By Jessica Roulhac<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For <\/span>Professor of Textile Engineering Philip Bradford \u201905, \u201907, \u201910<\/span><\/a>, one program helped to seal the deal for applying to NC State: the <\/span>Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP)<\/span><\/a>. Today, he highlights STEP in his role as director of the textile engineering program in the Wilson College of Textiles. The program can be a game-changer for high school students.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n From the <\/span>Senior Design<\/span><\/a> labs to the <\/span>Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC)<\/span><\/a>, Bradford knows that once students are on campus, it will be hard to walk away. For Bradford, the program made it that much easier to decide that his next step would be applying to NC State.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen I talk to students at the recruiting events we have, I always encourage them to [also] attend STEP because it\u2019s going to give them the experience that\u2019s 10 times better than just coming to an open house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n STEP started something special in Bradford\u2019s NC State journey. He has earned each of his degrees from the university. Bradford has a bachelor\u2019s degree in <\/span>textile engineering<\/span><\/a>. He has a dual master\u2019s degree in textile engineering and materials science and engineering. He received his doctorate in materials science and engineering. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n A Wake Forest, North Carolina, native, Bradford realized that he wanted to become an engineer during his middle school and high school years. He also knew that NC State was the best school for this pursuit. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n After attending STEP, he kept in touch with the university. Nearly a year later, NC State accepted Bradford as a student, and he soon began the <\/span>Centennial Scholarship<\/span><\/a> application process. To his delight, the committee awarded him the scholarship. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI just thought \u2018wow,\u2019 the ability to come here and be a student \u2026\u201d he says. \u201cTo obtain a unique degree and get to work with those companies that I thought were unique anyway would be a really amazing opportunity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n During his time as an undergraduate student, Bradford recalls making great friends \u2014 and memories. He explored Oxford, England, for six weeks during a summer study abroad experience. He was also a part of the Tompkins Textile Student Council, the Textile Engineering Society, and Phi Psi Textile Fraternity. Bradford met his wife at a Phi Psi event hosted by NC State. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of his most career-guiding experiences was an internship with 3TEX, Inc. The company, which no longer exists, made fabrics for composite materials. For Bradford, the role sparked his interest in a field that he still loves today. His experience during the internship included working on a project that would help fund his master\u2019s program.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n During his time at 3TEX, Bradford received wisdom from his mentor about pursuing a doctorate. As he was finishing his dual degree program, Bradford took note that a world-leading professor in the area of composite materials was coming to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at NC State.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n So, he sent an email to Professor Yuntian Zhu, now a Distinguished Professor Emeritus. When Bradford asked if he could join Zhu as a doctoral student, Zhu agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI helped him set up his lab, which was a very valuable experience for me,\u201d Bradford says. \u201cIt almost [gave] me a taste for what it would be like to be a new faculty member because he was brand new to the world of faculty, and I was his first student and only student for<\/span> approximately <\/span>18 months.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The new opportunity had Bradford wondering if being a faculty member was in his future. To his surprise, the role was closer than he imagined.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n When a professor\u2019s retirement led to a faculty search, Bradford applied and interviewed for the role. A few days after Bradford passed his Ph.D. defense, he learned that the committee had selected him for the position.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The transition from being a doctoral student to a faculty member was a quick one. For a while \u2014 and even at times now \u2014 Bradford can be misidentified as a student. His initial challenge was that he was sitting in the classroom as a student not too long ago. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c[My challenge] was more confidence in knowing that I\u2019d reviewed the material enough and know my teaching content to be good enough to the extent that I can teach it confidently and the students can see me as an authority figure,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n His peers, once his professors, helped to provide mentorship while Bradford navigated the new role. Eleven years as a faculty member, and today Bradford\u2019s research has garnered more attention. He has received around $4 million in funding since he began as a faculty member. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bradford Research Group has a big focus on a small material: carbon nanotubes. Typically, they are small in diameter, and the length is short. You can only see them under a microscope. In Bradford\u2019s group, students are creating a version that is much longer. Although the carbon nanotubes are still tiny, you can now see them without a microscope.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n For the world of textiles, this upgrade in length allows researchers to use carbon nanotubes as they would other nonwoven fabrics. The applications range from filtration solutions to smart textiles.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat uniqueness has spurred a lot of my research grants,\u201d Bradford says.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bradford has one student applying the yarn-like properties into knitted shirts and wristbands to provide the same biometrics as an EKG \u2014 without the sticky residue.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s so much more to share about the work happening in the college, and Bradford is excited to see that others are starting to take notice. He\u2019s also thrilled to see the evolution of the Senior Design program. Students experience the benefits of working with industry-leading companies. Companies also comment on the preparedness of students.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bradford is a proud alumnus, and he enjoys equipping students to become better researchers \u2014 and problem-solvers. Upon graduation, they will have plenty of places to make a difference.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPeople don\u2019t realize the breadth of the textile industry,\u201d Bradford says. \u201cThere are thousands of companies trying to solve textile-related challenges.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":"\n\n\n\n\n By Jessica Roulhac<\/p>\n\n\n\n For <\/span>Professor of Textile Engineering Philip Bradford \u201905, \u201907, \u201910<\/span><\/a>, one program helped to seal the deal for applying to NC State: the <\/span>Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP)<\/span><\/a>. Today, he highlights STEP in his role as director of the textile engineering program in the Wilson College of Textiles. The program can be a game-changer for high school students.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n From the <\/span>Senior Design<\/span><\/a> labs to the <\/span>Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC)<\/span><\/a>, Bradford knows that once students are on campus, it will be hard to walk away. For Bradford, the program made it that much easier to decide that his next step would be applying to NC State.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen I talk to students at the recruiting events we have, I always encourage them to [also] attend STEP because it\u2019s going to give them the experience that\u2019s 10 times better than just coming to an open house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n STEP started something special in Bradford\u2019s NC State journey. He has earned each of his degrees from the university. Bradford has a bachelor\u2019s degree in <\/span>textile engineering<\/span><\/a>. He has a dual master\u2019s degree in textile engineering and materials science and engineering. He received his doctorate in materials science and engineering. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nStaying close to home<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
A partnership and a new path<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Carbon nanotubes: Now you see them<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Staying close to home<\/h6>\n\n\n\n