Sonja Salmon

Bio

Research

Inspired by Nature, my research team is engaged in new developments in biotech textiles and sustainable polymers, with special focus on enzyme-fiber interactions that enable increased utilization of bio-based materials for textile applications. Our work on enzyme-fiber interactions encompasses enzymatic modification, degradation and processing of fibers, enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of fiber-forming polymers, and enzyme immobilization in fibers for the development and production of a new class of materials we call Biocatalytic Textiles. We are exploring the properties, mechanisms, prototyping and use of bio-based and biocatalytic textiles for applications in desirable, sustainable textiles, CO2 gas management, water treatment and waste remediation.

Teaching

• TC567 (TC589) – Biobased Textile Materials and Processes , Fall
• PCC471 – Chemistry of Biopolymers , Spring
• PCC104 – Polymer and Color Chemistry Laboratory (occasionally)
• PCC301 – Technology of Dyeing and Finishing (occasionally)
• PCC302 – Technology of Textile Wet Processing (occasionally)
• TC530 – Chemistry of Textile Auxiliaries (occasionally)
• PCC490 – Undergraduate Research in Polymer and Color Chemistry , Fall and Spring
• TC630 – Graduate Student Independent Study , Fall and Spring

Organizations

• American Chemical Society
• American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists

Collaboration

Accomplishing real impact beyond one’s own reach requires collaboration with others, collaboration across disciplines, across geographies, languages, time zones and time lines. It requires hard work, a lot of laughter, and believing in things that at first seem impossible. We value our industry partnerships and strive to build relationships that result in successful outcomes for the students, the partners and the university.

Area(s) of Expertise

Dyeing and Finishing
Polymer Science
Polymer/Fiber/Textile Processing
Product Development
Textile Chemistry
Carbon Dioxide Capture
Enzymology

Publications

• Materials and Methods for All-cellulose 3D Printing in Sustainable Additive Manufacturing , (2024)
• Biocatalytic Membranes for Carbon Capture and Utilization , MEMBRANES (2023)
• Carbonic Anhydrase Enhanced UV-Crosslinked PEG-DA/PEO Extruded Hydrogel Flexible Filaments and Durable Grids for CO2 Capture , GELS (2023)
• Carbonic anhydrase textile structured packing for efficient CO2 absorption in methyldiethanolamine solvent , AICHE JOURNAL (2023)
• Controllable Water-Triggered Degradation of PCL Solution-Blown Nanofibrous Webs Made Possible by Lipase Enzyme Entrapment , FIBERS (2023)
• Developing Enzyme Immobilization with Fibrous Membranes: Longevity and Characterization Considerations , MEMBRANES (2023)
• Enzymatic textile fiber separation for sustainable waste processing , RESOURCES ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY (2023)
• Preparation and characterization of cotton fiber fragments from model textile waste via mechanical milling and enzyme degradation , CELLULOSE (2023)
• Protease Immobilization in Solution-Blown Poly(ethylene oxide) Nanofibrous Nonwoven Webs , ACS Applied Engineering Materials (2023)
• Advances in 3D Gel Printing for Enzyme Immobilization , GELS (2022)

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