The Educational Edge In Nonwovens
A Change Would Do You Good
While not all textile schools, colleges and universities are adding new nonwovens courses to their curriculums, many have primed and tweaked See tweak.  existing classes as the industry has grown. According to Patricia Annis, associate professor in textile sciences for the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors at the University of Georgia,Athens, GA, a good deal has changed on the syllabus of the upper level nonwovens science and technology course she developed a few years ago. "The course has been updated as new technology and new applications are developed and there is less emphasis on dry laid web formation, chemical bonding and more emphasis on direct laid webs and new methods of web consolidation," Dr. Annis detailed. 'There is also more emphasis on finishing and conversion, as well as testing and analysis and structure and property relationships. A laboratory component also has been added to the class and plant tours are part of course requirements. The class could easily take two semesters; however, at this point it is only one semester." Keeping textile and nonwovens courses current with the latest trends and issues concerning the nonwovens industry can be a difficult task if the faculty and staff are not knowledgeable about the business. At the Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Design for the University of Rhode lsland,Kingston, RI, newer members of its teaching staff have helped to broaden the scope of what is taught about nonwovens in several of its textile classes. "We have new faculty that bring their own twist on things and they try to stay on the cutting edge as much as they can," said professor Martin Bide. "The introductory course to the textile program for freshmen has become more product-oriented and has moved away from the consumer side, therefore allowing it to include more nonwovens."