Project Number: 6435-44000-075-04
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jan 01, 2009
End Date: Dec 31, 2010

Objective:
The objective of this research is to study fundamental issues on the requirements to achieve and maintain American Society for Testing and Materials/International Organization for Standards (ASTM/ISO) specified conditions for textile testing laboratories. A component of the objective is to examine the ways to monitor laboratory environmental conditions in order to determine when specified conditions have been achieved. Additionally, the best practices for the maintenance of the environmental conditions must be studied. The results from this research will provide guidelines for textile testing laboratories which will help standardize practices and reduce sources of error between laboratories. Consistent practices in the conditioning and testing of textile samples will benefit the global marketing and consumption of cotton.

Approach:
The approach for this project will combine a look at the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) control theory at play in an environmentally controlled test lab with experimental work to determine proper approaches for “out of condition” events in the laboratory. HVAC control theory will be examined to provide guidance on sensor placement for both control and monitoring of laboratory conditions. Experimental work will be performed in a conditioning room to replicate real-world “out of condition” events and to monitor the effect of various responses to laboratory testing.