Textile Technology: A day in the life of an MS in Textile Technology student

The post below is written by Graduate Assistant and current Textile Technology student Shilpa Barua about her experience as an MS in Textile Technology graduate student.

My enthusiasm for textiles led me to Philly. In 2023, I completed my undergraduate degree in textile design from the National Institute of Fashion Technology in India and decided to further my academic journey with a master's degree. I was aware of Philadelphia University, now Thomas Jefferson University, for their textiles programs during my undergraduate studies and aspired to join the institution.

I decided to embark on a new journey with the MS Textile Technology program at Jefferson. The reason was very simple, the history of the school and its legacy. This program offered exactly what I wanted to learn. It has given me a comprehensive knowledge of the textile industry. This helps students like me navigate the pool of options in the industry and helps to shape my career. It is interesting that not only do we learn the theoretical aspects of textile construction but also understand the engineering by making and developing these textiles and consider the important aspect the end-use and quality assurance. This program gives one freedom to explore science and creativity with a wonderful collaborative environment.

Throughout my course period, I learned about non-woven engineering, advanced woven structure, knit technology, a deep level of fiber and yarns, dyeing and finishing, and product evaluation by using standardized test methods. Biomaterials engineering is another very important subject that goes over current developments and research methodology. Currently, I am learning about textile composites and industrial textiles in a course where we meet industry experts to understand the ongoing technologies and development.

Interestingly, the idea for my capstone emerged from two of my favorite subjects. The "Coloration, Dyeing and Finishing" course presented the problem statement while I was working on a class project, and biomaterials engineering provided the framework for executing the research with well-defined objectives and material understanding. I am doing a literature review on Marigold dye: this research expands the understanding of Marigold dye’s optimal dyeing properties across various textiles and techniques, addressing gaps in current knowledge. It evaluates the sustainability aspects of Marigold dye, contributing to the growing body of knowledge on eco-friendly and low-impact natural dyes in the textile industry. It is fair to say that the coursework is designed to spark curiosity and provide a structured path to answering complex questions

I am happy to learn and expand my horizon of knowledge from here on hoping to make a positive impact on the textile industry. This place has made me more conscious about my journey as a textile technologist and a designer.