Research and Innovation

Sophia Thompson looks down at her forearm, which is being equipped with an armband with embedded technology. Her dark hair is in a slicked-back ponytail and she wears a navy and white striped sweater. To the right is another student fastening the armband, and a lab is laid out behind them with two other student in frame working on countertops.

May 20, 2026

Undergraduate Conducts Research in Emerging Wearable Electronics Lab

Sophia Thompson first heard of the SHIFT lab during a guest lecture from its principal investigator, Amanda Mills. At the time, Thompson was a fresh face in fashion and textile management, having just transferred into the program from human biology. The Smart Holistically Integrated and Functional Textiles (SHIFT) Research Group is a laboratory of graduate…

Professionals gathered around circular tables in a large conference room with grey walls. There are a few dozen adults sitting in black chairs facing a presenter towards the left of the frame.

Apr 23, 2026

AI in Textiles: Implementing and Regulating New Technologies

Wilson College researchers and experts participated in a conference exploring the implications and use of AI in the fashion industry.

Dynamic PyroMan on fire in the Textile Protection and Comfort Center.

Apr 22, 2026

Dynamic PyroMan™ Earns Patent, Advancing Testing for Protective Apparel

A breakthrough patent brings real-world motion to thermal testing, aiming to redefine how protective apparel is evaluated under fire.

Close-up of hands of young Black man sewing small pocket or patch on jeans while upcycling old clothes by workplace in fashion design studio

Feb 26, 2026

From Waste to Wardrobe: How Fashion Brands Are Embracing Upcycling

Read about upcycling, its creative application and how it’s being used on a wider scale to promote sustainability, based on research by recent Wilson College graduate Hyesim Seo.

Supercapacitor yarns integrated in a fabric for powering LEDs'

Feb 17, 2026

Fiber Batteries Promise ‘Smart Clothing’ but Two Obstacles Stand in the Way

Learn more about the challenges uncovered by NC State researchers.

A person wearing a lab coat, gloves and safety goggles uses a pipette in a laboratory, working with samples and test tubes under a fume hood with various containers and scientific equipment.

Dec 18, 2025

70 Years After the First Artificial Aorta, NC State’s Medical Textile Innovation Is Only Getting Started

The historic breakthrough in 1955 sparked decades of biomedical innovation at the Wilson College of Textiles. Today, the college is a global leader in solving the most pressing healthcare challenges.

Talley tower is reflected in the windows of Talley Student Union

Dec 10, 2025

NC State Announces 2025-26 Goodnight Early Career Innovators

See which Wilson College of Textiles faculty member earned this prestigious recognition.

Rachael Rice wears a white turtleneck sweater and brown jacket and stands next to a display of patterned textiles hanging on a metal rack. She is smiling and facing the camera.

Dec 10, 2025

Grad Student Profile: Rachael Rice

First-year master’s student Rachael Rice talks about her first semester experience at NC State in the M.S. textile chemistry program.

Two deer stand in a snowy forest and look at the camera.

Dec 8, 2025

Researchers Are Out to Take a Bite Out of a Big Challenge for Christmas Tree Growers: Deer

See how they aim to keep deer from eating growers’ profits.

Dec 2, 2025

Behnam Pourdeyhimi to Step Down as NWI Director

After more than 25 years at the helm, Pourdeyhimi will step down as executive director, effective Dec. 31. Raoul Farer, who is currently executive deputy director of NWI, will take over for Pourdeyhimi.