hammer ; Advisor – Dr. Philip Bradford
Photo was taken while a circumferentially wrapped carbon nanotube (CNT) / silicon carbide (SiC) hybrid structure was suspended over a butane torch burning at temperature of 750 °C. Efficient thermal insulation behavior of ultralight, aligned CNT / SiC nanocomposite, outstanding thermal insulation application
3rd – Kelli L. Smith – Uplifting Strategy ; Advisor – Dr. Cassandra Kwon
This photo was taken during helicopter rescue hoist training exercises in Salisbury, NC (June 2018). Helicopter rescue hoist operators have a specialized need for protective hand wear; with one hand they manipulate a pendant for the hoist controls and manage the hoist cable with the other. Advanced protective hand wear gloves research for rescue hoist operators
Graphics
1st – Mostakima Lubna – Nano-Corn ; Advisor – Dr. Philip Bradford
Colored Scanning Electron Microscopic image of nano-platinum (Pt) particles coating (colored-yellow) on the surface of carbon nanotube (CNT) (colored-pink). Research focus on nano-catalytic reaction applications including fuel cells.
2nd – Yu Song – 3D Micro X-ray Computed Tomography ; Advisor – Dr. Eunkyoung Shim
The micro X-ray computed tomography (MicroXCT) is currently the only technique to visualize and analyze the 3D structure of nonwoven filter media loaded with solid silicon dust particles. Fiber components are red and particle components are green; dynamic filter structure-filtration property relationship analysis
3rd – Md Milon Hossain – CNT Jellyfish ; Advisor – Dr. Philip Bradford
Modified polarized image of Carbon Nanotube (CNT) wrapped Dynema yarn. An advanced approach to make super strong and conductive yarn for E- textile applications
How were the images showcased?
With the help of Techtextil organizer Melissa Sharp, TAGS showcased the nine winning images as individually printed posters in the Techtextil Reception where industry people from all around the United States came. TAGS will also display the winning images on the electronic billboards in Wilson College.
