{"id":18475,"date":"2022-02-23T09:31:14","date_gmt":"2022-02-23T14:31:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/people\/mwking2\/"},"modified":"2024-11-01T16:43:31","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T20:43:31","slug":"mwking2","status":"publish","type":"person","link":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/people\/mwking2\/","title":{"rendered":"Martin King"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Martin King is regarded as an international specialist in the area of biotextiles, implantable devices, biomaterials and medical textiles. He joined the Department of Textiles and Apparel, Technology and Management in September 2000 following over 30 years experience working in industry, education and the government sector in Canada and Europe.<\/p>\n

As one of the first graduates in Polymer Technology from Manchester University, U.K., Martin King was hired by Canadian Industries Limited (I.C.I. Fibres Division), and later by Celanese Canada Limited, Montreal, Canada, to work as a product development engineer on nylon and polyester fibers and yarns at its\u00a0Millhaven<\/a>\u00a0plant in Kingston, Ontario, Canada . During this time he worked on the start-up of the first continuous polymerisation plant for the spinning of short staple polyester fiber for blending with cotton, on improvements in texturising nylon and polyester multifilament yarns, as well as developing polyester fibre\/rubber adhesive systems that led to the manufacture of the first commercial polyester tire cord.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Martin King then returned to the U.K. to work with L.N. Phillips and W. Watt on the development of carbon fibers at the Royal Aircraft Establishment (now the\u00a0Defence Science and Technology Laboratory<\/a>), Farnborough, Hants. He was instrumental in identifying alternative precursor polymer systems and wet spinning and carbonising biconstituent acrylic\/novoloid fibers for use in carbon fiber reinforced composites.<\/p>\n

Over the last 25 years Martin King has developed an interest in the field of biomaterials and biotextiles (a term he has coined to describe the application of fibrous structures designed specifically for biological environments). During his 28 year tenure as a faculty member in the Department of Clothing & Textiles at the\u00a0University of Manitoba<\/a>, Winnipeg, Canada, he has worked with his graduate students on many research projects related to the study of implantable devices and has published widely in the textile science, biomaterials and medical literature. Support for these projects has come from national funding agencies, medical foundations and industrial sponsors.<\/p>\n

During his time at the University of Manitoba, Martin King taught undergraduate courses in textile science and design, apparel engineering, applied economics and the appreciation of research. At NCSU he is currently teaching\u00a0TT 331, Performance Evaluation of Textile Materials. At the graduate level, he has taught courses in polymer, fiber and textile science, biomaterials and research methods. He has advised and examined graduate and undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines, such as chemistry, civil, mechanical, biomedical and biosystems engineering, architecture, food science, anthropology, surgery, history and computer science, with their textiles, apparel or biomaterials related research projects. In 1989 he was awarded the University of Manitoba Merit Award for Teaching, Research & Service.<\/p>\n

Martin King is a member of a number of professional organizations, including the following:<\/p>\n

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  1. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. American Society for Testing & Materials<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. International Biodeterioration Society (U.K.)<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Canadian Biomaterials Society<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Canadian Society of Forensic Science<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Fiber Society<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Institute of Textile Science (Canada)<\/li>\n
  8. Society for Biomaterials<\/a><\/li>\n
  9. Textile Institute (U.K.)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    He has served these organizations in various capacities including President of the Institute of Textile Science and the Canadian Biomaterials Society.<\/p>\n

    Over the years he has been recognised as an expert witness by different courts to present forensic evidence on topics related to the identification, damage and failure of textiles, apparel and surgical implants in cases of misleading advertising, product failure, patent litigation, medical liability, fire injury, rape and murder.<\/p>\n

    He also currently holds adjunct appointments in clothing & textiles in the Faculty of Human Ecology at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada and in biomaterials science at\u00a0Laval University<\/a>, Quebec City, Canada.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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    Research<\/h3>\n

    Martin King\u2019s primary research thrust is currently in the area of biotextiles, biomaterials science and implantable devices. This is an emerging specialised field that has its roots in materials science, but which now relies heavily on the interaction between many different disciplines. Martin King\u2019s particular approach has grown out of his interest in the degradation processes of fibers, polymers and textiles, and issues related to structure\/property relationships. His work involves a number of arenas of activity.<\/p>\n