Hechmi Hamouda

Research

My scholarly interests ranged initially from the formation of fibrous and composite structures to their assessment and testing that has been supported by funds from federal agencies and industry for several years. My research activities later expanded to industrial waste reduction, prevention and elimination that led to international collaborations and were funded by Milliken & Company, NSF, EPA and USAID. At the same time and in collaboration with the Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC), my research work resulted in the development of a novel thermal sensing device (Pyrocal) and its associated heat transfer evaluation software that transformed an archaic DuPont’s burn assessment manikin (ThermoMan®) into a state of the art fully instrumented, life-sized manikin capable of evaluating the performance of thermal protective clothing (PyroMan). This research has continued with various funding from NIST, DuPont, NTC and NSF. The Pyrocal sensor and its related computational models for heat flux and burn assessments are extending into new applications in other fields such as the assessment of fast transient thermal energy release systems and associated airbags thermal injuries.

Other research tracks are related to reducing the environmental impact of the industry footprint: Eenergy and raw material reduction in textile processing; Use of sustainable material and products.

Ideally, I would like to combine my research efforts in bio-fibers, protective materials, environment and geotextiles nonwovens into a broader research program that would help resolve few of the global scientific and technological challenges facing us.

Teaching

NW 507/407 – NonWovens Characterization Methods
BME 467 – Mechanics of Tissues and Requirements for Implants
TMS 212 – Yarn, Fabric Formation and Properties
TE 403 – Mechanics of Fibrous Structures